Summary of the Conference Call for Xindong Company Company Overview - Xindong Company primarily consists of two business segments: TapTap platform (game community and distribution channel, approximately 30% of revenue) and game business (approximately 70% of revenue) [2][4] Key Points and Arguments - In 2024, Xindong Company launched two core games, "Start Your Adventure, Muffin" and "Xindong Town," which exceeded expectations. "Start Your Adventure, Muffin" generated total revenue of 1.6 billion RMB, with confirmed income of about 1.5 billion RMB; "Xindong Town" confirmed revenue of less than 300 million RMB by year-end, with a total revenue of approximately 400 million RMB [2][7] - The success of "Start Your Adventure, Muffin" is attributed to its casual gameplay and social attributes, which reduced player churn, showcasing the company's experience in developing team-based idle games [2][10] - In 2025, "Start Your Adventure, Muffin" underperformed in the Japanese market, and the domestic version faces downward pressure, while "Xindong Town" is expected to contribute an additional 300-400 million RMB domestically, potentially offsetting overall declines [2][12][13] - Older games like "Sausage Party" are expected to see a natural decline of about 10%, while "Bellflower Sword" may see a 50% drop in revenue. However, "Torchlight" is expected to exceed last year's revenue of 300 million RMB due to shortened season cycles and content updates [2][12] Financial Performance - Xindong Company's 2024 financial performance met market expectations, but stock prices fell due to discrepancies between operational data and market forecasts. Future game revenue may show fluctuations, presenting investment opportunities [3] - TapTap platform's monthly active users (MAU) were approximately 44 million in 2024, with expectations for double-digit revenue growth in 2025 and profit margins increasing from 25% in 2024 to around 30% in 2025, potentially yielding profits of 500 million RMB or more [5][28] Market and Valuation Insights - TapTap platform's MAU showed resilience despite a decline in advertising investment. The company experienced a valuation and performance downturn but saw a recovery in 2024 due to a strong product cycle [6] - The valuation for Xindong Company is projected between 14 billion to 20 billion RMB, with a PE ratio of 10 to 15 times, depending on the performance of new games like "Ise" [30] Future Game Releases and Expectations - The new game "Ise" is expected to launch in June 2025, with revenue contributions estimated at 300 million RMB if performance is average, and up to 1 billion RMB if successful [5][16] - Xindong Company plans to continue expanding its self-developed team, currently consisting of over 700 members, and aims to launch one to two new projects in 2025 [19][20] Additional Considerations - The company is focusing on enhancing user engagement on the TapTap platform, with strategies to improve user stickiness and maintain a balance between ad loading rates and user growth [26] - The overall game business is expected to grow by 20% in 2025, with a stable profit margin projected between 60% to 65% [29] This summary encapsulates the key insights and projections regarding Xindong Company and its operational landscape, highlighting both opportunities and challenges in the gaming industry.

Financial Performance - The company's total revenue for the year exceeded RMB 5 billion, representing a year-on-year growth of nearly 50%[7]. - The net profit attributable to the parent company reached RMB 811 million, marking the first annual profit in five years[7]. - For the year ended December 31, 2024, the company's gaming business revenue increased by 64.2% to RMB 3,434.1 million, compared to RMB 2,091.7 million in 2023[32]. - Revenue from online games rose by 69.1% to RMB 3,316.8 million, driven by new game launches including "GoGo Muffin," "Sword of Convallaria," and "Heartopia"[32]. - The net profit for the year ended December 31, 2024, was RMB 890.5 million, compared to a net loss of RMB 65.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023[46]. - The operating profit for the year ended December 31, 2024, was RMB 914.8 million, a significant improvement from an operating loss of RMB 5.2 million in 2023[49]. - The EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2024, was RMB 997.2 million, compared to RMB 107.0 million in 2023[49]. - The total liabilities to total assets ratio as of December 31, 2024, was 30.8%, a decrease from 57.6% as of December 31, 2023[53]. Game Development and Performance - The game "GoGo Muffin" launched globally and achieved significant profits, indicating a successful start for the company's publishing business[8]. - The game "Heartopia" surpassed 20 million downloads on the TapTap platform shortly after its launch, highlighting strong player demand for life simulation games[8]. - The re-release of "Ragnarok M: Eternal Love" in Southeast Asia and Taiwan received positive feedback, reaffirming the game's enduring popularity[9]. - The company plans to develop a sequel, "Ragnarok M: Eternal Love II," aiming to create a fully 3D open world experience[10]. - "Torchlight: Infinite" has seen gradual performance improvements since last year, with core player recognition increasing, indicating a growing brand presence in the action RPG genre[10]. - Over half of the core players of "Torchlight: Infinite" are now PC users, reflecting the game's acceptance among core PC gamers[11]. - The upcoming game "Etheria," developed using Unreal Engine, represents a significant advancement in the company's production capabilities[11]. - The company aims to differentiate its products in a competitive market while expanding its game portfolio through global testing and feedback[11]. TapTap Platform Performance - TapTap's game business revenue increased by 64.2% year-over-year, driven by new self-developed games such as "GoGo Muffin," "Sword of Convallaria," and "Heartopia"[20]. - The average monthly active users (MAU) of the TapTap China app grew by 23.0% year-over-year, reaching 44.0 million[20]. - The TapTap platform's revenue increased by 21.6% to RMB 1,578.0 million, correlating with a 23.0% increase in average monthly active users to 44.0 million[35]. - The TapTap international version app's average MAU decreased by 13.0% year-over-year to 5.0 million, primarily due to a significant drop in users from India and reduced overseas marketing expenditures[29]. AI and Technology Integration - TapTap successfully promoted games using AI recommendation technology, enhancing user acquisition and promotion efficiency[12]. - The company plans to launch a PC version of TapTap, maintaining a no-revenue-sharing model, allowing developers to retain 100% of their income[15]. - TapTap has integrated AI tools into daily operations and is exploring new business development directions leveraging AI and machine learning[20]. - The company has completed the filing for its generative AI service, TapSight, and added AI Q&A and DeepSeek search functionalities to TapTap[20]. - The company is optimistic about the future of AI technology in game development, anticipating significant reductions in development costs[16]. Corporate Governance and Management - The company has a strong governance structure with independent non-executive directors possessing extensive industry experience[67][68][69][70]. - The board consists of three executive directors, one non-executive director, and three independent non-executive directors, ensuring strong independence[78]. - The company aims to maintain at least 10% female representation on the board and is committed to improving gender diversity in senior management roles[84]. - The board has a diversity policy that considers various factors such as professional experience, skills, and educational background for appointments[83]. - The company has adopted a corporate governance code and has complied with all applicable provisions as of December 31, 2024[73]. Employee and Workplace Policies - The company has a zero-tolerance policy towards workplace harassment and discrimination, ensuring fair opportunities for all employees[193]. - The employee compensation system includes base salary, allowances, performance bonuses, year-end bonuses, and stock options to maintain market competitiveness[199]. - The company provides social insurance benefits, including pension, medical, maternity, work injury, unemployment insurance, and housing fund, along with various subsidies[199]. - The company emphasizes the urgency of preventing accidents and has taken proactive measures to enhance workplace safety[200]. - The overall employee turnover rate for 2024 is 20.86%, with male turnover at 21.32% and female turnover at 19.77%[198]. Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Initiatives - The company is committed to reviewing and monitoring its policies and practices regarding significant ESG matters to ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements[98]. - The board of directors is responsible for overseeing ESG matters and has established a five-tier governance structure to manage these issues effectively[144]. - The company has set environmental goals and is continuously assessing and managing ESG issues, with plans to establish quantitative targets and benchmarks[144]. - The company promotes community harmony and public welfare through various activities, including volunteer work and social participation[151]. - The company has established a charity organization named "Heartfelt" to support community activities, donating a total of 1,841.79 yuan to "Baby Home" this year[190]. Intellectual Property and Innovation - The company has seen a 400% year-on-year increase in overseas intellectual property applications and a 340% increase in domestic applications, reflecting a significant expansion in its IP protection efforts[167]. - The number of invention patent authorizations has increased by 200% year-on-year, while design patent authorizations have risen by 150%, indicating a strong focus on innovation[167]. - The total number of intellectual property rights held by the company is 2,448, including 1,557 trademarks, 25 patents, and 247 software copyrights[169]. - The company has established a clear process for intellectual property registration, providing employees with incentives for innovation and patent applications[167]. Customer Engagement and Satisfaction - The group received a total of 26 complaints this year, achieving a complaint response rate and handling rate of 100%, with a player satisfaction rate of 99.92%[181]. - The group has established multiple communication channels, including a 24-hour customer service system and self-developed tools like Tapdesk, enhancing user satisfaction and problem resolution rates[179]. - The group evaluated 382 suppliers this year, ensuring compliance with anti-bribery clauses and promoting sustainable practices in procurement[184].

Investment Rating - The investment rating for the company is "Buy" (maintained) [1][11] Core Views - The company is expected to benefit from the "game + platform" flywheel effect, driving long-term growth [3] - The issuance of stock options to core management and employees strengthens interest alignment and supports strategic goals [3] - The company maintains its profit forecasts for 2025-2027, with expected net profits of 1.286 billion, 1.592 billion, and 1.757 billion respectively [3] Financial Summary and Valuation Metrics - Revenue projections are as follows: 3,389 million in 2023, 5,012 million in 2024, 6,148 million in 2025, 7,205 million in 2026, and 7,806 million in 2027, with year-over-year growth rates of 47.9% in 2024 and 22.7% in 2025 [7] - The net profit is projected to turn positive in 2024, reaching 812 million, and continuing to grow to 1.286 billion in 2025 [7] - The company’s gross margin is expected to improve from 61.0% in 2023 to 71.9% in 2027, indicating strong operational efficiency [7] - The expected EPS for 2025 is 2.6, with a corresponding P/E ratio of 11.3 [7] Game Performance and Growth Drivers - The game "Heart Town" has maintained a position in the top 100 of the iOS bestseller list since 2025, with an international version expected to launch in the second half of 2025 [4] - The game "Ragnarok RO: Beginner's Server" has shown strong performance in Southeast Asia and is expected to boost the revenue of the older game "Ragnarok RO" [4] - Upcoming game releases, including "Iser" and "RO2," are anticipated to further drive growth in the gaming segment [4] TapTap Platform Development - The development of the TapTap PC version is underway, which is expected to expand the user base and enhance monetization opportunities [5] - The platform currently features games from major developers, indicating a strong content offering that can attract more users [5]

Investment Rating - The investment rating for the company is "Buy" and is maintained [7] Core Views - The company reported a revenue of 5.012 billion yuan for 2024, representing a year-on-year increase of 47.9%, and a net profit attributable to shareholders of 0.812 billion yuan, achieving a turnaround from losses [2][4] - The strong performance in the gaming business is attributed to the successful launches of new games such as "Start Your Journey, Muffin" and "Heart Town," which significantly boosted revenue and profit margins [8] - The TapTap platform continues to benefit from high-demand self-developed games and a recovery in game advertising demand, leading to sustained user growth and the release of commercial potential [8] Summary by Sections Financial Performance - In 2024, the company achieved a revenue of 5.012 billion yuan, with a net profit of 0.812 billion yuan and an adjusted net profit of 0.877 billion yuan, marking a return to profitability [2][4] - For the second half of 2024, the company reported a revenue of 2.792 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 70.6%, and a net profit of 0.606 billion yuan, also returning to profitability [4] Gaming Business - The gaming revenue for the second half of 2024 increased by 106.8% year-on-year to 1.95 billion yuan, with a significant rise in the average monthly paying user count [8] - The gross margin for the gaming business improved to 64.6%, up 18.6 percentage points year-on-year, driven by the strong performance of self-developed games [8] TapTap Platform - TapTap's user base in China grew by 19.1% year-on-year to 44.85 million MAU, while international MAU reached 5 million [8] - The revenue from the TapTap platform for the second half of 2024 was 844 million yuan, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 21.5% [8] Operational Efficiency - Marketing expenses increased by 31.2% year-on-year due to new game launches, but the sales expense ratio decreased significantly, indicating improved operational efficiency [8] - The adjusted net profit margin for the second half of 2024 was 22.9%, a substantial improvement from previous periods [8] Future Prospects - The company is focusing on the progress of new game reserves and the empowerment of its AI platform, with several new games expected to launch in 2025 [8] - The company has completed the registration of its generative AI service TapSight and integrated AI features into the TapTap platform [8]

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for the company [4][6]. Core Insights - The company achieved a turnaround in its annual performance, reporting a revenue of 5.012 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 47.9%, and a net profit of 812 million yuan, marking a significant recovery from losses [2][4]. - The gaming business saw substantial growth, with revenues reaching 3.434 billion yuan, up 64.2% year-on-year, driven by the successful launch of new games [3][4]. - The TapTap platform demonstrated a growing brand effect, with an average monthly active user (MAU) count of 44 million, reflecting a 23% increase year-on-year [3][4]. Financial Performance Summary - The company reported a gross profit of 3.479 billion yuan, with a gross margin of 69.4%, an increase of 8.4 percentage points compared to the previous year [2]. - Sales and R&D expense ratios were 27.88% and 18.34%, respectively, with sales expenses rising due to increased marketing for new game launches [2][3]. - The company plans to continue focusing on self-developed games and enhancing operational efficiency, with projected net profits of 999 million yuan, 1.194 billion yuan, and 1.343 billion yuan for 2025, 2026, and 2027, respectively [4][6].

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for the company [1] Core Insights - The company achieved a revenue of 50.12 billion yuan in 2024, a year-on-year increase of 47.89%, and a net profit of 8.12 billion yuan, marking a turnaround from a loss in 2023 [8] - The company announced its first annual dividend of 0.4 HKD per share, indicating a positive outlook on profitability [8] - The self-developed games have significantly improved gross margins, with a gross margin of 62.56% in 2024, up 15.89 percentage points year-on-year [8] - The TapTap platform showed a notable increase in monthly active users (MAU), reaching 44.05 million in China, a year-on-year growth of 23.03% [8] - The company has effectively controlled costs, leading to a significant increase in net profit margin to 16.19%, up 18.64 percentage points year-on-year [8] Financial Summary - Total revenue is projected to grow from 50.12 billion yuan in 2024 to 55.28 billion yuan in 2027, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 3.17% [1] - Net profit is expected to increase from 8.12 billion yuan in 2024 to 11.61 billion yuan in 2027, reflecting a CAGR of about 8.54% [1] - The earnings per share (EPS) is forecasted to rise from 1.65 yuan in 2024 to 2.36 yuan in 2027 [1] - The price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio is projected to decrease from 18.26 in 2024 to 12.76 in 2027, indicating improving valuation metrics [1]

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for the company [1] Core Insights - The company achieved a revenue of 50.12 billion yuan in 2024, a year-on-year increase of 47.89%, and a net profit of 8.12 billion yuan, marking a turnaround from a loss of 0.83 billion yuan in 2023. The company also announced a final dividend of 0.4 HKD per share [8] - The self-developed games have significantly improved gross margins, with a notable revenue contribution from titles like "Start Your Muffin" and "Lily of the Valley." The upcoming game "Heart Town" is expected to continue this trend [8] - TapTap's monthly active users (MAU) reached 44.05 million in China, a year-on-year increase of 23.03%, while international MAU was 503,000, a decrease of 13.02%. The growth in domestic MAU is attributed to a rich supply of new games and effective marketing strategies [8] - The company has demonstrated effective cost control, with an overall gross margin of 69.40% in 2024, up 8.37 percentage points year-on-year. The net profit margin also saw a significant increase to 16.19% [8] - The report projects net profits for 2025-2027 to be 9.80 billion, 10.69 billion, and 11.61 billion yuan respectively, with corresponding P/E ratios of 15, 14, and 13 times [8] Financial Summary - Total revenue for 2023 was 3.39 billion yuan, with projections of 5.01 billion yuan for 2024, reflecting a growth rate of 47.89% [1] - The company’s net profit for 2024 is projected at 811.53 million yuan, with a year-on-year growth of 20.74% for 2025 [1] - The earnings per share (EPS) is expected to rise from 1.65 yuan in 2024 to 2.36 yuan by 2027 [1]

Core Viewpoint - The company has entered a sustainable profitability phase, achieving record revenue and a significant turnaround in net profit amidst a global gaming industry adjustment [2][4]. Financial Performance - The company's total revenue for the year reached 5.01 billion RMB, a year-on-year increase of 47.9%, marking a record high since its listing [3]. - The net profit turned positive at 890 million RMB, compared to a loss of 65 million RMB in the previous year [3]. - Gross profit increased by 68.2% to 3.48 billion RMB, with an overall gross margin improvement to 69.4%, up 7.7 percentage points from the previous year [3]. Business Structure Optimization - Self-developed games contributed 3.43 billion RMB in revenue, a 64.2% increase year-on-year, with titles like "Start Up Muffin," "Sword of Lily," and "Heart Town" driving performance [4]. - The TapTap platform generated 1.58 billion RMB in revenue, a 21.6% increase, maintaining a high gross margin of 84% [4]. Operational Efficiency - The company achieved a 9.5% reduction in R&D expenses to 920 million RMB, while the R&D team size decreased from 1,031 to 993 [4]. - The company redeemed 1.596 billion USD in convertible bonds, reducing the debt-to-equity ratio from 57.6% to 30.8% [4]. - Operating cash flow turned positive, with cash and cash equivalents reaching 2.78 billion RMB, contributing to a total liquidity asset of 2.91 billion RMB [4]. Shareholder Returns - The board proposed a final dividend of 0.4 HKD per share, marking the company's first dividend distribution in five years, reflecting a commitment to shareholder returns and confidence in future profitability [4]. Game Development Strategy - The company is diversifying its game portfolio through the renewal of classic IPs and new game reserves, reducing reliance on single hits and forming a "long-lasting game" strategy [6]. - The average monthly active users for network games increased by 14.5% to 14.25 million, while average monthly paying users grew by 23.1% to 1.61 million [6]. Upcoming Titles and Pipeline - The company has two network games in development, likely "Iser: Reboot Day" and "Ragnarok RO: Guardian of Eternal Love 2," targeting the strategy card and MMORPG markets [9]. - The company is expanding its presence in the buyout game sector, with titles like "The Legend of the Hero" and upcoming releases enhancing platform diversity and player engagement [9]. TapTap Platform Evolution - The TapTap platform is evolving from a gaming community to a comprehensive distribution platform, with monthly active users increasing by 23% to 44.05 million [12]. - Exclusive content and developer ecosystem initiatives have driven user growth, while traditional channel limitations are being overcome through integrated resource promotion [12][14]. Industry Trends and Growth Drivers - The gaming industry is experiencing a structural upgrade, with the domestic market projected to grow by 7.53% to approximately 325.78 billion RMB [19]. - The overseas revenue for self-developed games reached a record high of 18.557 billion USD, reflecting a 13.39% year-on-year increase, validating the company's global strategy [20]. - The application of AI technology in game development is expected to enhance operational efficiency and create additional value [21].

Investment Rating - The investment rating for the company is "Buy" (maintained) [1][5][13] Core Views - The company achieved a revenue of 5.012 billion yuan in 2024, representing a year-on-year increase of 48%, and a net profit of 812 million yuan, recovering from a loss of 83 million yuan in 2023. The growth is primarily driven by the strong performance of self-developed games and the user growth of TapTap [5][9] - The gaming business revenue reached 3.434 billion yuan in 2024, up 64% year-on-year, with a gross margin of 63%, an increase of 16 percentage points. TapTap generated revenue of 1.578 billion yuan, a 21.6% increase year-on-year, maintaining a stable gross margin of 84% [5][9] - The company maintains its profit forecasts for 2025-2027, expecting net profits of 1.286 billion yuan, 1.592 billion yuan, and 1.757 billion yuan respectively, with corresponding EPS of 2.6 yuan, 3.2 yuan, and 3.6 yuan [5][9] Game Development and Growth - The top five games contributing to revenue in 2024 were "Let's Go Muffin," "Sausage Party," "Lily of the Valley," "Torchlight," and "Ragnarok M." The game "Heart Town," launched in July 2024, is expected to significantly contribute to revenue in 2025 [6] - The company has a pipeline of games, including "Iser," expected to launch in the second half of 2025, and "RO2," anticipated for 2026, which will continue to drive growth in the gaming business [6] TapTap Platform Performance - TapTap's monthly active users (MAU) reached 44.05 million in 2024, a 23% year-on-year increase. The growth is attributed to the launch of popular new games and exclusive partnerships [7] - The platform's revenue is expected to continue growing due to its zero-commission advantage and increasing user base, with potential for higher advertising prices and loading rates [7] Financial Summary and Valuation Metrics - The company's financial metrics for 2023A to 2027E show a significant recovery and growth trajectory, with revenues projected to reach 6.148 billion yuan in 2025 and 7.205 billion yuan in 2026 [9] - The net profit margin is expected to improve, with net profit margins of 20.9%, 22.1%, and 22.5% for 2025, 2026, and 2027 respectively [9]

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for the company with a target price of 42.89 HKD [7][12]. Core Insights - The company's 2024 annual report shows revenue of 5.012 billion RMB, a year-on-year increase of 47.9%, and a net profit of 890 million RMB, marking a turnaround from losses [1][6]. - The growth in 2024 is primarily driven by a 64.2% increase in gaming revenue, supported by self-developed games such as "Let's Go Muffin," "Heart Town," and "Lily of the Valley" [1][2]. - The company has improved its gross margin by 8.4 percentage points to 69.4%, with the gaming segment's gross margin rising by 15.9 percentage points to 62.6% [1][2]. - The company plans to distribute dividends for the first time, proposing a dividend of 0.4 HKD per share [1]. Revenue and Profit Forecast - The company is expected to achieve a net profit of 1.021 billion RMB in 2025, with projections of 10.2 billion RMB and 12.1 billion RMB for 2025 and 2026, respectively [4][20]. - The gaming business is projected to generate revenues of 3.5 billion RMB in 2025 and 3.6 billion RMB in 2026, with a gross margin of 62% [12][20]. Taptap Platform Performance - The Taptap platform's average monthly active users (MAU) in 2024 are expected to reach 44.05 million, a 23% year-on-year increase, with projected revenue of 1.58 billion RMB, up 21.6% [3][4]. - The platform's gross margin is anticipated to slightly increase to 84.3% in 2024, supported by marketing activities and new game releases [3][4]. Valuation Metrics - The report employs a Sum-of-the-Parts (SOTP) valuation method, assigning a 5.5x price-to-sales (PS) multiple for the Taptap platform and a 17.4x price-to-earnings (PE) multiple for the gaming business [4][12]. - The target market capitalization is estimated at 19.585 billion RMB, translating to a target price of 42.89 HKD per share [12][14].