Youdao(US:DAO) BOCOM International·2025-05-20 02:37Company Insights - The report highlights that Youdao (DAO US) has focused on its core business, resulting in profits significantly exceeding expectations. The company is expected to see a continuous improvement in profitability trends [1] - For Q1 2025, Youdao's learning services are concentrating on AI and high school education, creating a differentiated competitive advantage. The steady increase in high school business revenue and retention rates is noted, with business restructuring expected to conclude by the end of the year, leading to a recovery in growth [1] - The advertising business is anticipated to accelerate growth in the second half of the year, driven by technological advancements and partnerships. The hardware segment aims to achieve profitability throughout the year [1] - Based on the better-than-expected Q1 performance, the profit forecast for 2025 has been raised by 5.7%, maintaining a target price of $12.00 and a buy rating [1] Industry Insights - The e-commerce sector showed stable growth in April 2025, with adjusted year-on-year retail sales increasing by 6.1%. The expansion of the trade-in subsidy policy has led to a 20% year-on-year growth in communication equipment sales, while home appliance demand has surged by 39% compared to March [4] - The 618 shopping festival is expected to see platforms extending promotional periods and simplifying sales strategies, shifting focus from absolute low prices to a balance of price, quality, and experience [4] - Major platforms have reported Q1 results exceeding expectations, with Alibaba benefiting from an increase in monetization rates, JD.com showing robust growth in retail revenue and profits, and Pinduoduo experiencing a slowdown in revenue growth due to investments in its e-commerce ecosystem [4][5] - The report emphasizes the importance of monitoring the continuation of government subsidies and the impact of the 618 shopping festival on e-commerce platforms [5]