Financial Performance - In 2024, net profit and adjusted net profit increased by 112.8% and 59.2% year-on-year, respectively, with overall gross margin improving to 68.7% from 61.4%[5][10] - Revenue for the year was RMB 3.34 billion, a 23.9% increase from RMB 2.70 billion in 2023, driven by a 57.1% increase in revenue from imaging and design products[6][10] - The gross profit for the year was RMB 2.29 billion, reflecting a 38.5% increase from RMB 1.66 billion in 2023[6] - The net profit for the year reached RMB 806.16 million, significantly up from RMB 366.42 million in 2023[17] - Total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2024, was RMB 3,340,761, an increase of 24% from RMB 2,695,738 in 2023[82] - Gross profit for 2024 was RMB 2,294,211, representing a gross margin of approximately 68.7% compared to 61.4% in 2023[82] - Basic earnings per share for 2024 was RMB 0.18, up from RMB 0.09 in 2023, indicating a 100% increase[82] User Growth and Engagement - Monthly active users (MAU) reached approximately 266 million, a year-on-year increase of 6.7%, with MAU outside mainland China growing by 21.7% to 94.5 million, accounting for 35.6% of total MAU[5][8][10] - The AI video editing tool Wink achieved MAU growth from 0 to approximately 30 million within two years, demonstrating successful product launch strategies[13] - The MAU for the video editing app Wink surpassed 30 million by the end of December 2024, making it the third-largest application in the company's product matrix[24] - Monthly Active Users (MAU) outside mainland China grew by 22% year-on-year to 94.51 million, accounting for 36% of total MAU[14] Product and Service Development - The AI-driven productivity tool, Meitu Design Studio, generated approximately RMB 200 million in revenue, doubling year-on-year[5] - The company plans to maintain its focus on integrating art and technology, with ongoing investments in imaging R&D to enhance engineering capabilities[11] - The "AI hairstyle" feature of Meitu Xiuxiu gained significant popularity in Indonesia, leading to a rapid rollout strategy across Southeast Asia[13] - The revenue from image and design products grew by 57.1% year-on-year, reaching RMB 2,085.62 million, up from RMB 1,327.38 million in 2023[21] - The AI-driven productivity tool, Meitu Design Studio, achieved 1.13 million paid subscribers by December 31, 2024, doubling its revenue year-on-year[15] Financial Management and Investments - The company continues to invest in AI and R&D, with total expenses growing at a significantly lower rate than gross profit, enhancing operational leverage[10] - The company plans to expand its product offerings in markets outside mainland China, focusing on commercial photography design and video products[15] - The company has made minor investments in technologies or businesses that are believed to complement its operations, although these investments are not considered significant[56] - The company plans to continue seeking strategic investment opportunities to enhance synergies in technology development, product research, and market expansion[75] Expenses and Cost Management - R&D expenses rose by 43.3% year-on-year to RMB 910.7 million, primarily due to increased costs related to generative AI training[36] - Sales and marketing expenses increased by 12.9% year-on-year to RMB 483.4 million, driven by marketing expenditures for image and design products[37] - Administrative expenses increased by 32.9% year-on-year to RMB 399.9 million, largely due to personnel costs from the acquisition of Zcool Group[38] Cash Flow and Liquidity - Cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2024, totaled RMB 1,301.41 million, significantly up from RMB 640.63 million as of December 31, 2023[51] - Total current financial resources, including cash and short-term investments, amounted to RMB 2,998.85 million as of December 31, 2024, compared to RMB 1,404.44 million as of December 31, 2023[51] - The company maintained a healthy liquidity position as of December 31, 2024, with a focus on prudent financial management to meet funding needs[52] Dividends and Shareholder Returns - The company declared a final dividend of HKD 0.0552 per share for the year ending December 31, 2024, totaling approximately HKD 251.7 million (about RMB 232.3 million), with a payout ratio of approximately 40% based on adjusted net profit attributable to equity holders[61] - The company plans to distribute a special dividend of HKD 0.109 per share, totaling approximately HKD 496.8 million, following the sale of cryptocurrencies[80] Corporate Governance and Compliance - The company emphasizes strict corporate governance, ensuring transparency and accountability in its operations[146] - The audit committee reviewed the annual performance announcement and the audited financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2024, confirming compliance with applicable accounting standards[149] - The company has adopted a code of conduct for directors regarding securities trading, ensuring compliance throughout the year ending December 31, 2024[147] Strategic Acquisitions - The company completed the acquisition of Zcool Network Technology Limited on March 27, 2024, for a total consideration of up to USD 39,640,495 (approximately HKD 309,905,426)[78] - The acquisition included 119,158,806 shares of common stock and various series of preferred shares, enhancing the company's market position[78] Risks and Challenges - The company has faced foreign exchange risks primarily due to transactions in RMB and USD, with no hedging against currency fluctuations as of December 31, 2024[58] - The company has no significant contingent liabilities as of December 31, 2024, maintaining a stable financial position[60]

Core Viewpoint - Meitu Inc. expresses confidence in its future business prospects and plans to increase its shareholding after the annual performance announcement and the end of the lock-up period on March 18, 2025 [1] Group 1: Shareholder Activity - Shareholder Cai Wensheng sold 128 million shares of Meitu Inc. from February 17 to February 21, 2025, representing approximately 2.81% of the total issued shares [1] - Meitu Inc. founder Wu Xinhong has never sold any shares of the company and has made several purchases since May 10, 2018, with the most recent purchase occurring on June 18, 2024 [1]

Investment Rating - The report assigns an "Accumulate" rating to Meitu, with a target price of HKD 6.96 based on a projected PE of 37X for 2025 [5][7]. Core Insights - Meitu focuses on enhancing its image and design products through AI technology, which drives membership subscription conversion and improves user experience, retention, and willingness to pay [1][2]. - The company is expanding its B-end applications, with a notable increase in productivity product users and subscription penetration rates, indicating a strong growth trajectory [2][3]. - Meitu's global user base is growing, with significant contributions from overseas markets, and its advertising business is also on the rise due to increased user engagement [3][7]. Summary by Sections Strategic Focus on Image and Design Products - Meitu has refocused on its core image and design applications, leveraging AI to enhance product capabilities and user engagement, leading to a significant increase in active users and subscription rates [1][16]. - The flagship product, Meitu Xiuxiu, remains a leader in the market, with a strong daily active user (DAU) base and a comprehensive suite of features [1][58]. Expansion into Productivity Scenarios - The number of productivity product users has increased, with a 8.7% quarter-on-quarter growth in the first half of 2024, reaching 19.2 million users, which now accounts for 7.5% of total users [2][61]. - The Meitu Design Studio has seen a revenue growth of over 152%, indicating strong monetization potential in the B-end market [2][3]. Global User Growth and Revenue Streams - Domestic monthly active users (MAU) are stabilizing at over 170 million, while overseas users exceed 30%, contributing nearly 50% of revenue from image and design products [3][7]. - The advertising business has experienced a 129% revenue growth in regions outside mainland China, supported by an increase in overall MAU and the introduction of new products [3][7]. Financial Projections - The report forecasts Meitu's net profit to grow significantly from 378.29 million in 2023 to 925.38 million by 2026, with corresponding EPS increasing from 0.09 to 0.20 [8][7]. - Revenue is expected to rise from 2.70 billion in 2023 to 4.86 billion by 2026, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 29.3% [8][7].

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for the company [5]. Core Insights - The company is expected to achieve a significant increase in adjusted net profit of approximately 52-60% year-on-year for 2024, translating to about 560-589 million RMB, driven by rapid growth in revenue from AI-driven imaging and design products [1]. - The company's AI applications are enhancing product capabilities and driving user engagement, with 41% of monthly active users utilizing generative AI features in July 2024 [3]. - The company has sold all its cryptocurrency holdings, realizing a profit of approximately 79.63 million USD (about 571 million RMB), with plans to distribute around 80% of the net proceeds as special dividends [3]. Financial Performance and Forecast - Revenue is projected to grow from 2,085 million RMB in 2022 to 5,572 million RMB by 2026, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 25.2% to 21.4% over the forecast period [4]. - Adjusted net profit is expected to increase from 111 million RMB in 2022 to 1,109 million RMB by 2026, reflecting a substantial growth trajectory [4]. - The adjusted earnings per share (EPS) is forecasted to rise from 0.02 RMB in 2022 to 0.24 RMB in 2026, indicating improved profitability [4]. AI Product Development - The company launched its MiracleVision AI model in June 2023, which has undergone continuous updates, including enhancements in video generation capabilities [2]. - The company is leveraging partnerships with third-party AI models to enhance its product offerings, indicating a strategic approach to AI development [2]. Market Position - The company ranks third in the online design sector in China with its native AI product, Meitu Design Studio, which is expected to double its revenue to over 200 million RMB in 2024 [3]. - The report highlights the company's potential to capture market share in both lifestyle and productivity application segments as the AIGC (AI Generated Content) market is still in its early stages in China [3].

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for the company with a target price of HKD 4.95, up from the previous target of HKD 4.56 [6][11]. Core Insights - DeepSeek (DS) has achieved significant breakthroughs in computing cost savings and open-source technology, which are favorable for AI applications in the company. This includes a major reduction in capital expenditure requirements and the promotion of technological equality [1][2][3]. - The competitive landscape for AI applications is shifting from reliance on algorithms and computing power to product capabilities, which may enhance the company's advantages in product, workflow, and aesthetics [4]. - The company has established a solid commercial ecosystem for its AI applications, with a paid user rate exceeding 6% for its flagship product, Meitu Design Studio [4]. Summary by Sections Investment Rating - The company is rated "Buy" with a target price of HKD 4.95 [6][11]. Financial Forecasts - The revenue forecast for the company shows a growth trajectory from RMB 2,085 million in 2022 to RMB 5,772 million by 2026, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 22.51% [5][18]. - The net profit attributable to the parent company is projected to increase from RMB 94.13 million in 2022 to RMB 1,115 million in 2026, indicating a significant recovery and growth [5][18]. - The earnings per share (EPS) is expected to rise from RMB 0.02 in 2022 to RMB 0.25 in 2026 [5][18]. Valuation - The report adjusts the valuation to a 2025 price-to-earnings (PE) ratio of 25 times, reflecting the company's entry into a high-growth phase driven by AI capabilities [5][11]. - The estimated adjusted net profit for 2025 is RMB 865 million, leading to a target market capitalization of HKD 225 billion [11][12]. Competitive Landscape - The advancements in DS's low-cost open-source models are expected to benefit the development of AI applications, breaking the technological monopoly of closed-source companies like OpenAI [2][3]. - The company is actively collaborating with domestic large models to leverage its product strengths and seize new industry opportunities [4].

Financial Performance - As of June 30, 2024, the net profit attributable to equity holders was approximately RMB 272.8 million, representing an 80.3% year-over-year increase[10]. - The total revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2024, was RMB 1.621 billion, a 28.6% increase compared to RMB 1.261 billion for the same period in 2023[10]. - Adjusted net profit attributable to equity holders for the six months ended June 30, 2024, was approximately RMB 272.8 million, representing a year-on-year increase of about 80.3%[16]. - Total revenue for the same period reached approximately RMB 1.621 billion, reflecting a year-on-year growth of about 28.6%[20]. - The company reported a profit of RMB 303,721 thousand for the six months ended June 30, 2024, compared to RMB 209,469 thousand for the same period in 2023, representing an increase of approximately 44.9%[103]. - The company reported a total comprehensive income for the six months ended June 30, 2024, of RMB 304,986 thousand, including a profit of RMB 303,428 thousand[109]. - The company’s total equity increased to RMB 4,462,766 thousand from RMB 4,113,700 thousand, representing a growth of about 8.5%[107]. User Engagement - Monthly active users reached approximately 257.7 million, a 4.3% increase from 247.1 million in the same period last year[11]. - The monthly active users of the AI video editing application Wink grew by approximately 99% year-over-year, becoming the third-largest application in the product matrix[8]. - The productivity segment saw a 42.0% increase in monthly active users, reaching 19.2 million compared to 13.5 million in the same period last year[11]. - Monthly active users grew by approximately 4.3% year-on-year to 258 million as of June 30, 2024, an increase from about 2.6% as of December 31, 2023[16]. Revenue Breakdown - Revenue from imaging and design products was RMB 930.6 million, reflecting a significant 54.5% growth year-over-year[10]. - Revenue from advertising increased by 18.3% to RMB 412.9 million compared to RMB 349.2 million in the previous year[10]. - Revenue from beauty solutions decreased by 5.5% to RMB 270.6 million, down from RMB 286.4 million in the previous year[10]. - Revenue from image and design products accounted for 57.4% of total revenue, increasing from 47.8% in the previous year[19]. - Revenue from advertising constituted 25.5% of total revenue, compared to 27.7% in the previous year[19]. - Revenue from beauty solutions, primarily from cosmetics and smart hardware sales, was RMB 258,559,000, down from RMB 273,914,000 in the previous year[144]. Cost and Expenses - The gross profit margin improved to 64.9%, up by 5.1 percentage points from 59.8% in the previous year[10]. - Operating costs rose to RMB 568.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024, a 12.2% increase from RMB 506.9 million for the same period in 2023[27]. - Research and development expenses increased by 44.5% to approximately RMB 425.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024, compared to approximately RMB 294.3 million for the same period in 2023[30]. - The total operating costs, including sales and marketing expenses, administrative expenses, and R&D expenses, amounted to RMB 1,376,368,000, up from RMB 1,166,827,000, indicating an increase of about 18.0%[147]. Investments and Acquisitions - The company successfully completed the acquisition of Zcool Group in the first half of 2024, launching a new online service platform for freelance designers shortly thereafter[16]. - The company completed the acquisition of a leading visual creative community, which is expected to enhance the synergy with its imaging and design products[23]. - Meitu Investment has agreed to acquire all issued shares of Zcool, totaling 119,158,806 ordinary shares and various series of preferred shares, for a total consideration of $39,640,495 (approximately HKD 309,905,426)[58]. - The acquisition of Zcool was completed on March 27, 2024, making Zcool an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the company, with its financial performance consolidated into the group's financial statements[59]. Financial Position and Liquidity - Cash and cash equivalents as of June 30, 2024, were RMB 351.5 million, down from RMB 640.6 million as of December 31, 2023[42]. - The company maintained a healthy liquidity position, with total liquid financial resources of RMB 1.3 billion as of June 30, 2024, compared to RMB 1.4 billion as of December 31, 2023[42]. - The company’s total liabilities increased to RMB 1,938,317 thousand from RMB 1,653,486 thousand, indicating a rise of approximately 17.3%[107]. - The company’s cash flow from operating activities remains a critical area for future focus, as the net cash outflow from financing activities suggests potential liquidity concerns[115]. Shareholder and Equity Information - As of June 30, 2024, the company had a total of 4,535,096,084 shares issued, with significant shareholders holding substantial stakes, including Cai Wensheng with 1,068,100,000 shares (23.55%)[64]. - The employee stock option plan, which was approved prior to the IPO, has a total limit of 116,959,070 shares, with 12,435,144 shares of options granted but not yet exercised as of June 30, 2024[66]. - The company approved a final dividend of RMB 148,827,000, with RMB 146,085,000 paid for the six months ending June 30, 2024, compared to RMB 81,395,000 for the same period in 2023[163]. Financial Risks and Management - The company has not hedged any foreign currency fluctuations as of June 30, 2024, exposing it to foreign exchange risks primarily from its subsidiaries in China and Hong Kong[47]. - The company’s financial risk management policies have remained unchanged since year-end, addressing market, credit, and liquidity risks[126]. - The company continues to monitor the performance of its cryptocurrency investments and will reassess its investment strategy in response to market conditions[54]. Future Outlook - The company anticipates that the growth in subscription penetration will support strong revenue growth in the second half of the year[14]. - The company is actively exploring market expansion opportunities, particularly in the imaging and design product sectors, to drive future revenue growth[118]. - Future financial performance will be closely tied to the successful implementation of new strategies and the management of cash flow dynamics[118].

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for Meitu Inc (1357 HK) [2] Core Views - Meitu achieved strong profit growth in H1 2024, with revenue of RMB 1 62 billion (YoY +28 6%), gross profit of RMB 1 05 billion (YoY +39 6%), and net profit of RMB 300 million (YoY +45 0%) [3] - The company's adjusted net profit attributable to shareholders reached RMB 270 million (YoY +80 3%), driven by rapid growth in AI-powered imaging and design products [3] - Meitu's globalization strategy is progressing successfully, with overseas MAU accounting for 32 9% of total MAU [3] - The company's AI-driven productivity tools, particularly X-Design and Wink, showed significant user growth and revenue increases [3] Financial Performance - In H1 2024, Meitu's imaging and design product revenue grew 54 5% YoY to RMB 930 million, driven by increased user base and paid penetration rate [3] - The company's total MAU reached 258 million (YoY +4 3%), with paid subscribers hitting 10 81 million (4 2% penetration rate) [3] - X-Design revenue surged 152% YoY, with 960,000 subscribers, while Wink's MAU grew approximately 99% YoY [3] - Beauty solutions revenue declined 5 5% YoY to RMB 270 million, while advertising revenue recovered with 18 3% YoY growth to RMB 410 million [3] Product Development - Meitu launched its WonderVision 5 0 model supporting video generation and six new AI+ imaging design products at its third imaging festival [3] - The company continues to strengthen its position as a leading C-end imaging platform with significant AIGC application realization [3] Market Performance - Meitu's current share price is HKD 2 32, with a 52-week range of HKD 2 13-4 19 [3] - The company's total market capitalization stands at HKD 10,521 42 million [3] - Meitu's stock performance over the past year shows -31 4% return, underperforming the Hang Seng Index's -5 5% [3] Financial Projections - Revenue is forecasted to grow to RMB 3 6 billion in 2024, RMB 4 5 billion in 2025, and RMB 5 4 billion in 2026 [6] - Adjusted net profit attributable to shareholders is projected to reach RMB 560 million in 2024, RMB 800 million in 2025, and RMB 1 06 billion in 2026 [6] - The company's ROE is expected to improve from 9% in 2023 to 16% in 2026 [7] - EPS is forecasted to grow from RMB 0 09 in 2023 to RMB 0 25 in 2026 [7] Valuation Metrics - The company's P/E ratio is projected to decline from 23 46x in 2023 to 9 18x in 2026 [7] - P/B ratio is expected to decrease from 2 33x in 2023 to 1 57x in 2026 [7] - P/S ratio is forecasted to drop from 3 55x in 2023 to 1 77x in 2026 [7]

Investment Rating - The report maintains an "Outperform" rating for Meitu (01357 HK) [1][4][11] Core Views - Meitu's total revenue grew 29% YoY to RMB 1 62 billion in H1 2024 driven by strong growth in imaging products [1][5] - Adjusted net profit attributable to shareholders increased 80% YoY to RMB 270 million with a 17% margin up 5 percentage points YoY [1][5] - Gross profit rose 40% YoY to RMB 1 05 billion with gross margin improving to 65% up 5 percentage points YoY [1][5] - Meitu positions itself as an AI application company focusing on enhancing product capabilities rather than competing in large model development [1][5] - The company plans to flexibly acquire model capabilities through self-development procurement and open-source approaches [1][5] Financial Performance - Imaging and design product revenue surged 55% YoY to RMB 931 million in H1 2024 [1][5] - Advertising revenue increased 18% YoY to RMB 410 million with programmatic advertising growing 45% YoY [2][9] - Overseas advertising revenue excluding mainland China jumped 129% YoY [2][9] - Beauty solutions revenue declined 6% YoY to RMB 270 million in H1 2024 [2][9] - R&D expenses rose 45% YoY to RMB 431 million with RMB 59 million allocated to large model computing power [1][5] - Sales expenses decreased 7 5% YoY to RMB 210 million while promotion expenses grew 13% YoY [1][5] Operational Metrics - MAU reached 258 million in H1 2024 up 4% YoY [1][8] - VIP paying members increased 50% YoY to 10 81 million with a 4 2% paying penetration rate up 1 3 percentage points YoY [1][8] - ARPPU remained stable at RMB 187 [1][8] - Meitu Design Studio subscribers reached approximately 960 000 up from 870 000 at the end of 2023 with product revenue growing over 152% YoY [1][8] - Meitu's global market share for imaging and design products is around 13% with significant growth potential [1][8] Financial Forecasts - Revenue is projected to grow 27 3% 23 1% and 21 0% YoY in 2024E 2025E and 2026E respectively [3] - Adjusted net profit attributable to shareholders is forecasted to reach RMB 560 million RMB 790 million and RMB 970 million in 2024E 2025E and 2026E respectively [2][11] - Gross margin is expected to improve to 64% 66% and 67% in 2024E 2025E and 2026E respectively [15] - ROE is projected to be 8 0% 13 1% and 15 8% in 2024E 2025E and 2026E respectively [3] Valuation - The report assigns a fair value range of HKD 4 50 to HKD 4 80 [4] - Current share price is HKD 2 37 with a market capitalization of HKD 10 748 million [4] - PE ratios are forecasted at 17 6x 12 4x and 10 1x for 2024E 2025E and 2026E respectively [3]

Investment Rating - The investment rating for the company is maintained at "Buy - A" with a target price of HKD 3.45, which corresponds to a dynamic price-to-earnings ratio of 25 times for 2024 [4][7]. Core Insights - The company reported a total revenue of RMB 1.62 billion for the first half of 2024, representing a year-on-year growth of 28.6%. The adjusted net profit attributable to the parent company was RMB 270 million, up 80.3% year-on-year [1]. - The revenue from the image and design products, primarily from paid subscriptions, reached RMB 930 million, a 54.5% increase year-on-year, accounting for 57.4% of total revenue. The number of paid subscription users exceeded 10.81 million, marking a historical high with a penetration rate of approximately 4.2% [2]. - The advertising business generated RMB 410 million in revenue, reflecting an 18.3% year-on-year increase, driven by strong performance in programmatic advertising, which grew by 45% [2]. - The company achieved significant growth in its global user base, with monthly active users reaching 258 million, a 4.3% increase year-on-year. The number of monthly active users outside mainland China grew by 15%, accounting for 32.9% of the total [3]. Financial Summary - The projected revenues for the company from 2024 to 2026 are RMB 3.58 billion, RMB 4.46 billion, and RMB 5.50 billion, respectively. The net profits for the same period are expected to be RMB 570 million, RMB 820 million, and RMB 1.14 billion [7][9]. - The company’s gross profit margin for the first half of 2024 was 64.93%, an increase of 5.13 percentage points year-on-year, primarily due to the higher proportion of high-margin image and design products [2]. - The earnings per share (EPS) for 2024 is projected to be RMB 0.13, increasing to RMB 0.25 by 2026 [9].

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for the company [1] Core Insights - In H1 2024, the company achieved revenue of 1.621 billion RMB, a year-on-year increase of 28.6%, and an adjusted net profit of 273 million RMB, up 80.3%, aligning with previous forecasts [3] - The company's imaging and design products continue to grow rapidly, with revenue from this segment reaching 931 million RMB in H1 2024, a year-on-year increase of 54.5%, driven by generative AI technology enhancing product appeal [3] - The company has successfully executed its globalization strategy, with overseas monthly active users (MAU) reaching 85 million, a year-on-year increase of 15.0%, now accounting for 32.9% of total MAU [3] - The company is expanding its product matrix, focusing on AI workflows for digital content, with significant growth in subscription users for its design tools [3] - The gross margin improved to 64.93%, up 5.13 percentage points year-on-year, primarily due to the higher revenue share from high-margin imaging and design products [4] - The report slightly lowers profit forecasts for 2024-2026, expecting adjusted net profits of 550 million, 900 million, and 1.18 billion RMB respectively, with corresponding P/E ratios of 27, 18, and 11 times [4] Financial Summary - Total revenue for 2022 was 2.085 billion RMB, with projections of 2.696 billion RMB for 2023, 3.612 billion RMB for 2024, and 4.688 billion RMB for 2025, reflecting a compound annual growth rate [2] - Adjusted net profit for 2023 is projected at 368 million RMB, increasing to 553 million RMB in 2024 and 901 million RMB in 2025 [2] - The company’s MAU reached 258 million in H1 2024, a year-on-year increase of 4.3% [3]