Sunlands Technology Group Announces Unaudited Third Quarter 2025 Financial Results

BEIJING, Nov. 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Sunlands Technology Group (NYSE: STG) (“Sunlands” or the “Company”), a leader in China’s adult online education market and China’s adult personal interest learning market, today announced its unaudited financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2025.

Third Quarter 2025
Financial and Operational Snapshots

  • Net revenues were RMB523.0 million (US$73.5 million), compared to RMB491.3 million in the third quarter of 2024.
  • Gross billings (non-GAAP) were RMB349.2 million (US$49.0 million), compared to RMB360.3 million in the third quarter of 2024.
  • Gross profit was RMB462.7 million (US$65.0 million), compared to RMB409.2 million in the third quarter of 2024.
  • Net income was RMB125.4 million (US$17.6 million), compared to RMB89.3 million in the third quarter of 2024.
  • Net income margin1 was 24.0% in the third quarter of 2025, compared to 18.2% in the third quarter of 2024.
  • New student enrollments2 were 137,493, compared to 158,395 in the third quarter of 2024.
  • As of September 30, 2025, the Company’s deferred revenue balance was RMB695.5 million (US$97.7 million), compared to RMB916.5 million as of December 31, 2024.

“We’re pleased to see that the Company has now entered a phase of steady and healthy growth. Our performance in this quarter once again underscores the resilience of our business model and the effective execution of our strategic roadmap. We delivered net revenues of RMB523.0 million, coupled with a pronounced acceleration in profitability, as net income surged 40.5% year-over-year to RMB125.4 million. These achivements further validated the durability and scalability of our operations. Our strategic pivot towards high-margin, demand-driven course categories continues to yield tangible financial benefits.

Our focus extends beyond short-term financial performance to the accumulation of intrinsic capabilities. Through refined management and structural cost control, we have established strong operating leverage while maintaining consistent investment in innovation and teaching quality. We believe that healthy cash flow, organizational agility, and a learner-centered product mindset will remain the core pillars of Sunlands’ competitiveness in this new stage,” said Mr. Tongbo Liu, Chief Executive Officer of Sunlands.

Mr. Hangyu Li, Finance Director of Sunlands, commented, “The third quarter results underscore the Company’s focus on profitable growth and operational excellence. Net revenues rose 6.5% year-over-year to RMB523.0 million, driven by strong interest-based course performance. Gross profit climbed 13.1% year-over-year to RMB462.7 million, with operating expenses down 5.5%, driving net income to RMB125.4 million. The balance sheet is robust, with ample cash and positive cash flows from operating actives, reflecting a healthy core business. The gross billings per new student enrollment for interest, professional skills and professional certification preparation courses grew 11.7% year-over-year in the quarter, reflecting steady user acquisition momentum despite a more selective marketing approach. Leveraging silver economy tailwinds and tech innovation, the company will continue creating value for users and shareholders.”

Financial Results for
the Third Quarter
of 2025

Net Revenues

In the third quarter of 2025, net revenues increased by 6.5% to RMB523.0 million (US$73.5 million) from RMB491.3 million in the third quarter of 2024. The increase was primarily driven by shorter average service periods, leading to an increase in revenue recognized during 2025.

Cost of Revenues

Cost of revenues decreased by 26.5% to RMB60.3 million (US$8.5 million) in the third quarter of 2025 from RMB82.1 million in the third quarter of 2024. The decrease was mainly due to declined cost of revenues from sales of goods such as learning materials and books.

Gross Profit

Gross profit increased by 13.1% to RMB462.7 million (US$65.0 million) in the third quarter of 2025 from RMB409.2 million in the third quarter of 2024.

Operating Expenses

In the third quarter of 2025, operating expenses were RMB324.4 million (US$45.6 million), representing a 5.5% decrease from RMB343.4 million in the third quarter of 2024.

Sales and marketing expenses decreased by 7.7% to RMB279.7 million (US$39.3 million) in the third quarter of 2025 from RMB303.0 million in the third quarter of 2024.

General and administrative expenses increased by 4.3% to RMB36.0 million (US$5.1 million) in the third quarter of 2025 from RMB34.5 million in the third quarter of 2024.

Product development expenses increased by 48.2% to RMB8.7 million (US$1.2 million) in the third quarter of 2025 from RMB5.8 million in the third quarter of 2024. The increase was mainly due to increased compensation expenses related to headcount expansion of the Company’s product development personnel.

Net Income

Net income for the third quarter of 2025 was RMB125.4 million (US$17.6 million), as compared to RMB89.3 million in the third quarter of 2024.

Basic and Diluted Net Income
Per Share

Basic and diluted net income per share was RMB18.64 (US$2.62) in the third quarter of 2025.

Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Short-term Investments

As of September 30, 2025, the Company had RMB601.0 million (US$84.4 million) of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and RMB176.5 million (US$24.8 million) of short-term investments, as compared to RMB507.2 million of cash and cash equivalents and RMB276.0 million of short-term investments as of December 31, 2024.

Deferred Revenue

As of September 30, 2025, the Company had a deferred revenue balance of RMB695.5 million (US$97.7 million), as compared to RMB916.5 million as of December 31, 2024.

Share Repurchase

On December 6, 2021, the Company’s board of directors authorized a share repurchase program, under which the Company may repurchase up to US$15.0 million of Class A ordinary shares in the form of ADSs over the next 24 months. On December 1, 2023, the Company’s board of directors authorized to extend its share repurchase program over the next twenty-four months. As of November 18, 2025, the Company had repurchased an aggregate of 797,615 ADSs for approximately US$4.7 million under the share repurchase program.

Financial Results for the First Nine Months of 2025

Net Revenues

In the first nine months of 2025, net revenues increased by 2.9% to RMB1,549.7 million (US$217.7 million) from RMB1,506.7 million in the first nine months of 2024. The increase was primarily driven by a 1.6% growth in gross billings from interest courses.

Cost of Revenues

Cost of revenues decreased by 14.2% to RMB202.3 million (US$28.4 million) in the first nine months of 2025 from RMB235.9 million in the first nine months of 2024. The decrease was mainly due to declined cost of revenues from sales of goods such as learning materials and books, and declined compensation expenses related to headcount reduction of the Company’s teachers and mentors.

Gross Profit

Gross profit increased by 6.0% to RMB1,347.4 million (US$189.3 million) from RMB1,270.8 million in the first nine months of 2024.

Operating Expenses

In the first nine months of 2025, operating expenses were RMB1,008.1 million (US$141.6 million), representing a 1.5% decrease from RMB1,023.4 million in the first nine months of 2024.

Sales and marketing expenses decreased by 2.1% to RMB882.7 million (US$124.0 million) in the first nine months of 2025 from RMB902.1 million in the first nine months of 2024.

General and administrative expenses increased by 2.7% to RMB103.6 million (US$14.5 million) in the first nine months of 2025 from RMB100.9 million in the first nine months of 2024.

Product development expenses increased by 6.5% to RMB21.9 million (US$3.1 million) in the first nine months of 2025 from RMB20.5 million in the first nine months of 2024. The increase was mainly due to increased compensation expenses related to headcount expansion of the Company’s product development personnel.

Net Income

Net income for the first nine months of 2025 was RMB327.3 million (US$46.0 million), compared with RMB284.3 million in the first nine months of 2024.

Basic and Diluted Net Income Per Share

Basic and diluted net income per share was RMB48.50 (US$6.81) in the first nine months of 2025, compared with RMB41.52 in the first nine months of 2024.

Outlook

For the fourth quarter of 2025, Sunlands currently expects net revenues to be between RMB440 million to RMB460 million, which would represent a decrease of 4.9% to 9.0% year-over-year. The above outlook is based on the current market conditions and reflects the Company’s current and preliminary estimates of market and operating conditions and customer demand, which are all subject to substantial uncertainty.

Exchange Rate

The Company’s business is primarily conducted in China and all revenues are denominated in Renminbi (“RMB”). This announcement contains currency conversions of RMB amounts into U.S. dollars (“US$”) solely for the convenience of the reader. Unless otherwise noted, all translations from RMB to US$ are made at a rate of RMB7.1190 to US$1.00, the effective noon buying rate for September 30, 2025 as set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board. No representation is made that the RMB amounts could have been, or could be, converted, realized or settled into US$ at that rate on September 30, 2025, or at any other rate.


Conference Call and Webcast

Sunlands’ management team will host a conference call at 7:00 AM U.S. Eastern Time, (8:00 PM Beijing/Hong Kong time) on November 20, 2025, following the quarterly results announcement.

For participants who wish to join the call, please access the link provided below to complete online registration 15 minutes prior to the scheduled call start time. Upon registration, participants will receive details for the conference call, including dial-in numbers, a personal PIN and an e-mail with detailed instructions to join the conference call.

Registration Link:

https://register-conf.media-server.com/register/BI8300e40c73ed4950972d9e8dd3b708b8

Additionally, a live webcast and archive of the conference call will be available on the Investor Relations section of Sunlands’ website at https://ir.sunlands.com/.


About Sunlands

Sunlands Technology Group (NYSE: STG) (“Sunlands” or the “Company”), formerly known as Sunlands Online Education Group, is a leader in China’s adult online education market and China’s adult personal interest learning market. With a one to many live streaming platform, Sunlands offers various degree- or diploma-oriented post-secondary courses as well as professional certification preparation, professional skills and interest courses. Students can access the Company’s services either through PC or mobile applications. The Company’s online platform cultivates a personalized, interactive learning environment by featuring a virtual learning community and a vast library of educational content offerings that adapt to the learning habits of its students. Sunlands offers a unique approach to education research and development that organizes subject content into Learning Outcome Trees, the Company’s proprietary knowledge management system. Sunlands has a deep understanding of the educational needs of its prospective students and offers solutions that help them achieve their goals.


About Non-GAAP Financial Measures

We use gross billings, EBITDA, non-GAAP operating cost and expenses, non-GAAP income from operations and non-GAAP net income per share, each a non-GAAP financial measure, in evaluating our operating results and for financial and operational decision-making purposes.

We define gross billings for a specific period as the total amount of cash received for the sale of course packages, net of the total amount of refunds paid in such period. Our management uses gross billings as a performance measurement because we generally bill our students for the entire course tuition at the time of sale of our course packages and recognize revenue proportionally over a period. EBITDA is defined as net income excluding depreciation and amortization, interest expense, interest income, and income tax expenses. We believe that gross billings and EBITDA provide valuable insight into the sales of our course packages and the performance of our business.

These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation from, or as a substitute for, their most directly comparable financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation of the historical non-GAAP financial measures to their respective most directly comparable GAAP measure has been provided in the tables included below. Investors are encouraged to review the reconciliation of the historical non-GAAP financial measures to their respective most directly comparable GAAP financial measures. As gross billings, EBITDA, operating cost and expenses excluding share-based compensation expenses, general and administrative expenses excluding share-based compensation expenses, sales and marketing expenses excluding share-based compensation expenses, product development expenses excluding share-based compensation expenses, income from operations excluding share-based compensation expenses, and basic and diluted net income per share excluding share-based compensation expenses have material limitations as an analytical metric and may not be calculated in the same manner by all companies, it may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures used by other companies. In light of the foregoing limitations, you should not consider gross billings and EBITDA as a substitute for, or superior to, their respective most directly comparable financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. We encourage investors and others to review our financial information in its entirety and not rely on a single financial measure.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements made under the “safe harbor” provisions of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “confident” and similar statements. Sunlands may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its reports filed with or furnished to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Any statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Sunlands’ beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements that involve factors, risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such factors and risks include, but not limited to the following: Sunlands’ goals and strategies; its expectations regarding demand for and market acceptance of its brand and services; its ability to retain and increase student enrollments; its ability to offer new courses and educational content; its ability to improve teaching quality and students’ learning results; its ability to improve sales and marketing efficiency and effectiveness; its ability to engage, train and retain new faculty members; its future business development, results of operations and financial condition; its ability to maintain and improve technology infrastructure necessary to operate its business; competition in the online education industry in China; relevant government policies and regulations relating to Sunlands’ corporate structure, business and industry; and general economic and business condition in China. Further information regarding these and other risks, uncertainties or factors is included in Sunlands’ filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All information provided in this press release is current as of the date of the press release, and Sunlands does not undertake any obligation to update such information, except as required under applicable law.

For investor and media enquiries, please contact:

Sunlands Technology Group
Investor Relations
Email: [email protected]
SOURCE: Sunlands Technology Group

SUNLANDS TECHNOLOGY GROUP

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
S

(Amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)
         
    As of December 31,   As of September 30,
    2024   2025
    RMB   RMB   US$
ASSETS            
Current assets            
Cash and cash equivalents   507,229   599,917   84,270
Restricted cash     1,049   147
Short-term investments   276,029   176,496   24,792
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   96,916   90,871   12,765
Deferred costs, current   4,139   25,257   3,548
Total current assets   884,313   893,590   125,522
Non-current assets            
Property and equipment, net   758,215   737,154   103,547
Intangible assets, net   723   368   52
Right-of-use assets   110,154   101,170   14,211
Deferred costs, non-current   56,657   16,212   2,277
Long-term investments   260,083   332,636   46,725
Deferred tax assets   24,699   20,247   2,844
Other non-current assets   26,319   23,527   3,305
Total non-current assets   1,236,850   1,231,314   172,961
TOTAL ASSETS   2,121,163   2,124,904   298,483
             
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY            
             
LIABILITIES            
Current liabilities            
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities   404,865   366,480   51,479
Deferred revenue, current   382,047   453,889   63,757
Lease liabilities, current portion   8,317   9,534   1,339
Long-term debt, current portion   6,154    
Total current liabilities   801,383   829,903   116,575

SUNLANDS TECHNOLOGY GROUP

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
S-continued

(Amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)
         
    As of December 31,   As of September 30,
    2024   2025
    RMB   RMB   US$
Non-current liabilities            
Deferred revenue, non-current   534,463     241,570     33,933  
Lease liabilities, non-current portion   137,040     127,435     17,901  
Deferred tax liabilities   5,724     3,418     480  
Other non-current liabilities   7,309     7,289     1,024  
Long-term debt, non-current portion   35,386          
Total non-current liabilities   719,922     379,712     53,338  
TOTAL LIABILITIES   1,521,305     1,209,615     169,913  
             
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY            
Class A ordinary shares (par value of US$0.00005, 796,062,195 shares            
authorized; 3,131,807 and 3,131,807 shares issued as of December 31, 2024            
And September 30, 2025, respectively; 2,600,779 and 2,554,347 shares            
outstanding as of December 31, 2024 and September 30, 2025, respectively)   1     1      
Class B ordinary shares (par value of US$0.00005, 826,389 shares            
authorized; 826,389 and 826,389 shares issued and outstanding            
as of December 31, 2024 and September 30, 2025, respectively)            
Class C ordinary shares (par value of US$0.00005, 203,111,416 shares            
authorized; 3,332,062 and 3,332,062 shares issued and outstanding            
as of December 31, 2024 and September 30, 2025, respectively)   1     1      
Treasury stock            
Statutory reserves   11,083     11,083     1,557  
Accumulated deficit   (1,840,285)     (1,513,028)     (212,534)  
Additional paid-in capital   2,294,381     2,289,063     321,543  
Accumulated other comprehensive income   136,164     129,656     18,213  
Total Sunlands Technology Group shareholders’ equity   601,345     916,776     128,779  
Non-controlling interest   (1,487)     (1,487)     (209)  
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY   599,858     915,289     128,570  
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY   2,121,163     2,124,904     298,483  

SUNLANDS TECHNOLOGY GROUP

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)
     
    For the Three Months Ended September 30,
    2024   2025
    RMB   RMB   US$
Net revenues   491,264     523,049     73,472  
Cost of revenues   (82,093)     (60,314)     (8,472)  
Gross profit   409,171     462,735     65,000  
             
Operating expenses            
Sales and marketing expenses   (303,047)     (279,725)     (39,293)  
Product development expenses   (5,849)     (8,671)     (1,218)  
General and administrative expenses   (34,472)     (35,956)     (5,051)  
Total operating expenses   (343,368)     (324,352)     (45,562)  
Income from operations   65,803     138,383     19,438  
Interest income   7,810     6,462     908  
Interest expense   (1,415)     (114)     (16)  
Other income, net   10,443     8,323     1,169  
Loss on disposal of subsidiaries   (588)          
Income before income tax benefit/(expenses)            
and income/loss from equity method investments   82,053     153,054     21,499  
Income tax benefit/(expenses)   6,506     (24,360)     (3,422)  
Income/(loss) from equity method investments   730     (3,258)     (458)  
Net income   89,289     125,436     17,619  
             
Less: Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest            
Net income attributable to Sunlands Technology Group   89,289     125,436     17,619  
Net income per share attributable to ordinary shareholders of            
Sunlands Technology Group:            
Basic and diluted   13.08     18.64     2.62  
Weighted average shares used in calculating net income            
per ordinary share:            
Basic and diluted   6,828,784     6,728,503     6,728,503  

SUNLANDS TECHNOLOGY GROUP

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Amounts in thousands)
     
    For the Three Months Ended September 30,
    2024   2025
    RMB   RMB   US$
Net income   89,289     125,436     17,619  
Other comprehensive (loss)/income, net of tax effect of nil:            
Change in cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments   (20,526)     (3,671)     (516)  
Unrealized loss on available-for-sale investments, net of tax effect of nil       8,592     1,207  
Total comprehensive income   68,763     130,357     18,310  
Less: comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interest            
Comprehensive income attributable to Sunlands Technology Group   68,763     130,357     18,310  

SUNLANDS TECHNOLOGY GROUP

RECONCILIATION OF
GAAP AND
NON-GAAP
RESULTS

(Amounts in thousands)
     
    For the Three Months Ended September 30,
    2024   2025
    RMB   RMB
Net revenues   491,264     523,049  
Less: other revenues   (84,838)     (61,277)  
Add: tax and surcharges   23,931     16,310  
Add: ending deferred revenue   920,593     695,459  
Add: deferred revenue in connection with disposal of subsidiaries   3,423      
Add: ending refund liability   119,618     67,828  
Less: beginning deferred revenue   (986,938)     (814,277)  
Less: beginning refund liability   (126,797)     (77,942)  
Gross billings (non-GAAP)   360,256     349,150  
         
         
         
Net income   89,289     125,436  
Add: income tax (benefit)/expenses   (6,506)     24,360  
Add: depreciation and amortization   7,355     7,199  
Add: interest expense   1,415     114  
Less: interest income   (7,810)     (6,462)  
EBITDA (non-GAAP)   83,743     150,647  

SUNLANDS TECHNOLOGY GROUP

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)
     
    For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
    2024   2025
    RMB   RMB   US$
Net revenues   1,506,727     1,549,689     217,684  
Cost of revenues   (235,883)     (202,291)     (28,416)  
Gross profit   1,270,844     1,347,398     189,268  
             
Operating expenses            
Sales and marketing expenses   (902,065)     (882,696)     (123,992)  
Product development expenses   (20,516)     (21,859)     (3,071)  
General and administrative expenses   (100,853)     (103,565)     (14,548)  
Total operating expenses   (1,023,434)     (1,008,120)     (141,611)  
Income from operations   247,410     339,278     47,657  
Interest income   27,675     18,603     2,613  
Interest expense   (4,535)     (794)     (112)  
Other income, net   19,238     22,180     3,116  
Loss on disposal of subsidiaries   (838)          
Income before income tax benefit/(expenses)            
and loss from equity method investments   288,950     379,267     53,274  
Income tax benefit/(expenses)   6,975     (47,684)     (6,698)  
Loss from equity method investments   (11,649)     (4,326)     (608)  
Net income   284,276     327,257     45,968  
             
Less: Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest            
Net income attributable to Sunlands Technology Group   284,276     327,257     45,968  
Net income per share attributable to ordinary shareholders of            
Sunlands Technology Group:            
Basic and diluted   41.52     48.50     6.81  
Weighted average shares used in calculating net income            
per ordinary share:            
Basic and diluted   6,846,146     6,747,844     6,747,844  

SUNLANDS TECHNOLOGY GROUP

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Amounts in thousands)
     
    For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
    2024   2025
    RMB   RMB   US$
Net income   284,276     327,257     45,968  
Other comprehensive (loss)/income, net of tax effect of nil:            
Change in cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments   (7,275)     (15,152)     (2,128)  
Unrealized loss on available-for-sale investments, net of tax effect of nil       8,644     1,214  
Total comprehensive income   277,001     320,749     45,054  
Less: comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interest            
Comprehensive income attributable to Sunlands Technology Group   277,001     320,749     45,054  

SUNLANDS TECHNOLOGY GROUP

RECONCILIATION OF
GAAP AND
NON-GAAP
RESULTS

(Amounts in thousands)
     
    For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
    2024   2025
    RMB   RMB
Net revenues   1,506,727     1,549,689  
Less: other revenues   (205,806)     (180,763)  
Add: tax and surcharges   56,040     58,361  
Add: ending deferred revenue   920,593     695,459  
Add: deferred revenue in connection with disposal of subsidiaries   3,423      
Add: ending refund liability   119,618     67,828  
Less: beginning deferred revenue   (1,113,923)     (916,510)  
Less: beginning refund liability   (143,744)     (112,342)  
Gross billings (non-GAAP)   1,142,928     1,161,722  
         
         
         
Net income   284,276     327,257  
Add: income tax (benefit)/expenses   (6,975)     47,684  
Add: depreciation and amortization   22,148     21,622  
Add: interest expense   4,535     794  
Less: interest income   (27,675)     (18,603)  
EBITDA (non-GAAP)   276,309     378,754  
             

1 Net income margin is defined as net income as a percentage of net revenues.

2 New student enrollments for a given period refer to the total number of orders placed by students that newly enroll in at least one course during that period, including those students that enroll and then terminate their enrollment with us, excluding orders of our low-price courses, such as “mini courses” and “RMB1 courses”, which we offer in the form of recorded videos or short live streaming, to strengthen our competitiveness and improve customer experience.