STOCK TITAN

Zhihu (NYSE: ZH) turns 2025 non-GAAP profit amid revenue and GAAP loss pressure

Filing Impact
(Neutral)
Filing Sentiment
(Neutral)
Form Type
6-K

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Zhihu Inc. reported unaudited results showing a mixed picture for the fourth quarter and full year 2025. In the fourth quarter, total revenues fell to RMB643.5 million (US$92.0 million) from RMB859.2 million a year earlier, with declines across marketing services, paid membership, and other revenues. Higher operating expenses and a RMB126.3 million (US$18.1 million) goodwill impairment led to a net loss of RMB210.8 million (US$30.1 million), versus net income of RMB86.4 million in the prior-year quarter.

For full year 2025, revenues decreased to RMB2,749.0 million (US$393.1 million) from RMB3,598.9 million, but cost of revenues fell 22.3% and total operating expenses dropped 19.0%. On this leaner cost base, Zhihu delivered its first-ever full-year non-GAAP profitability: adjusted net income was RMB37.9 million (US$5.4 million), compared with an adjusted net loss of RMB96.3 million in 2024, even though GAAP net loss widened slightly to RMB195.2 million (US$27.9 million). The company ended 2025 with RMB4,451.2 million (US$636.5 million) in cash, term deposits, restricted cash and short-term investments and had repurchased 31.1 million Class A shares for US$66.5 million.

Positive

  • First full-year non-GAAP profitability: Adjusted net income reached RMB37.9 million (US$5.4 million) in 2025, a sharp improvement from an adjusted net loss of RMB96.3 million in 2024, signaling a structurally leaner cost base.
  • Significant cost reductions: Cost of revenues fell 22.3% to RMB1,101.3 million and total operating expenses declined 19.0% to RMB2,155.0 million in 2025, improving operating leverage despite lower revenue.
  • Strong liquidity and buybacks: Cash, term deposits, restricted cash and short-term investments totaled RMB4,451.2 million (US$636.5 million) at year-end 2025, and the company repurchased 31.1 million Class A shares for US$66.5 million.

Negative

  • Material revenue contraction: Total revenues declined to RMB2,749.0 million (US$393.1 million) in 2025 from RMB3,598.9 million, with notable drops in marketing services, paid membership, and other revenue streams.
  • Persistent GAAP losses: GAAP net loss widened to RMB195.2 million (US$27.9 million) in 2025 from RMB169.0 million, and fourth-quarter net loss was RMB210.8 million (US$30.1 million) versus net income a year earlier.
  • Goodwill impairment: The company recorded a RMB126.3 million (US$18.1 million) goodwill impairment in 2025 related to prior acquisitions, reflecting lower valuations under current market conditions.

Insights

Revenue is shrinking, but costs and capital show meaningful structural improvement.

Zhihu saw 2025 revenue fall to RMB2,749.0 million from RMB3,598.9 million, with double-digit declines in marketing services, paid membership, and other revenues. Despite this, cost of revenues dropped 22.3% and operating expenses fell 19.0%, reflecting disciplined spending.

These cuts, together with higher investment income of RMB231.9 million, turned an adjusted net loss of RMB96.3 million in 2024 into adjusted net income of RMB37.9 million in 2025. However, GAAP net loss still widened to RMB195.2 million, driven partly by a goodwill impairment of RMB126.3 million linked to prior acquisitions.

Liquidity remains strong, with RMB4,451.2 million in cash, term deposits, restricted cash and short-term investments as of December 31, 2025, and share repurchases totaling US$66.5 million for 31.1 million Class A shares. Subsequent disclosures may clarify whether revenue pressure stabilizes while the new cost structure holds.

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

 

FORM 6-K

 

 

 

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER

PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 UNDER

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the month of March 2026

 

Commission File Number: 001-40253

 

 

 

Zhihu Inc.

(Registrant’s Name)

 

 

 

18 Xueqing Road

Haidian District, Beijing 100083

People’s Republic of China

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

 

Form 20-F x     Form 40-F ¨

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.   Description
99.1   Press Release—Zhihu Inc. Reports Unaudited Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2025 Financial Results
99.2   Announcement—Annual Results Announcement for the Year Ended December 31, 2025

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

  

  Zhihu Inc.
       
  By : /s/ Han Wang
  Name : Han Wang
  Title : Chief Financial Officer

 

Date: March 25, 2026

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

Zhihu Inc. Reports Unaudited Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2025 Financial Results

 

BEIJING, China, March 25, 2026 — Zhihu Inc. (“Zhihu” or the “Company”) (NYSE: ZH; HKEX: 2390), a leading online content community in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2025.

 

Fourth Quarter 2025 Highlights

 

·Total revenues were RMB643.5 million (US$92.0 million), compared with RMB859.2 million in the same period of 2024.

 

·Gross margin was 53.6%, compared with 62.9% in the same period of 2024.

 

·Net loss was RMB210.8 million (US$30.1 million), compared with a net income of RMB86.4 million in the same period of 2024.

 

·Adjusted net loss (non-GAAP)[1] was RMB39.4 million (US$5.6 million), compared with an adjusted net income of RMB97.1 million in the same period of 2024.

 

·Average monthly subscribing members[2] were 12.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2025.

 

Fiscal Year 2025 Highlights

 

·Total revenues were RMB2,749.0 million (US$393.1 million), compared with RMB3,598.9 million in 2024.

 

·Gross margin was 59.9%, compared with 60.6% in 2024.

 

·Net loss was RMB195.2 million (US$27.9 million), compared with RMB169.0 million in 2024.

 

·Adjusted net income (non-GAAP)[1] was RMB37.9 million (US$5.4 million), compared with an adjusted net loss of RMB96.3 million in 2024.

 

“2025 marked a structural inflection point for Zhihu. We achieved our first-ever full-year non-GAAP profitability, building on our initial quarterly non-GAAP profit in the fourth quarter of 2024,” said Mr. Yuan Zhou, chairman and chief executive officer of Zhihu. “This milestone validates that our shift towards high-quality has strengthened both our operating model and earnings resilience. In the fourth quarter, we drove solid progress across both our community ecosystem and commercialization efficiency. Our DAUs spent more than 41 minutes per day on average on Zhihu, while authentic, expert-driven, high-quality content continued to expand across verticals. Revenue trends improved sequentially, with a meaningfully narrower quarter-over-quarter decline. Entering 2026, while solidifying the foundation of our core business, we are accelerating our commercialization explorations related to AI. By leveraging our vast expert network, trusted content assets, and diverse real-user scenarios, we are building a differentiated moat around our community and enhancing Zhihu’s strategic position within the broader AI ecosystem.”

 

1

 

 

“2025 represents a structural upgrade in Zhihu’s financial profile,” said Mr. Han Wang, chief financial officer of Zhihu. “We delivered our first full year of non-GAAP profitability through sustained cost discipline, improved operating leverage, and tighter expense control, all while maintaining healthy gross margins. Entering 2026, we are focused on further enhancing earnings quality and scalability by prioritizing higher-margin, more capital-efficient revenue streams. At the same time, we remain committed to disciplined capital allocation, including share repurchases, to support long-term shareholder value.”

 

Fourth Quarter 2025 Financial Results

 

Total revenues were RMB643.5 million (US$92.0 million), compared with RMB859.2 million in the same period of 2024.

 

Marketing services revenue was RMB234.8 million (US$33.6 million), compared with RMB315.9 million in the same period of 2024. The decrease was primarily due to our proactive and ongoing refinement of service offerings.

 

Paid membership revenue was RMB333.5 million (US$47.7 million), compared with RMB420.2 million in the same period of 2024. The decrease was primarily due to a decline in the number of our average monthly subscribing members.

 

Other revenues[3] were RMB75.2 million (US$10.8 million), compared with RMB123.1 million in the same period of 2024. The decrease was primarily due to the strategic refinement of our vocational training business, partially offset by the growth of revenues generated from our intellectual property derivatives business.

 

Cost of revenues decreased by 6.2% to RMB298.7 million (US$42.7 million) from RMB318.5 million in the same period of 2024. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in personnel-related expenses.

 

Gross profit was RMB344.8 million (US$49.3 million), compared with RMB540.7 million in the same period of 2024. Gross margin was 53.6%, compared with 62.9% in the same period of 2024. The decrease in gross margin was primarily due to our continued efforts in broadening and enhancing content offerings for all of our users.

 

Total operating expenses were RMB608.7 million (US$87.0 million), compared with RMB528.8 million in the same period of 2024.

 

Selling and marketing expenses decreased by 13.0% to RMB275.2 million (US$39.4 million) from RMB316.2 million in the same period of 2024. The decrease was primarily due to more disciplined marketing spending and a decrease in personnel-related expenses.

 

Research and development expenses decreased by 16.0% to RMB123.1 million (US$17.6 million) from RMB146.6 million in the same period of 2024. The decrease was primarily attributable to improvements in our research and development efficiency.

 

2

 

 

General and administrative expenses were RMB84.0 million (US$12.0 million), compared with RMB66.0 million in the same period of 2024. The increase was primarily attributable to higher share-based compensation expenses.

 

Impairment of goodwill was RMB 126.3 million (US$18.1 million), compared with nil in the same period of 2024. The impairment was primarily attributable to goodwill associated with our prior acquisitions, mainly driven by lower valuations amid the current market conditions.

 

Loss from operations was RMB263.9 million (US$37.7 million), compared with an income from operations of RMB11.9 million in the same period of 2024.

 

Adjusted loss from operations (non-GAAP)[1] was RMB89.3 million (US$12.8 million), compared with an adjusted income from operations of RMB23.1 million in the same period of 2024.

 

Net loss was RMB210.8 million (US$30.1 million), compared with a net income of RMB86.4 million in the same period of 2024.

 

Adjusted net loss (non-GAAP)[1] was RMB39.4 million (US$5.6 million), compared with an adjusted net income of RMB97.1 million in the same period of 2024.

 

Diluted net loss per American depositary share (“ADS”) was RMB2.66 (US$0.38), compared with a diluted net income per ADS of RMB1.00 in the same period of 2024.

 

Cash and cash equivalents, term deposits, restricted cash and short-term investments

 

As of December 31, 2025, the Company had cash and cash equivalents, current and non-current term deposits, restricted cash and short-term investments of RMB4,451.2 million (US$636.5 million), compared with RMB4,859.0 million as of December 31, 2024.

 

Fiscal Year 2025 Financial Results

 

Total revenues were RMB2,749.0 million (US$393.1 million), compared with RMB3,598.9 million in 2024.

 

Marketing services revenue was RMB843.9 million (US$120.7 million), compared with RMB1,247.1 million in 2024. The decrease was primarily due to our proactive and ongoing refinement of service offerings.

 

Paid membership revenue was RMB1,538.9 million (US$220.1 million), compared with RMB1,762.0 million in 2024. The decrease was primarily due to a decline in the number of our average monthly subscribing members.

 

Other revenues[3] were RMB366.1 million (US$52.4 million), compared with RMB589.8 million in 2024. The decrease was primarily due to the strategic refinement of our vocational training business.

 

3

 

 

Cost of revenues decreased by 22.3% to RMB1,101.3 million (US$157.5 million) from RMB1,418.1 million in 2024. The decrease was primarily due to reduced content and operating costs associated with the decline in our revenues and a decrease in personnel-related expenses.

 

Gross profit was RMB1,647.7 million (US$235.6 million), compared with RMB2,180.8 million in 2024. Gross margin was 59.9%, compared with 60.6% in 2024.

 

Total operating expenses decreased by 19.0% to RMB2,155.0 million (US$308.2 million) from RMB2,661.9 million in 2024.

 

Selling and marketing expenses decreased by 21.7% to RMB1,252.3 million (US$179.1 million) from RMB1,599.2 million in 2024. The decrease was primarily due to more disciplined marketing spending and a decrease in personnel-related expenses.

 

Research and development expenses decreased by 28.3% to RMB525.0 million (US$75.1 million) from RMB732.6 million in 2024. The decrease was primarily attributable to improvements in our research and development efficiency.

 

General and administrative expenses decreased by 23.9% to RMB251.4 million (US$36.0 million) from RMB330.2 million in 2024. The decrease was primarily attributable to a decline in the allowance for expected credit losses on trade receivables.

 

Impairment of goodwill was RMB 126.3 million (US$18.1 million), compared with nil in 2024. The impairment was primarily attributable to goodwill associated with our prior acquisitions, mainly driven by lower valuations amid the current market conditions.

 

Loss from operations was RMB507.3 million (US$72.5 million), compared with RMB481.1 million in 2024.

 

Adjusted loss from operations (non-GAAP)[1] narrowed by 33.6% to RMB269.2 million (US$38.5 million) from RMB405.4 million in 2024.

 

Investment income was RMB231.9 million (US$33.2 million), compared with RMB65.4 million in 2024. The increase was primarily attributable to unrealized gains as a result of re-measuring the fair value of our investment in a privately held company associated with an observable price change in 2025.

 

Net loss was RMB195.2 million (US$27.9 million), compared with RMB169.0 million in 2024.

 

Adjusted net income (non-GAAP)[1] was RMB37.9 million (US$5.4 million), compared with an adjusted net loss of RMB96.3 million in 2024.

 

Diluted net loss per ADS was RMB2.41 (US$0.34), compared with RMB1.88 in 2024.

 

4

 

 

Share Repurchase Programs

 

As of December 31, 2025, the Company had repurchased 31.1 million Class A ordinary shares (including Class A ordinary shares underlying the ADSs) for a total price of US$66.5 million on both the New York Stock Exchange and The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited under the Company’s existing share repurchase programs.

 

[1] Adjusted income/(loss) from operations and adjusted net income/(loss) are non-GAAP financial measures. For more information on the non-GAAP financial measures, please see the section “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and the table captioned “Unaudited Reconciliations of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results” set forth at the end of this press release.

 

[2] Monthly subscribing members refers to the number of members who subscribed for our membership packages in a specified month. Average monthly subscribing members for a period is calculated by dividing the sum of monthly subscribing members for each month during the specified period by the number of months in such period.

 

[3] Starting from the third quarter of 2025, the Company simplified its revenue stream by reclassifying vocational training into “others” to align with its overall strategy. Revenues for the applicable comparison periods have been retrospectively reclassified.

 

Conference Call

 

The Company's management will host a conference call at 7:00 A.M. U.S. Eastern Time on Wednesday, March 25, 2026 (7:00 P.M. Beijing/Hong Kong Time on Wednesday, March 25, 2026) to discuss the results.

 

All participants wishing to join the conference call must pre-register online using the link provided below. Once the pre-registration has been completed, each participant will receive a set of dial-in numbers and a unique access PIN which can be used to join the conference call.

 

Registration Link:

https://register-conf.media-server.com/register/BI08008b110630454896e9325bb3268f90

 

Additionally, a live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available on the Company’s investor relations website at https://ir.zhihu.com.

 

About Zhihu Inc.

 

Zhihu Inc. (NYSE: ZH; HKEX: 2390) is a leading online content community where people come to find solutions, make decisions, seek inspiration, and have fun. Since the initial launch in 2010, Zhihu has grown into the largest Q&A-inspired online content community in China. For more information, please visit https://ir.zhihu.com.

 

5

 

 

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

 

In evaluating the business, the Company considers and uses non-GAAP financial measures, such as adjusted income/(loss) from operations and adjusted net income/(loss), to supplement the review and assessment of its operating performance. The Company defines non-GAAP financial measures by excluding the impact of share-based compensation expenses, amortization and impairment of intangible assets resulting from business acquisitions, impairment of goodwill and the tax effects of the non-GAAP adjustments, which are non-cash expenses. The Company believes that the non-GAAP financial measures facilitate comparisons of operating performance from period to period and company to company by adjusting for potential impacts of items, which the Company’s management considers to be indicative of its operating performance. The Company believes that the non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating the Company’s consolidated results of operations in the same manner as they help the Company’s management.

 

The non-GAAP financial measures are not defined under U.S. GAAP and are not presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The presentation of the non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies. The use of the non-GAAP financial measures has limitations as an analytical tool, and investors should not consider them in isolation from or as a substitute for analysis of our results of operations or financial condition as reported under U.S. GAAP. For more information on the non-GAAP financial measures, please see the tables captioned “Unaudited Reconciliations of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results” set forth at the end of this press release.

 

Exchange Rate Information

 

This announcement contains translations of certain Renminbi amounts into U.S. dollars at a specified rate solely for the convenience of the reader. Unless otherwise noted, all translations from Renminbi to U.S. dollars were made at a rate of RMB6.9931 to US$1.00, the exchange rate in effect as of December 31, 2025 as set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board.

 

Safe Harbor Statement

 

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the Company's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, and a number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “target,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “potential,” “continue,” “is/are likely to,” or other similar expressions. Further information regarding these and other risks, uncertainties or factors is included in the Company’s filings with the SEC and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake any duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law.

 

6

 

 

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

 

Zhihu Inc.

Email: ir@zhihu.com

 

Christensen Advisory

Roger Hu

Tel: +86-10-5900-1548

Email: zhihu@christensencomms.com

 

7

 

 

ZHIHU INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(All amounts in thousands, except share, ADS, per share data and per ADS data)

 

   For the Three Months Ended  For the Year Ended 
   December 31,
2024
  September 30,
2025
  December 31,
2025
  December 31,
2024
  December 31,
2025
 
   RMB  RMB  RMB  US$  RMB  RMB  US$ 
Revenues:                      
Marketing services   315,940   189,388   234,808   33,577   1,247,092   843,933   120,681 
Paid membership   420,215   385,625   333,469   47,685   1,761,978   1,538,942   220,066 
Others   123,057   83,916   75,239   10,759   589,835   366,129   52,356 
Total revenues   859,212   658,929   643,516   92,021   3,598,905   2,749,004   393,103 
Cost of revenues   (318,547)  (255,288)  (298,699)  (42,713)  (1,418,076)  (1,101,259)  (157,478)
Gross profit   540,665   403,641   344,817   49,308   2,180,829   1,647,745   235,625 
                              
Selling and marketing expenses   (316,198)  (330,144)  (275,243)  (39,359)  (1,599,186)  (1,252,274)  (179,073)
Research and development expenses   (146,613)  (114,362)  (123,085)  (17,601)  (732,553)  (524,996)  (75,073)
General and administrative expenses   (65,988)  (58,950)  (84,009)  (12,013)  (330,173)  (251,419)  (35,952)
Impairment of goodwill   -   -   (126,344)  (18,067)  -   (126,344)  (18,067)
Total operating expenses   (528,799)  (503,456)  (608,681)  (87,040)  (2,661,912)  (2,155,033)  (308,165)
                              
Income/(Loss) from operations   11,866   (99,815)  (263,864)  (37,732)  (481,083)  (507,288)  (72,540)
                              
Other income/(expenses):                             
Investment income   13,049   37,050   34,629   4,952   65,441   231,864   33,156 
Interest income   26,311   17,306   13,379   1,913   114,964   71,542   10,230 
Fair value change of financial instruments   30,698   -   -   -   78,405   -   - 
Exchange gains/(losses)   1,701   (43)  (56)  (8)  1,013   (233)  (33)
Others, net   113   (391)  (2,487)  (356)  42,902   30,641   4,382 
                              
Income/(Loss) before income tax   83,738   (45,893)  (218,399)  (31,231)  (178,358)  (173,474)  (24,805)
Income tax benefits/(expenses)   2,663   (850)  7,609   1,088   9,391   (21,687)  (3,101)
Net income/(loss)   86,401   (46,743)  (210,790)  (30,143)  (168,967)  (195,161)  (27,906)
Net (income)/loss attributable to noncontrolling interests   (127)  88   2,156   308   (2,835)  2,260   323 
Net income/(loss) attributable to Zhihu Inc.’s shareholders   86,274   (46,655)  (208,634)  (29,835)  (171,802)  (192,901)  (27,583)
                              
Net income/(loss) per share                             
Basic   0.34   (0.19)  (0.89)  (0.13)  (0.63)  (0.80)  (0.11)
Diluted   0.33   (0.19)  (0.89)  (0.13)  (0.63)  (0.80)  (0.11)
                              
Net income/(loss) per ADS (One ADS represents three Class A ordinary shares)                             
Basic   1.01   (0.58)  (2.66)  (0.38)  (1.88)  (2.41)  (0.34)
Diluted   1.00   (0.58)  (2.66)  (0.38)  (1.88)  (2.41)  (0.34)
                              
Weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding                             
Basic   256,257,971   239,496,037   235,516,843   235,516,843   273,560,865   240,043,649   240,043,649 
Diluted   259,990,323   239,496,037   235,516,843   235,516,843   273,560,865   240,043,649   240,043,649 

 

8

 

 

ZHIHU INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)

(All amounts in thousands, except share, ADS, per share data and per ADS data)

 

   For the Three Months Ended  For the Year Ended 
   December 31,
2024
  September 30,
2025
  December 31,
2025
  December 31,
2024
  December 31,
2025
 
   RMB  RMB  RMB  US$  RMB  RMB  US$ 
Share-based compensation expenses included in:                             
Cost of revenues   (314)  110   157   22   3,949   (595)  (85)
Selling and marketing expenses   269   (434)  497   71   (1,975)  31   4 
Research and development expenses   (6,436)  2,825   4,145   593   7,916   5,501   787 
General and administrative expenses   14,261   20,352   29,503   4,219   49,372   82,346   11,775 

 

9

 

 

ZHIHU INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(All amounts in thousands)

 

   As of December 31,
2024
  As of December 31,
2025
 
   RMB  RMB  US$ 
ASSETS          
Current assets:             
Cash and cash equivalents   3,999,160   3,369,154   481,783 
Term deposits   320,088   30,000   4,290 
Short-term investments   538,816   840,938   120,253 
Restricted cash   900   1,078   154 
Trade receivables   420,636   357,998   51,193 
Amounts due from related parties   41,588   25,570   3,656 
Prepayments and other current assets   163,446   107,265   15,339 
Total current assets   5,484,634   4,732,003   676,668 
Non-current assets:             
Property and equipment, net   8,490   5,349   765 
Intangible assets, net   54,534   29,588   4,231 
Goodwill   126,344   -   - 
Long-term investments, net   51,176   158,480   22,662 
Term deposits   -   210,000   30,030 
Right-of-use assets    7,151   42,063   6,015 
Other non-current assets    623   13,391   1,915 
Total non-current assets   248,318   458,871   65,618 
Total assets   5,732,952   5,190,874   742,286 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY             
Current liabilities:             
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities   835,688   681,307   97,426 
Salary and welfare payables   275,260   188,038   26,889 
Taxes payables    22,081   16,285   2,329 
Contract liabilities   235,539   186,034   26,603 
Amounts due to related parties   6,825   16,135   2,307 
Short term lease liabilities    17,308   21,382   3,058 
Short-term borrowings   -   35,000   5,005 
Other current liabilities   131,955   124,233   17,765 
Total current liabilities   1,524,656   1,268,414   181,382 
Non-current liabilities:             
Long term lease liabilities   1,823   15,592   2,230 
Deferred tax liabilities   6,830   27,174   3,885 
Other non-current liabilities   3,957   4,650   665 
Total non-current liabilities   12,610   47,416   6,780 
Total liabilities   1,537,266   1,315,830   188,162 
              
Total Zhihu Inc.’s shareholders’ equity   4,136,123   3,804,136   543,984 
Noncontrolling interests   59,563   70,908   10,140 
Total shareholders’ equity   4,195,686   3,875,044   554,124 
              
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity   5,732,952   5,190,874   742,286 

 

10

 

 

ZHIHU INC.

UNAUDITED RECONCILIATIONS OF GAAP AND NON-GAAP RESULTS

(All amounts in thousands)

 

   For the Three Months Ended  For the Year Ended 
   December 31,
2024
  September 30,
2025
  December 31,
2025
  December 31,
2024
  December 31,
2025
 
   RMB  RMB  RMB  US$  RMB  RMB  US$ 
Income/(Loss) from operations   11,866   (99,815)  (263,864)  (37,732)  (481,083)  (507,288)  (72,540)
Add:                       -     
Share-based compensation expenses   7,780   22,853   34,302   4,905   59,262   87,283   12,481 
Amortization and impairment of intangible assets resulting from business acquisitions   3,490   3,490   13,950   1,995   16,460   24,420   3,492 
Impairment of goodwill   -   -   126,344   18,067   -   126,344   18,067 
Adjusted income/(loss) from operations   23,136   (73,472)  (89,268)  (12,765)  (405,361)  (269,241)  (38,500)
                              
Net income/(loss)   86,401   (46,743)  (210,790)  (30,143)  (168,967)  (195,161)  (27,906)
Add:                             
Share-based compensation expenses   7,780   22,853   34,302   4,905   59,262   87,283   12,481 
Amortization and impairment of intangible assets resulting from business acquisitions   3,490   3,490   13,950   1,995   16,460   24,420   3,492 
Impairment of goodwill   -   -   126,344   18,067   -   126,344   18,067 
Tax effects on non-GAAP adjustments   (600)  (600)  (3,215)  (460)  (3,025)  (5,015)  (717)
Adjusted net income/(loss)   97,071   (21,000)  (39,409)  (5,636)  (96,270)  37,871   5,417 

 

11

FAQ

How did Zhihu (ZH) perform financially in the fourth quarter of 2025?

Zhihu reported fourth-quarter 2025 revenues of RMB643.5 million (US$92.0 million), down from RMB859.2 million a year earlier. A goodwill impairment and higher operating expenses led to a net loss of RMB210.8 million (US$30.1 million), compared with net income of RMB86.4 million previously.

What were Zhihu’s full-year 2025 revenues and profitability?

For 2025, Zhihu generated revenues of RMB2,749.0 million (US$393.1 million), down from RMB3,598.9 million in 2024. GAAP net loss was RMB195.2 million (US$27.9 million), but adjusted net income turned positive at RMB37.9 million (US$5.4 million), versus an adjusted net loss previously.

Did Zhihu (ZH) achieve non-GAAP profitability in 2025?

Yes. Zhihu reported its first full year of non-GAAP profitability in 2025. Adjusted net income reached RMB37.9 million (US$5.4 million), a significant turnaround from an adjusted net loss of RMB96.3 million in 2024, driven by cost reductions and higher investment income.

How strong is Zhihu’s cash position at the end of 2025?

As of December 31, 2025, Zhihu held RMB4,451.2 million (US$636.5 million) in cash and cash equivalents, term deposits, restricted cash, and short-term investments. This sizable liquidity base supports ongoing operations, strategic initiatives, and capital allocation, including existing share repurchase programs.

What impacted Zhihu’s profitability in 2025 despite cost cuts?

Zhihu’s GAAP profitability was pressured by declining revenues and a RMB126.3 million (US$18.1 million) goodwill impairment tied to prior acquisitions. While cost of revenues and operating expenses fell sharply, these factors contributed to a GAAP net loss of RMB195.2 million (US$27.9 million).

How much stock did Zhihu (ZH) repurchase under its programs?

By December 31, 2025, Zhihu had repurchased 31.1 million Class A ordinary shares, including shares underlying ADSs, for a total consideration of US$66.5 million. These repurchases were executed on both the New York Stock Exchange and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

2 documents
Zhihu Inc

OTC:ZHIHF

View ZHIHF Stock Overview

ZHIHF Rankings

ZHIHF Latest SEC Filings

ZHIHF Stock Data

148.11M