Haitong Securities International·2025-11-30 13:46Investment Rating - The report initiates coverage on Weibo-SW (9898 HK) with an "Outperform" rating, targeting a price of HK$107.00 [2][12][26] Core Insights - Weibo maintains a unique position in the Chinese social media landscape, characterized by a large user base, rich social connections, and effective marketing solutions. The application of generative AI is expected to enhance monetization efficiency [3][20] - The company's Q3 2025 results showed mixed performance, with total revenue of US$442.3 million, a 5% year-over-year decline, and online advertising revenue down 6% in USD terms [21][9] - Management expresses confidence in achieving full-year profit targets and commits to annual shareholder returns, with a history of distributing approximately US$200 million in dividends each year [5][24][25] Financial Performance - For FY2025, total revenue is projected at US$1.725 billion, a 2% decrease from the previous year, with adjusted net profit expected to be US$461 million [10][17] - The gross profit margin is forecasted to be 76.5% in FY2025, with an adjusted operating profit margin of around 30% [17][24] - The report anticipates a gradual recovery in advertising revenue, particularly in Q4, supported by events like the Double 11 shopping festival [22][4] Business Outlook - Weibo's community engagement remains strong, with significant growth in user interaction metrics, indicating a solid foundation for future monetization [23][9] - The report highlights the resilience of certain sectors, such as e-commerce and automotive, while noting challenges in gaming and consumer electronics due to budget constraints [4][22] - The company is exploring new monetization channels, including membership services and content payment scenarios [9][10] Valuation Analysis - The report assigns a valuation multiple below the industry average, reflecting Weibo's stable user base and moderate growth phase. The target price is set at 8x FY26 PE [12][26] - Comparatively, Weibo's valuation metrics are positioned lower than those of other internet companies, indicating potential for upside as market conditions improve [12][13]