BIDU(BIDU) 交银国际·2025-05-22 11:19Investment Rating - The report assigns a "Buy" rating for Baidu (BIDU US) with a target price of 85.48 [2][4][14]. Core Insights - Baidu's cloud business performance significantly exceeded expectations, while the monetization of AI search is anticipated to take more time [2][7]. - The first quarter of 2025 saw total revenue of 32.5 billion RMB, a year-on-year increase of 3%, surpassing market expectations by 5% [7]. - Adjusted net profit for the same period was 6.5 billion RMB, with a net profit margin of 20%, also exceeding expectations [7]. - The report highlights a strong demand for generative AI and large models, contributing to a 42% year-on-year increase in cloud revenue, which now constitutes 26% of core revenue [7][8]. - The report anticipates a continued decline in advertising revenue due to the ongoing transformation of AI search, projecting a 9% decrease for the full year 2025 [7][9]. Financial Overview - Revenue projections for Baidu are as follows: 134,598 million RMB in 2023, 133,125 million RMB in 2024, and an estimated 135,508 million RMB in 2025, with a slight growth expected thereafter [3][15]. - Net profit is projected to decline from 28,747 million RMB in 2023 to 21,014 million RMB in 2025, reflecting a significant drop in earnings per share (EPS) from 80.91 RMB to 60.65 RMB [3][15]. - The report notes a decrease in the price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio from 7.6 in 2023 to an estimated 10.2 in 2025, indicating a shift in valuation metrics [3][15]. Business Segment Performance - Baidu's core business revenue is expected to be 25,463 million RMB in Q1 2025, with online marketing services projected to decline by 11% year-on-year [8][9]. - The cloud segment is expected to grow significantly, with revenue estimates of 6,630 million RMB for Q1 2025, reflecting a 42% increase year-on-year [8][9]. - The report also highlights the growth of Baidu's autonomous driving and new business segments, with a 34% increase in revenue year-on-year [8][9]. Market Position and Future Outlook - The report emphasizes the importance of AI search product monetization and the sustainability of high growth in the AI cloud segment [7][9]. - Baidu's strategic expansion into international markets, including the launch of Robotaxi services, is expected to enhance its global footprint [7][9]. - The report concludes with a cautious outlook on advertising revenue, projecting continued challenges in the near term due to the transition to AI-driven services [7][9].