HTSC·2025-11-14 05:34Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for Tencent with a target price of HKD 792.53, up from the previous HKD 759.47 [6][35]. Core Insights - Tencent's 3Q performance exceeded expectations with a revenue growth of 15.4%, driven by increases in value-added services, advertising, and fintech revenues, which grew by 16%, 21%, and 10% respectively [1][2]. - The adjusted net profit for 3Q increased by 18%, surpassing expectations by 7%, primarily due to higher earnings from associated companies [1][6]. - The report highlights the potential of Tencent's gaming segment, particularly with the upcoming release of "Delta Action" expected to generate over RMB 18 billion in revenue in 2026 [1][20]. Revenue and Profitability - 3Q revenue reached RMB 192.9 billion, with a year-over-year growth of 15.4%, exceeding the consensus estimate of RMB 188.9 billion [14]. - Gross profit for 3Q was RMB 108.8 billion, reflecting a gross margin of 56.4%, an improvement from the previous year [14]. - The adjusted operating profit margin for 3Q was 37.6%, indicating strong operational efficiency [14]. Gaming Segment Performance - The gaming revenue for 3Q grew by 15% domestically and 43% internationally, driven by titles such as "Honor of Kings" and "Delta Action" [2][20]. - The report anticipates that Tencent's gaming pipeline will peak in 2026, with significant titles set to launch, including "Rock Kingdom: World" and "Honor of Kings World" [2][28]. Advertising and AI Integration - Advertising revenue increased by 21% in 3Q, with AI-driven enhancements contributing to eCPM improvements [3][33]. - The introduction of the AIM+ system is expected to attract more small and medium advertisers, enhancing overall advertising performance [3][33]. Financial Technology Growth - The fintech segment reported a revenue growth of 10% in 3Q, with a gross margin of 50.2% [4][14]. - The WeChat mini-store's GMV is experiencing rapid growth, supported by a low overlap of public and private domain users, indicating potential for further user acquisition [4][12]. Future Outlook - Revenue forecasts for Tencent have been adjusted upward for 2025-2027, with expected revenues of RMB 755.3 billion, RMB 852.3 billion, and RMB 954 billion respectively [35][36]. - The adjusted net profit estimates for the same period are RMB 2,655 billion, RMB 3,012 billion, and RMB 3,443 billion, reflecting a strong growth trajectory driven by AI and gaming [35][36].