Core Insights - The Lunar New Year holiday in China is driving significant travel and spending, with a notable increase in demand for immersive cultural experiences and entertainment options [2][3][5]. Travel and Tourism - Bookings for theme park hotels have nearly doubled year-over-year, and demand for trips featuring traditional performances and artisanal crafts has risen by approximately 40% [3]. - China is anticipating a record 110 million trips in and out of Beijing and 9.5 billion trips nationwide during the broader travel season, indicating extensive travel among its 1.4 billion population [5]. - The H World Group reports increased demand for both major transport hubs and leisure-focused cities, such as Xishuangbanna, known for its natural beauty and cultural heritage [6]. Entertainment and Leisure - iQiyi has opened its first theme park in Yangzhou, emphasizing the importance of offline entertainment as a growth driver for the company [9][10]. - Bilibili's annual expo sold out quickly, showcasing the popularity of interactive experiences based on animated shows and games [11]. - Universal Studios Beijing plans to incorporate themes from popular local media into visitor activities, aiming to attract more guests during the holiday season [11]. Consumer Spending Trends - Despite a general slowdown in consumer spending, with retail sales growing only 0.9% in December, luxury brands like Louis Vuitton continue to expand their presence and create shareable experiences [13][14]. - Shopping malls are featuring luxury brands that align their offerings with the upcoming Chinese zodiac symbol, indicating a focus on emotional and experiential spending [14].

Summary of Mobile Gaming Industry Conference Call Industry Overview - The global mobile gaming market is projected to see a year-over-year (YoY) decline of 3% in January 2026 according to Sensor Tower data [1] - The United States remains the largest market, accounting for 31% of total revenue, followed by China at 19% and Japan at 13% [1] - In January 2026, the U.S. mobile gaming market experienced a YoY decline of 2%, while China and Japan saw more significant declines of 14% and 8%, respectively [1] China Market Insights - The domestic gaming market in China is expected to achieve a YoY revenue growth of 8% in 2025, with mobile gaming being the largest segment, contributing 73% of total revenue [1] - The client-based gaming segment is also showing strong growth, with a projected YoY increase of 15%, while mobile gaming is expected to grow at 8% YoY [1] - Chinese game exports are anticipated to continue their high growth trajectory, with a YoY revenue increase of 10% [1] Regulatory Environment - In January, the National Press and Publication Administration issued 177 new domestic online game licenses, representing a YoY increase of 44%, indicating a robust supply of new games in the future [2] Market Performance - In January, most gaming stocks saw an increase, with notable gains in Hong Kong stocks such as Bilibili and Xindong, as well as A-share companies like Huatuo, Perfect World, Kaiying, and Sanqi [2] Data Highlights - Bilibili's new game "Dudu Face Prank" launched in Q4 2025 has shown significant revenue growth, with a QoQ increase of 21% in December and 46% in January 2026, contributing to an overall QoQ revenue increase of 5% and 14% [2] - Xindong's game "Xindong Town" launched in January 2026 has seen an extraordinary QoQ revenue increase of 516%, significantly boosting overall revenue by 99% [2] - Huatuo's overall revenue continues to grow YoY, with its game "Delicious Journey" showing a QoQ revenue increase of 30% and 33% in December and January, respectively [2] - Giant's core product "Supernatural Action Team" recorded a QoQ revenue increase of 41% in January 2026, contributing to an overall revenue growth of 28% QoQ and 199% YoY [2] Future Outlook - Attention is recommended on the testing phases of new games from NetEase ("Sea of Forgetting") and Perfect World ("Different Ring"), as well as monitoring revenue performance during the Spring Festival period [3]

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes that 2025 is expected to be a significant year for the domestic gaming industry, with historical highs in market revenue and user scale, driven by successful product launches and advancements in AI technology [2][4]. Market Performance - By the end of 2025, China's gaming market is projected to reach an actual sales revenue of 350.79 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 7.68%, marking the first time it surpasses 350 billion yuan. The user base is expected to grow by 1.35% to 683 million [4]. - The gaming market faced challenges from 2020 to 2023, with a notable decline in revenue to 265.8 billion yuan in 2022. However, the market has shown signs of recovery, with the gaming industry index rising nearly 50% since the beginning of 2025 [4][5]. Individual Company Performance - Since the beginning of 2025, 15 A-share gaming companies have seen stock price increases exceeding 50%, with companies like Century Huatong and Giant Network experiencing over 100% growth [5]. - Companies such as Century Huatong, Gigabit, and Perfect World are forecasting significant profit increases for 2025, while others like Ice River Network and Star Shine Entertainment expect to turn losses into profits [5]. Key Drivers - Successful blockbuster products are identified as the core driver of the gaming industry's recovery. The improvement in mobile game quality and the performance of new products in the market are crucial factors [7][12]. - Giant Network, one of the top-performing A-share gaming companies, has seen its stock price rise over 240% in 2025, largely due to the success of its game "Supernatural Action Group," which has achieved over 1 million daily active users [9][10]. Future Outlook - The gaming sector is expected to continue its upward trend into 2026, with a projected market size of 357 billion yuan, supported by stable game license approvals and ongoing product cycles [14]. - Analysts express cautious optimism about the gaming market's growth, emphasizing the importance of high-quality products and long-term operational capabilities for sustained success [14][15]. Strategic Focus - Companies are advised to deepen their focus on high-quality products and explore niche markets to achieve breakthroughs. Giant Network's strategy of concentrating resources on key projects and enhancing AI integration is highlighted as a representative approach [16].

Summary of the Conference Call on China Internet Sector Industry Overview - **Sector**: China Internet Sector - **Growth Forecast**: Overall ad growth in China is expected to remain stable at **9.5%** in 2026, slightly down from **9.6%** in 2025, outperforming underlying consumption growth projected at **4.8%** and **4.4%** for 2025 and 2026 respectively [2][3] Key Drivers of Growth - **Demand from Non-Cyclical Verticals**: Significant growth is anticipated in sectors such as gaming (both app-based and mini-games), internet services (driven by short dramas and AI tools), and education (primarily hardware) [2] - **Supply-Side Upgrades**: Improvements in ad technology, particularly through AI, are expected to enhance ad efficiency and unlock new budgets, partially offsetting macroeconomic headwinds [2][3] Impact of New Ad Tax Policy - **Policy Details**: Effective from October 1, 2025, marketing expenses exceeding **15%** of revenue (or **30%** for cosmetics, healthcare, and non-alcoholic beverages) will no longer be tax-deductible, increasing the cost of sales and marketing (S&M) for advertisers [3] - **Limited Negative Impact**: The overall impact of the new tax policy is less severe than anticipated, with factors such as variations in enforcement and reclassification of costs helping to mitigate the effects [3] AI's Role in Advertising - **Increased Ad Budgets**: Post-2025, ad agencies reported a **high single-digit to 10%** increase in ad budgets on platforms with advanced AI capabilities [4] - **Key Use Cases**: AI is improving ROI by up to **10%** through better targeting, ad material generation, and bidding strategies. Adoption of AI-powered platforms is also increasing, lowering entry barriers for SMEs [4] Company-Specific Insights - **Tencent**: Expected to maintain ad revenue growth of **+18% YoY** in Q4, supported by ad tech upgrades and improved connectivity within its ecosystem [8] - **Bilibili**: Advertiser perceptions are improving due to better collaboration with major platforms, leading to enhanced ad ROI [8] - **Kuaishou**: Noted for significant ad tech improvements, positioning it as a leader in ad efficiency [8] - **Baidu**: Continues to face revenue decline but is seeing increased contributions from AI-native products [8] Stock Recommendations - **Preferred Stocks**: The report favors Tencent, Bilibili, and Kuaishou due to their strong growth drivers and positions in the ad tech landscape [9] Risks and Challenges - **Competitive Landscape**: The sector faces risks from evolving competition, fast-moving technology trends, and regulatory changes [13] - **Profitability Concerns**: Companies like JD.com are under scrutiny for low visibility on profitability and the impact of restructuring efforts [14] Conclusion - The China Internet sector is poised for stable growth driven by advancements in ad technology and demand from non-cyclical sectors, despite challenges posed by new tax policies and competitive pressures. Key players like Tencent, Bilibili, and Kuaishou are well-positioned to capitalize on these trends, while risks remain in the form of regulatory changes and market competition [2][3][9]

Summary of Key Takeaways from China Internet Tour Industry Overview - **Industry**: China Internet - **Key Focus Areas**: AI, Cloud, Macro Environment, Competition, Regulation Core Insights 1. **Ecommerce Growth**: Soft consumption sentiment has negatively impacted ecommerce growth in the second half of Q4 2025, with expectations of continued muted macro conditions into 2026 [1][14] 2. **Regulatory Impact**: Tightening regulations and the implementation of ecommerce VAT are expected to affect the profitability of smaller merchants, which will, in turn, weigh on ecommerce platform monetization and margins [1][15] 3. **AI Cloud Demand**: Demand for AI cloud services remains robust, although supply constraints may gradually ease due to advancements in domestic chip production and selective approvals of high-end foreign chips [1][14] 4. **Competitive Landscape**: The competition in food delivery, quick commerce, and AI chatbots is intense, with increased promotional spending likely to further pressure profitability and margins [1][14] 5. **International Expansion**: Companies are increasingly focusing on overseas markets for robotaxi services, AI applications, and IDC buildout, moving beyond previous focuses on gaming and cross-border commerce [1] Company-Specific Highlights Alibaba (BABA) 1. **GMV Growth Pressure**: Macro conditions and a high base have pressured GMV growth, alongside a lapse of 0.6% fee/QZT benefit [2] 2. **Strategic Investments**: Management reiterated commitment to strategic investments in food delivery and quick commerce, aiming to increase volume and GMV market share in 2026 [2] 3. **Cloud Revenue Growth**: Strong demand for cloud infrastructure is expected to sustain high growth levels with stable margins [2] 4. **AI Integration**: Progress in user penetration of Qwen-Max-3 and future integration with Taobao and other Alibaba ecosystem components were highlighted [2] JD.com (JD) 1. **Macro Softness**: Similar to Alibaba, JD management noted macro softness and a high base affecting trade-in programs, with expectations of recovery in 2026 [3] 2. **Food Delivery Investment**: Continued investment in food delivery is seen as crucial for user growth and cross-selling synergies [3] 3. **General Merchandise Demand**: Despite macro challenges, demand for general merchandise remains solid, with growth momentum expected to continue into 2026 [3] Baidu 1. **AI and Cloud Demand**: Management emphasized strong demand for AI and cloud services, with AI-related revenues accounting for 40% of total core revenues in Q3 2025 [7] 2. **Spin-off Plans**: Commitment to improving disclosure of AI-related metrics and enhancing shareholder returns through the proposed spin-off of Kunlunxin was reiterated [7] Didi 1. **Volume Growth**: Management expects to maintain over 8% volume growth in China for 2026 despite macro headwinds [8] 2. **International Expansion**: Didi is committed to becoming a sustainable second player in Brazil, with significant investments in food delivery [8] Trip.com (TCOM) 1. **Travel Booking Performance**: Travel booking volume remained decent during New Year 2026, with expectations for hotel ADR stabilization [9] Full Truck Alliance (YMM) 1. **Order Volume Growth**: Anticipated slowdown in order volume growth to 12% in Q4 2025, with recovery expected in 2026 [10] Kanzhun 1. **Recruitment Recovery**: Continued recovery in recruitment sentiment, particularly in sectors like internet and healthcare, with growth momentum expected to sustain into 2026 [12] Bilibili (BILI) 1. **Ad Performance**: Advertising performance is on track, with expectations for decent momentum into 2026 driven by performance ads [13] Additional Insights 1. **Ecommerce VAT Impact**: JD.com is expected to be least affected by ecommerce VAT due to its large proportion of sales from 1P and large brands, while PDD and Kuaishou may face greater challenges [15] 2. **Investment Commitments**: Both Alibaba and JD are committed to high levels of investment spending, which may pressure profitability in 2026 [15] 3. **AI Competition**: The competition in AI infrastructure and models is intensifying, with Baidu's neutral position and Kunlun's compatibility with CUDA seen as advantages [14][15] Conclusion - The China internet sector is facing challenges from macroeconomic conditions and regulatory changes, but there are opportunities in AI and cloud services. Companies are focusing on strategic investments and international expansion to navigate these challenges and drive growth into 2026 [14]

Core Viewpoint - The Hang Seng Tech Index has shown a strong performance, with a year-to-date increase exceeding 6%, driven primarily by advancements in AI technology [1] Group 1: Market Performance - On January 6, the Hang Seng Tech Index surged over 2% during early trading, with leading stocks such as SenseTime and JD Health contributing to the gains [1] - The overall sentiment in the Hong Kong tech market is being significantly influenced by AI developments, as evidenced by the recent IPO of Biren Technology, known as the "first domestic GPU stock," which has reignited investor interest in the tech sector [1] Group 2: Market Dynamics - The debate surrounding the "AI bubble" has persisted through Q4 2025, with the Hang Seng Tech Index experiencing a prolonged period of volatility and adjustment, leading to a return of index valuations to historical lows [1] - However, with the iterative optimization of AI models and products by major internet companies, market confidence has begun to recover [1] Group 3: Investment Opportunities - The Hang Seng Tech Index ETF (513180) focuses on core Chinese AI assets, combining both hardware and software technologies, and includes major holdings such as Alibaba, Tencent, Xiaomi, Meituan, SMIC, and BYD [1] - This ETF ranks first in terms of scale among those tracking the Hang Seng Tech Index, indicating strong liquidity and investor interest [1]

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call on China's Gaming Sector Industry Overview - The Chinese gaming sector is expected to show a notable recovery in 2025, driven by a strong product release schedule across the industry [1][5] - Major players like Tencent and NetEase are leading this recovery with innovative content and successful game launches [5] Core Insights - **Cyclical Recovery**: The recovery is characterized as a cyclical rebound rather than a temporary sentiment rally, with significant content innovations reaching the launch stage in 2025 [5] - **Extraction Shooter Genre**: This new genre has emerged as a significant innovation in first-person shooters, combining tactical shooting with high-risk, high-reward gameplay, which has attracted a substantial user base [5] - **Strategic Focus**: Tencent is integrating the extraction shooter genre into large platform-level games, while NetEase is expanding its offerings with titles like Naraka: Bladepoint [2][5] Market Dynamics - **SLG Sub-sector**: Simulation/strategy games (SLG) in China have long life cycles (5-10 years) and high lifetime value from top gamers, but the entry barriers have increased significantly, with development costs exceeding hundreds of millions of renminbi [2][5] - **Global Expansion**: Chinese developers are transitioning from mobile to PC/console markets, exemplified by the success of Black Myth: Wukong, which has sold nearly 30 million copies with a reported cost of approximately Rmb540 million, generating Rmb5.4 billion in profit [7] Future Outlook - **Casual and Puzzle Markets**: The global casual and puzzle gaming market presents significant opportunities, with companies like Microfun generating monthly revenues exceeding Rmb500 million [7] - **Genre Fusion**: The transformation of traditional single-player genres into long-term service games is seen as a key opportunity for Chinese developers to capture market share in high-barrier segments [7] Additional Considerations - The restoration of NetEase's partnership with Blizzard has revitalized its offerings, particularly with World of Warcraft, contributing to a strong pipeline of new releases [5] - Tencent's performance has improved with titles like Delta Force, marking a shift from a saturated market to one driven by high-quality content supply [5] This summary encapsulates the key points discussed in the conference call regarding the recovery and future prospects of the Chinese gaming sector, highlighting the roles of major companies and emerging trends within the industry.

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - **Industry**: China Online Entertainment Sector - **Performance**: Online entertainment has been a significant outperformer year-to-date (YTD) within the China internet sector, driven by robust consumer spending on leisure and favorable investor positioning amid macro uncertainties [2][8] Core Insights - **Earnings Season Expectations**: A mixed Q325 earnings season is anticipated for online entertainment, with potential positive surprises from companies like Bilibili and Kuaishou. NetEase is favored for its revival in evergreen titles and upcoming launches [2][3] - **Gaming Sector Divergence**: Following a strong YTD performance in online gaming, divergence is expected as new game launches from A-share companies are priced in. Preference remains for ADR/H game companies based on new game catalysts and healthy evergreen title portfolios [3][9] - **Advertising Sector**: Slight acceleration in Q3 ad performance is noted, with uncertainty around new tax policies. Companies like Tencent, Bilibili, and Kuaishou are expected to outperform due to improvements in adtech and monetization [4][9] - **Media Sector**: Overall quiet results are expected for the online media sector, with a positive outlook on long-form video (LFV) regulation, although its impact may take time to materialize [5][20] Company-Specific Insights - **Bilibili**: - Price target raised to US$37.00 from US$30.00, reflecting a 23.3% increase. The company is expected to benefit from the successful launch of "Escape From Duckrov," which had a peak of 222k concurrent players on Steam [3][14][17] - Q325 estimates remain unchanged, but Q425 game revenue is raised by 5% due to better-than-expected contributions from new titles [13][17] - **NetEase**: - Expected solid Q325 results with game acceleration, particularly with the upcoming global launch of "Where Winds Meet" on November 15 [3][9][10] - **Kuaishou**: - Positive outlook based on fundamental outperformance and AI capabilities, with key focuses on ad revenue guidance and e-commerce outlook [9][10] - **iQiyi**: - Q325 topline expected to be flat QoQ, with ad revenue projected to decline by 3% due to macro conditions. Adjusted net profit estimates lowered by 17-25% [19][20] - **Weibo**: - Negative revisions expected due to slower consumption trends, although limited valuation downside is noted with a projected 8% dividend yield [9][10] Additional Insights - **Short Dramas Growth**: The growth momentum of short dramas is expected to continue, driven by consumer demand for fragmented video content and a flexible business model compared to LFV [8] - **Regulatory Environment**: The recent LFV regulation is seen as a major positive for iQiyi, although its benefits may take time to materialize [5][20] Financial Metrics - **Bilibili's Financials**: - Non-GAAP operating profit for Q4 expected to be Rmb862 million, with a margin of 10.4% [13][17] - Total revenues for FY2025 estimated at Rmb30.285 billion, with a YoY growth of 12.9% [17][18] - **iQiyi's Financials**: - Expected non-GAAP operating loss of Rmb25 million for Q325, with a net loss of Rmb135 million [19][20] This summary encapsulates the key points from the conference call, highlighting the performance and expectations for the online entertainment sector and specific companies within it.

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - The conference call primarily discusses the **China online entertainment industry**, focusing on mobile gaming, online video, and online music sectors. Mobile Gaming Insights - **Overall Market Performance**: Q3 2025 saw a **4% YoY decline** in mobile game grossing due to a high base in 2024, but a **2% QoQ increase**. This is softer than typical Q3 vs Q2 seasonality, attributed to fewer new launches in summer compared to previous years [2][10]. - **Key Players**: - **Tencent**: Achieved a **9% QoQ growth** in grossing, driven by strong performance from **Delta Force** (estimated **Rmb1.5 billion** in September). Other stable titles include **Honor of Kings**, **Peacekeeper Elite**, and **DNF Mobile** [2][9]. - **NetEase**: Reported a **5% QoQ growth** in mobile grossing, with notable contributions from **Eggy Party** and **Where Winds Meet**, although this was partially offset by declines in **Sword of Justice** and **Identity V**. It is noted that only about **40%** of NetEase's reported mobile revenue is tracked, indicating potential revenue from non-app store channels [2][6]. - **Bilibili**: Launched **Escape From Duckrov**, achieving a peak of **222,000 concurrent players**, ranking it as the **5 most played game globally on Steam** [2][6]. Online Video Sector - **Kuaishou** launched **Kling 2.5 Turbo**, which is now the **1** in text-to-video and image-to-video generation, maintaining a cost advantage over competitors like Google's Veo 3 [3][4]. - **iQiyi**: Experienced a **10% MoM/YoY decline** in MAUs but is expected to see low-single-digit QoQ growth in membership revenue for Q3, aided by summer traffic improvements [3][4]. - **Tencent Video** and **Youku** have seen some recent successes with new content releases, while **Mango TV** maintained flat MAUs YoY [3][4]. Online Music Trends - The online music industry saw a **2% YoY increase** in MAUs, but time spent remained stable. **TME** (Tencent Music Entertainment) reported a **7% decline** in combined MAUs, with QQ Music and Kugou Music showing significant drops [6][7]. - **NetEase Cloud Music** showed a slight recovery with a **2% YoY increase** in MAUs, while **Soda Music** outperformed with a **91% YoY increase** in MAUs, likely benefiting from ByteDance's traffic [6][7]. Future Content Pipeline - Upcoming major content releases include titles from **Tencent Video**, **iQiyi**, **Youku**, and **Mango TV**, with several anticipated to launch in late October and throughout November and December [7][8]. Investment Outlook - The report remains positive on the online entertainment sector, citing: 1. Healthy consumer spending on leisure activities. 2. Supply-side improvements due to a more favorable regulatory environment and innovations in business models [4][5]. Additional Insights - The report emphasizes the importance of AI in content production and the potential for new business models to drive growth in the online entertainment sector [4][5]. This summary encapsulates the key insights and data points from the conference call, providing a comprehensive overview of the current state and future outlook of the online entertainment industry in China.

Market Overview - US stock market closed higher, with the Dow Jones up 0.09%, the Nasdaq up 0.42%, and the S&P 500 up 0.34% [1] - Nasdaq Golden Dragon China Index rose 1.44% [1] Individual Stock Performance - Intel increased by over 7% [1] - Tesla increased by over 3% [1] - Microsoft, Apple, Google, and Amazon saw gains of less than 1% [1] - Meta decreased by over 2% [1] - Baidu and 21Vianet (世纪互联) increased by over 4% [1] - JD.com increased by over 3% [1] - Alibaba, Bilibili, and XPeng increased by over 1% [1]