Core Viewpoint - Qifu Technology (NASDAQ: QFIN) is rated as a 'Strong Buy' due to its cheap valuation, strong growth, good business economics, and potential for a turnaround in the Chinese economy [1] Group 1: Company Analysis - The company has a strong growth trajectory and favorable business economics, making it an attractive investment opportunity [1] - The valuation of Qifu Technology is considered cheap, indicating potential for price appreciation [1] Group 2: Market Context - There is an expectation of a turnaround in the Chinese economy, which could serve as a catalyst for Qifu Technology's performance [1]

Core Insights - The AICon Global AI Development and Application Conference highlighted the transformative impact of AI on the financial industry, emphasizing a shift from efficiency tools to value engines [1][3] - 2025 is projected to be a pivotal year for AI technology to fundamentally alter core business scenarios in finance, driven by advancements in foundational models and AI Agent technology [3][4] Financial Industry Developments - The continuous evolution of foundational models like DeepSeek and breakthroughs in AI Agent technology have enabled the financial sector to reach a critical point in its intelligent transformation [3] - Qifu Technology has developed an end-to-end risk control capability system based on rigorous innovation in core risk control modules, improving accuracy and efficiency in risk assessment [3] - The company has enhanced its data mining capabilities through multi-modal video capabilities, achieving over 95% accuracy in user feature consistency verification [3] Applications in Financial Services - The intelligent research report system for the securities industry utilizes large models to instantly analyze vast amounts of financial report data, significantly improving analyst efficiency [3] - In the insurance sector, an intelligent underwriting system employs knowledge graphs and multi-turn dialogue technology to drastically reduce the processing time for complex policies [3] - The consumer finance sector benefits from dynamic risk pricing optimization through 360-degree user profiling and cross-validation with macroeconomic data [3] Future Outlook - The integration of AI and finance is expected to lead to a significant transformation in the industry, marking the beginning of a century-long change in financial value creation [4] - The ongoing technological innovations centered around large models are anticipated to break traditional constraints and pave the way for a more efficient, precise, and creative development path in the financial sector [4]

Core Insights - Qifu Technology has been recognized as the "Most Honored Company" in the 2025 Extel Asia Best Managed Teams rankings, highlighting its leadership in corporate governance and investor relations within the fintech sector [1][2] - The company excelled in several sub-categories, including "Best CEO," "Best CFO," and "Best Investor Relations Professional," reinforcing its status as a benchmark in Asia's fintech industry [1][2] Company Performance - In Q1 2025, Qifu reported significant growth, connecting with 163 financial institution partners and reaching 268 million registered users, with 58.4 million credit-approved users [3] - The company facilitated loan origination amounting to RMB 88,883 million, reflecting a 15.8% year-over-year increase, driven by its "AI + Finance" strategy [3] - Qifu is developing the industry's first intelligent agent for its core credit business, which includes multiple smart modules aimed at enhancing operational efficiency [3]

Core Viewpoint - Qifu Technology, Inc. (QFIN) shows potential for significant upside, with a mean price target of $54.80 indicating a 28.9% increase from the current price of $42.52 [1] Price Targets - The average price target consists of four estimates ranging from a low of $50 to a high of $58.50, with a standard deviation of $4.14, suggesting a consensus among analysts [2] - The lowest estimate indicates a 17.6% increase, while the highest suggests a 37.6% upside [2] - A low standard deviation indicates a high degree of agreement among analysts regarding the stock's price movement [9] Analyst Sentiment - Analysts are optimistic about QFIN's earnings prospects, as indicated by upward revisions in earnings estimates, which historically correlate with stock price movements [11] - Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has increased by 0.1%, with one estimate moving higher and no negative revisions [12] Zacks Rank - QFIN holds a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy), placing it in the top 5% of over 4,000 ranked stocks based on earnings estimate factors, indicating strong potential for near-term upside [13]

Economic Overview - The first quarter economic data from China indicates a positive signal, with a notable recovery in the consumer market, laying a solid foundation for the annual economic performance [1] - The total retail sales of consumer goods reached 12.4671 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 4.6%, accelerating by 1.1 percentage points compared to the previous year [1] - In March, retail sales grew by 5.9% year-on-year, an acceleration of 1.9 percentage points compared to January-February, with a month-on-month growth of 0.58% [1] Financial Technology Companies Performance - Four Chinese financial technology companies focusing on consumer credit—Xiaoying Technology, Xinyi Technology, Lexin, and Qifu Technology—reported strong growth in their first-quarter financial results, reflecting the role of consumer finance in boosting consumption [1][2] - Xiaoying Technology reported a revenue of 1.938 billion yuan and a total loan facilitation of 35.149 billion yuan in the first quarter of fiscal year 2025, with a loan balance of 58.403 billion yuan [2][3] - Xinyi Technology achieved a revenue of 3.481 billion yuan and a net profit of 738 million yuan, with a total transaction amount of 52.1 billion yuan, marking a year-on-year growth of 7.9% [3][4] - Lexin's first-quarter revenue reached 3.1 billion yuan, with a non-GAAP EBIT of 580 million yuan, showing a significant year-on-year increase of 104.7% [4] - Qifu Technology reported a net income of 4.691 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 12.94%, with a total loan facilitation of 88.883 billion yuan, reflecting a growth of 15.8% [5] Market Trends and Future Outlook - The performance of financial technology companies is attributed to the recovery of the consumer market and the significant role of consumer credit in stimulating consumption [6] - Despite the positive first-quarter data, uncertainties remain regarding the sustainability and strength of the consumption recovery, with underlying issues such as income growth and consumer confidence needing further attention [6][7] - Recent government policies aimed at stabilizing the real estate market and expanding domestic demand have shown initial effectiveness, contributing to the overall economic stabilization [2][6] - The focus on service consumption as a key area for future economic stimulus reflects the government's commitment to enhancing consumer spending [6][7]

Core Viewpoint - QFIN Technology (奇富科技) has demonstrated impressive financial performance, with a quarterly revenue of 46.9 billion and a net profit of 18 million, attracting positive attention from various brokerage firms [1][2][3] Financial Performance - The company reported a quarterly revenue of 46.9 billion and a net profit of 18 million [1] - Major brokerage firms have upgraded their ratings and target prices for QFIN Technology, with Citigroup and Bank of America setting target prices at $58.5 and $52.7 respectively, while CICC maintains a "outperform" rating for the Hong Kong stock with a target price of 253.4 HKD [2] Business Overview - QFIN Technology primarily operates in the credit sector, leveraging AI technology to enhance its business processes [4][5] - The company has established partnerships with 163 financial institutions, serving 58 million users, indicating a strong market presence [6] Technological Integration - The integration of AI into core business processes such as customer acquisition, approval, and risk control has led to significant operational improvements [7] - Key performance indicators show a 6% year-on-year increase in new credit users and a 15.8% increase in loan facilitation volume [10] Cost Control and Competitive Advantage - Effective cost control is crucial for survival and profitability in the financial industry, and QFIN Technology has established a leading advantage in this area [11][12] - The company's intelligent ecosystem is expected to reduce marginal costs and increase marginal returns, thereby enhancing profit margins [13] Business Growth Opportunities - QFIN Technology's subsidiary, QFIN Data Technology, has seen a 144% year-on-year growth in business scale through partnerships with mid-sized city commercial banks [14] - The ongoing investment in AI is likely to lead to a reassessment of the company's long-term value in the market [15] Valuation and Market Position - The competitive barriers created by the credit intelligence model are expected to enhance earnings per share (EPS) and drive valuation increases [16] - The company's first-mover advantage in the intelligent ecosystem positions it favorably for future industry competition, potentially leading to a scarcity premium [17]

Core Insights - The core focus of Qifu Technology is on AI integration within its operations, emphasizing a company-wide shift towards AI-driven strategies and projects [1][2][3] Financial Performance - Qifu Technology reported strong performance in Q1 2025, with AI being a central theme in their financial results and management discussions [1] - The company has established a large model team in the fintech sector, directly managed by CEO Wu Haisheng, indicating a significant commitment to AI [1] AI Strategy and Implementation - The company launched an "all-in AI" initiative, encouraging all employees to participate in AI-related projects, marking a shift from a cautious approach to a more aggressive AI strategy [2][4] - The "Deepbank" project aims to redefine the financial industry's intelligent paradigm, with a focus on rapid output and implementation [2][3] Employee Engagement and Culture - Qifu Technology has created a culture of urgency and excitement around AI, with numerous internal meetings and discussions to align employees on AI strategies [3][4] - Different employee groups have emerged, including those who are enthusiastic, anxious, or resistant to change, reflecting a diverse range of attitudes towards the AI transformation [4] Investment and Resource Allocation - The company has committed to unprecedented investments in AI, with no upper limit on budgets for AI-related human resources and development [7][11] - Qifu Technology's "Deepbank Star Sea Plan" aims to attract top AI talent, offering competitive salaries and internal mobility opportunities [10][11] AI Application and Development - The company has begun implementing AI agents in its core business processes, significantly improving operational efficiency and decision-making capabilities [14][15] - Qifu Technology's AI decision-making module has shown promising results, with a model AUC value of 0.64 in risk prediction, indicating effective AI integration [14] Strategic Partnerships - Qifu Technology has signed "AI+ Financial Strategic Cooperation Agreements" with multiple banks, focusing on enhancing marketing, risk control, and decision-making processes [15] - The CEO emphasized that AI technology is crucial for the next generation of fintech, positioning the company for long-term growth through AI-driven innovations [15]

Core Viewpoint - QFIN's stock price increased by 2.49% to $43.57 per share, with a market capitalization of $5.859 billion as of May 23 [1] - For the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024, QFIN reported total revenue of 17.166 billion RMB, a year-on-year increase of 5.38%, and a net profit attributable to shareholders of 6.264 billion RMB, a year-on-year increase of 46.18% [1] Group 1: Company Overview - QFIN is a leading credit technology platform in China, focused on providing innovative credit services to financial institutions, consumers, and small and micro enterprises [2][3] - The company aims to enhance the accessibility and personalization of credit services through technology solutions, helping financial institutions identify and assess potential borrowers [2][3] Group 2: Target Audience - The company targets consumers who are underserved by traditional financial institutions, particularly those with short credit histories and high growth potential [3] - QFIN also focuses on small and micro enterprises that lack sufficient credit history or collateral, offering tailored loan products to meet their needs [4] Group 3: Service Offerings - QFIN provides two main types of services: credit-driven services and platform services, both designed to improve the lending process and borrower experience [4][5] - Credit-driven services involve matching potential borrowers with financial institutions, where QFIN assumes some credit risk [4][6] - Platform services include a range of technology solutions for different stages of the loan lifecycle, such as borrower acquisition and credit assessment, without assuming credit risk [5][6] Group 4: Technology Solutions - The company utilizes its "Intelligent Credit Engine" (ICE) to provide smart marketing services and assist financial institutions in initial credit screening [6][7] - QFIN also offers risk management SaaS services to help financial institutions improve their credit assessment processes [7]

Core Viewpoint - Q1 2025 performance of Qifu Technology exceeded previous expectations, driven by higher loan volumes and improved funding costs [1][2] Financial Performance - Q1 2025 revenue increased by 13% year-on-year and 5% quarter-on-quarter to 4.69 billion yuan, while non-GAAP net profit rose by 60% year-on-year but decreased by 2% quarter-on-quarter to 1.93 billion yuan [1][2] - The net service fee rate was approximately 5.6%, slightly down from 5.96% in Q4 2024, attributed to a decrease in average funding costs and stable asset quality [2] Loan Volume and Structure - Q1 2025 loan volume increased by 16% year-on-year but decreased by 1% quarter-on-quarter to 88.9 billion yuan, with technology solution loans accounting for about 49% [1] - The company expects loan volume growth of 5%-10% year-on-year for 2025, maintaining previous forecasts [1] Shareholder Returns - The company maintains a semi-annual dividend policy, with cash dividends of $0.6 and $0.7 per ADS planned for 1H24 and 2H24 respectively [2] - As of May 19, 2025, the company has repurchased 9.1 million ADS for approximately $405 million, with total repurchase expected to be no less than $680 million for 2025 [2] Regulatory Environment - The introduction of the "Assisted Loan New Regulations" is expected to promote industry standardization and eliminate unreasonable pricing behaviors, benefiting compliant institutions like the company [3] Earnings Forecast and Valuation - Earnings forecasts for 2025 and 2026 have been raised by 2% and 4% to 7.17 billion yuan and 7.82 billion yuan respectively due to optimized funding and credit costs [3] - The company's current trading multiples are 7.1x and 6.5x for 2025 and 2026 P/E in the US market, and 6.6x and 6.0x in the Hong Kong market, with target prices maintained at $60.0 and HK$253.4 [3]

Core Viewpoint - Momentum investing focuses on following a stock's recent price trends, aiming to buy high and sell higher, with the expectation that established trends will continue [1] Company Summary: Qifu Technology, Inc. (QFIN) - QFIN currently holds a Momentum Style Score of B, indicating a positive momentum outlook [2] - The company has a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy), suggesting strong potential for outperformance in the market [3] - Over the past week, QFIN shares increased by 4.02%, outperforming the Zacks Technology Services industry, which rose by 2.63% [5] - In a longer timeframe, QFIN's monthly price change is 14.66%, compared to the industry's 10.22% [5] - Over the last quarter, QFIN shares rose by 8.35%, and over the past year, they have surged by 112.04%, while the S&P 500 saw movements of -2.63% and 13.25%, respectively [6] - The average 20-day trading volume for QFIN is 1,527,784 shares, indicating a bullish sign with rising stock prices [7] Earnings Outlook - Recent earnings estimate revisions for QFIN show positive trends, with 2 estimates moving higher and none lower over the past two months [9] - The consensus earnings estimate for QFIN increased from $6.58 to $6.93 in the last 60 days, reflecting a positive outlook [9] - For the next fiscal year, 2 estimates have also moved upwards, with no downward revisions [9] Conclusion - Given the strong performance metrics and positive earnings outlook, QFIN is positioned as a promising momentum pick for investors [11]