PDD vs. JD: Which Chinese E-Commerce Stock Is the Better Buy?

Core Insights - China's e-commerce landscape is rapidly evolving, with PDD Holdings and JD.com as dominant players, each with distinct business models [1][2] - Recent financial results from both companies indicate potential investment opportunities as China's economy stabilizes and consumer confidence improves [2] PDD Holdings - PDD Holdings reported a 24% year-over-year revenue growth in Q4 2024, reaching RMB 110.6 billion ( $15.15 billion), and a full-year growth of 59% [4] - Transaction services revenues surged by 33% in Q4, showcasing strong monetization capabilities [4] - Non-GAAP operating profit increased by 14% to RMB 28 billion, with non-GAAP net income at RMB 29.9 billion [4] - Operating margin compressed to 24% in Q4 2024 from 28% in the previous year due to significant ecosystem investments [5] - Global expansion through Temu faces challenges, including increased competition and regulatory scrutiny, particularly in the U.S. [6] - Consensus earnings estimate for 2025 is$ 11.99 per share, reflecting a 5.92% growth from 2024, but has decreased by 1.8% over the past 30 days [7] JD.com - JD.com achieved a 13.4% year-over-year revenue growth in Q4 2024, totaling RMB 347 billion ( $47.5 billion), with full-year revenues at RMB 1.16 trillion, up 6.8% [8][9] - JD Retail revenues grew by 14.7% in Q4, with electronics and home appliances increasing by 15.8% [9] - Operating margin for JD Retail improved to 3.3% in Q4 and 4.0% for the full year, with non-GAAP net income rising 36% year-over-year to RMB 47.8 billion [10] - JD's logistics capabilities and strategic expansion into on-demand retail enhance user engagement and create competitive advantages [11] - The company offers shareholder returns through a$ 1.0 annual dividend per ADS and a $5 billion share repurchase program [12] - Consensus earnings estimate for 2025 is$ 4.76 per share, indicating an 11.74% year-over-year growth [12] Price Performance and Valuation - PDD shares have declined by 3.2% over the past year, underperforming the Zacks Retail-Wholesale sector's growth of 16.2%, while JD shares have returned 52.8% [13][14] - JD trades at a forward P/E of 8.24x, significantly below the industry average of 19.25x, indicating it is undervalued [16] - PDD's forward P/E is 9.17x, reflecting market concerns about its growth strategy and potential volatility in revenue and profit performance [17] Investment Outlook - JD.com is positioned as the superior investment choice due to consistent margin expansion, strategic logistics investments, and diversified growth drivers [20] - JD's valuation discount and tangible shareholder returns create a compelling risk-reward profile, especially as China's consumption recovery gains momentum [20] - JD currently holds a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy), while PDD has a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold) [21]