Investment Highlights - The company is initiating coverage on Zhizi City Technology (09911) with an "outperform" rating and a target price of HKD 11.30, based on a 14x Non-IFRS P/E valuation for 2025, implying a 2x P/S valuation for 2025 [1] - The company has launched dozens of applications and casual games in the social and gaming sectors, serving over 1 billion users across more than 100 countries and regions, with a focus on the Middle East and North Africa while actively expanding into Southeast Asia, Europe, and Japan [1] Market Opportunity - The global social application market is expected to grow from USD 61 billion in 2023 to over USD 300 billion by 2030, with a CAGR of 26%, indicating a healthy growth environment for overseas entertainment social platforms [1] - The company believes that smaller platforms with cultural depth can seize structural opportunities due to the limitations faced by major players amid geopolitical tensions [1] Product Matrix and Business Strategy - The company has strengthened its core business through the acquisition of Mico World, diversifying into niche social segments while maintaining a "bush" strategy that enhances commercialization efficiency [2] - The company expects MICO and YoHo to enter a mature phase, contributing stable cash flow, while SUGO and TopTop are anticipated to support revenue growth [2] Global Expansion and Innovation - The company has positioned the Middle East and North Africa as a long-term strategic region, contributing over 50% of its social revenue, and plans to deepen its presence in high ARPU markets in Europe and the U.S. [3] - The company estimates that several products in the growth phase will contribute approximately 10% of social revenue in 2024, supporting future performance breakthroughs [3] - The company anticipates that marketing expenses may remain high in the short term but expects operational leverage to gradually improve as customer acquisition efficiency increases [3] Earnings Forecast and Valuation - The company projects EPS of 0.8 CNY and 1.0 CNY for 2025 and 2026, respectively, with a CAGR of 54% [3] - The initial coverage gives an "outperform" rating based on a 14x Non-IFRS P/E for 2025, with a target price of HKD 11.30, representing a 20% upside from current trading levels [3]

Group 1: Social Business Performance - The social business revenue of Zhi Zi Cheng Technology (09911.HK) grew by 39.1% year-on-year to approximately 44.3 million in Q1 2025, driven by the application of artificial intelligence and optimization of social recommendation algorithms [1] - Despite facing temporary headwinds in March and April due to the Ramadan holiday, the business rebounded quickly in May, with the main social product Sugo achieving a monthly revenue of about 24 million and approximately 4 million monthly active users [1] - The strong growth trend continued into June, with minimal impact from geopolitical tensions in the Middle East [1] Group 2: Innovative Business Growth - Zhi Zi Cheng Technology's innovative business also showed satisfactory progress in Q1 2025, achieving a year-on-year growth of 66.7% to 88.2%, driven by boutique games and social e-commerce platforms [1] - The success of Alice's Dream is seen as a positive signal for this business segment, with expectations that new boutique games will achieve breakeven faster and provide higher investment returns [1] Group 3: Global Headquarters and Growth Potential - Zhi Zi Cheng Technology has established its global headquarters and AI research center in Hong Kong, leveraging the international business environment, mature capital markets, and top talent resources to enhance AI applications in operations [2] - The company has shown robust growth in revenue and attributable profit, with products like Sugo, TopTop, and Blued expected to continue growing, providing substantial returns to shareholders [2] - The company’s strong cash reserves enable it to acquire potential businesses like Lan Cheng Brothers, and macroeconomic factors such as the recovery of valuations for Chinese companies and peak risk-free interest rates are expected to positively impact the company's valuation [2]

Core Insights - In May, ByteDance maintained a significant lead in overseas revenue among non-gaming Chinese companies, while Ruqi Software saw a revenue surge of over 32.4% due to its AI-enhanced app features [3][4] - Meitu's overseas revenue increased by over 12.4% driven by its AI features in the app "Wink," contributing to its stable ranking [3] - Xiaohongshu, rebranded as "rednote," experienced a 75% increase in overseas revenue, helping its parent company rise in rankings [4] Non-Gaming Companies - ByteDance ranked first with 78 apps, maintaining its leading position in overseas revenue [1] - Ruqi Software's app "PictureThis" achieved an estimated monthly revenue of nearly 100 million yuan, marking a continuous growth trend [3] - Meitu's "BeautyCam" and other apps are part of its strategy to embrace AI, contributing to revenue growth [3] - Xiaohongshu's global strategy has led to a stable monthly active user base exceeding 10 million [4] - Youku's overseas version saw an 18.9% revenue increase due to popular content, allowing it to return to the rankings [4] Gaming Companies - Diandian Interactive's new game "Kingshot" saw a revenue increase of over 81.7%, reaching an estimated 190 million yuan [7] - Lilith's game "AFK Journey" experienced a revenue growth of over 54.9%, particularly in the U.S. market [7] - NetEase's new game "Dunk City Dynasty" generated over 1 million USD in less than ten days, indicating potential for future growth [8] - Jiangyu Interactive's "Top Heroes" achieved an estimated revenue of nearly 230 million yuan, contributing to its ranking improvement [8] - Yishijie’s new game "Lands of Jail" generated over 8.21 million USD, with a growth rate of over 75.4% [9]

Summary of the Conference Call for ZhiZi City Technology Company Overview - ZhiZi City Technology's social business revenue reached 4.6 billion RMB in 2024, accounting for 91% of total revenue, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) exceeding 30% over the past three years [2][4][6] - The innovative business revenue is less than 10% of total revenue, with a CAGR of approximately 20% [2][4] - Overall revenue growth for the company was 54% in 2024 [2][6] Shareholding Structure - Founder Liu holds approximately 19% of shares, with a total of 24% held by concerted parties and about 40% by management and executives [2][5] - The chairman has consistently increased his holdings and implemented equity incentives, demonstrating confidence in the company's long-term development [2][5] Market Dynamics - The demand for social networking in the pan-population market is robust, with ZhiZi City’s applications like Sogou capitalizing on this opportunity [2][7] - The company has shown strong performance in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) markets, driven by economic development and secularization trends that boost online entertainment demand [2][7] Competitive Advantage - ZhiZi City has built core competitiveness through localized operations, multi-country and multi-product strategies, and a diverse product matrix, particularly in the MENA region [2][7][8] - Key applications in the pan-population social sector include Mico, YULHO, TopTop, and SUGO, with SUGO achieving over 4 million monthly active users and monthly revenue exceeding 20 million USD [2][8] Financial Performance - The company expects revenue to approach 7 billion RMB in 2025, representing a year-on-year growth of approximately 36%-37% [3][12] - GAAP net profit is projected to be 980 million RMB, with a target valuation of 19.5 billion RMB, corresponding to a stock price of about 15 HKD [3][12] Business Model and Growth - ZhiZi City began its overseas market involvement in 2010, initially focusing on tool-based desktop launchers and mobile advertising platforms [4] - The company entered a rapid growth phase in social development after investing in Mico World in 2019 and completing the privatization of Blue City Brothers in 2022 [4][10] Performance of Core Applications - Mico, YULHO, and TopTop are performing strongly, with Mico expected to become the largest overseas application by 2025 [9] - Sogou remains the top-ranked application in the Middle East due to early market entry and effective user acquisition strategies [9] Blue City Brothers - Blue City Brothers focuses on the LGBTQ+ online social needs, with a strong consumer base and revenue expected to increase in 2025 [10] - The company has adjusted its revenue structure to reduce reliance on live streaming and increase high-margin membership and advertising revenue [10] Innovative Business - The innovative business primarily targets the overseas casual gaming sector, with notable success in match-3 games [11] - The game "Alice Dream" achieved over 60% revenue growth in 2024 and is expected to contribute profits in 2025 [11] Valuation and Profit Forecast - The expected valuation for ZhiZi City is 19.5 billion RMB, with a projected revenue of nearly 7 billion RMB in 2025 [12] - The company’s valuation reflects a PE ratio of around 20 times, indicating a relatively attractive investment opportunity [12]

Group 1 - The Hang Seng Index rose by 0.33%, gaining 79 points to reach 24,261 points, while the Hang Seng Tech Index fell by 0.33% [1] - Insurance funds continue to increase holdings in Chinese bank stocks, with institutions indicating significant valuation recovery potential for Hong Kong bank stocks [1] - Bank of Communications (01988) rose by 3.47%, China Everbright Bank (06818) increased by 1.86%, and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (01398) gained 1.68% [1] - Three-Synch Pharmaceutical (01530) surged over 11% to a new high after reaching a significant licensing agreement with Pfizer, with strong ASCO data performance [1] - Innovent Biologics (01801) rose over 3.42%, with a year-to-date increase of over 120%, as Morgan Stanley anticipates further clinical catalysts to boost stock performance [1] - InnoCare Pharma-B (09606) increased by 13%, recently disclosing clinical data for DB-1310, attracting attention from international pharmaceutical giants [1] - China Rare Earth (00769) surged over 17%, following a 60% increase in trading volume, with positive signals for rare earth exports [1] - Pop Mart International (09992) rose by 2.47%, continuing to set historical highs, with its Labubu brand gaining global popularity [1] - Airline stocks continued their recent upward trend, benefiting from falling oil prices and the appreciation of the Renminbi, with institutions optimistic about airline profitability [1] - Air China (00753) rose by 4.5%, China Eastern Airlines (00670) increased by 4.42%, China Southern Airlines (01055) gained 4.18%, and BOC Aviation (02588) rose by 3.42% [1] Group 2 - Zhi Zi Cheng Technology (09911) rose over 7%, approaching historical highs, as the company plans to establish its global headquarters in Hong Kong, with institutions optimistic about future profit margin improvement [2] - Dekang Agriculture and Animal Husbandry (02419) increased by 4.97% to a new high, with the company reporting sales of 869,400 pigs in May, drawing market attention to industry capacity regulation progress [2] - Shide Global (00487) surged nearly 140%, as Australia’s Crown Resorts expressed interest in acquiring the property where the Sixteen Piers Casino is located [2]

Core Insights - The establishment of the global headquarters in Hong Kong marks a significant milestone for the company, reflecting its decade-long journey in global expansion and its transition from initial market entry to deeper global engagement [1][3] Group 1: Company Overview - Founded in 2009, the company began its global expansion in 2013 and was listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 2019 [3] - As of 2024, the company has surpassed HKD 5 billion in revenue, with products like MICO and YOUNOW reaching over 150 countries [3] - The company has established over 20 operational centers in regions such as the Middle East and Southeast Asia, leveraging a dual advantage of localized operations and technology-driven strategies [3] Group 2: Strategic Location and AI Focus - The choice of Hong Kong for the global headquarters is strategic, as it serves as a vital global hub with a favorable business environment, mature capital markets, and access to top talent [3][4] - The company plans to enhance its AI research and development efforts in Hong Kong, focusing on innovations in "AI + social entertainment" such as intelligent content generation and precise recommendation algorithms [3][4] Group 3: Collaboration and Recruitment - The headquarters will act as a hub for industry-academia collaboration, with plans to establish an AI research center in partnership with local universities [4] - The company aims to centralize 90% of its business profits in Hong Kong and has initiated local recruitment, expecting a high proportion of local employees [4] Group 4: Government Support and Funding - The Hong Kong government has introduced significant funding initiatives, including a HKD 3 billion AI funding program and a HKD 10 billion innovation and technology fund, which align with the company's technological upgrade needs [5]

Group 1 - The global headquarters of the company, ZhiZi City Technology, was officially launched in Hong Kong, marking a significant milestone in its globalization strategy [1][4] - The company has established over 20 operational centers in markets such as the Middle East and Southeast Asia, with its products reaching over 150 countries and regions [5] - The chairman of the company emphasized Hong Kong's international business environment, mature capital market, and top talent resources as key factors for the headquarters' establishment [4] Group 2 - The company plans to focus on two main directions in Hong Kong: exploring deep applications of artificial intelligence in social entertainment and gathering global talent to promote industry-academia-research collaboration [8] - The establishment of the global headquarters in Hong Kong follows the opening of a regional headquarters in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, enhancing the company's connection with the Middle Eastern market [8] - The company aims to foster innovation and collaboration with the Hong Kong government, industry partners, and investment institutions to create a positive global impact [8]

Group 1 - Core viewpoint: The company is strategically positioned to capitalize on the overseas internet population dividend and the high growth trend of audio and video social networking, continuously exploring niche market demands and expanding its product matrix to initiate a new growth cycle [1] - Key insight 1: The company's core business advantages include strong organizational capabilities, deep local product operations, a multi-country and multi-product strategy that allows for low marginal costs and rapid iteration, and a diverse product offering that meets various emotional value needs across different social scenarios [1] - Key insight 2: The acquisition of BlueCity Brothers is a rare asset, and the launch of the HeeSay brand overseas aims to tap into the growing LGBTQ market, with the company’s product Blued maintaining a leading position in the domestic LGBTQ social sector [1] Group 2 - Key insight 3: The global casual gaming market is expanding, with the company’s flagship game "Alice's Dream: Merge Island" projected to achieve a 60% year-on-year revenue growth in 2024 and potentially become profitable by the fourth quarter of 2024 [2] - Key insight 4: The company has several mobile games in the pipeline, which are expected to contribute additional revenue in the latter half of the year [2] - Financial forecast: The company’s revenue and profit are expected to steadily increase, with projected revenues of 6.6 billion, 8.3 billion, and 10.3 billion yuan for 2025-2027, and corresponding net profits of 980 million, 1.34 billion, and 1.78 billion yuan [2]

Investment Rating - The report assigns a "Buy" rating for the company, marking its first coverage [1]. Core Insights - The company is positioned as a pioneer in overseas social networking, leveraging a diverse product matrix to capture global opportunities [8]. - The report highlights the company's stable core business in social networking, with strong growth potential from late-stage products [8]. - The acquisition of BlueCity Brothers is noted as a strategic move to tap into the growing LGBTQ market, with the launch of the HeeSay brand aimed at expanding into Southeast Asia and Western markets [9]. - The company is also expanding its presence in the casual gaming sector, with a notable increase in revenue from its flagship game [10]. Company Overview - The company has a decade-long history of development, combining self-developed and acquired products to build a diverse product matrix [14][15]. - The business model is divided into two main segments: social business and innovative business, with social business contributing the majority of revenue [17]. Financial Performance - Revenue is projected to grow significantly, with estimates of 6.628 billion in 2025, 8.297 billion in 2026, and 10.274 billion in 2027 [6]. - The company expects a rebound in net profit, forecasting 980 million in 2025, 1.335 billion in 2026, and 1.774 billion in 2027 [6]. - The adjusted EBITDA is also anticipated to rise, with projections of 1.319 billion in 2025 and 1.739 billion in 2026 [6]. Market Position - The global social application market is experiencing rapid growth, with the company focusing on localized operations and a multi-modal product strategy to meet diverse user needs [36][41]. - The report indicates that the company has a strong understanding of local markets, which enhances its operational effectiveness [56]. Product Strategy - The company has developed a multi-product strategy that allows for rapid iteration and testing, reducing marginal costs and diversifying market risk [57]. - Key products include MICO, YoHo, TopTop, and SUGO, each targeting different social interaction needs [8][9]. Growth Potential - The report emphasizes the potential for significant growth in the LGBTQ social networking space, particularly through the HeeSay brand [9]. - The casual gaming segment is also highlighted as a promising area, with expectations for continued revenue growth from new game releases [10].

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for the company, with a target price of HKD 12.24 based on a 17X PE for 2025 [1][7][5]. Core Viewpoints - The company is a leading social media player in China, focusing on overseas markets with a diverse product matrix that includes successful social products like MICO, YoHo, Blued, and high-growth products like TopTop and SUGO. The flagship gaming business has also made significant breakthroughs, and social e-commerce is rapidly growing, indicating a potential entry into a profitable cycle [1][17][19]. Summary by Sections Social Business - The company has established a robust product matrix in the social sector, with MICO and YoHo contributing to the revenue base. Newer products like SUGO have shown remarkable growth, with 2024 revenue increasing over 200% and average monthly revenue surpassing USD 10 million. TopTop also saw over 100% revenue growth in the same period [2][17][30]. Innovative Business - The innovative segment, which includes premium games and social e-commerce, achieved revenue of RMB 460 million in 2024, a year-on-year increase of 21.3%. The flagship game, "Alice's Dream: Merge Island," generated a total revenue of RMB 705 million, reflecting an 80.4% increase. The social e-commerce sector is also expanding rapidly, driven by customer demand and product diversification [3][19][32]. Market Perspective - The report highlights a divergence from market sentiment regarding the company's long-term growth potential. It argues that the company has developed effective methodologies for creating successful social products, with rapid growth in newer products like TopTop and SUGO expected to become pillar products. The company has established over 20 global operational centers, supporting its expansion strategy [4][20][21]. Financial Forecast and Valuation - The company’s revenue is projected to reach RMB 6.454 billion in 2025, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 44.89% for net profit from 2025 to 2027. The report adjusts the net profit forecast for 2025-2027 to RMB 949 million, RMB 1.225 billion, and RMB 1.461 billion, respectively, reflecting increases of 7.4%, 20%, and 23% [5][6][12].