Core Viewpoint - Huatai Securities reports that Tencent Holdings' revenue for the second quarter increased by 14.5% year-on-year, driven by growth in various business segments [1] Revenue Growth - Tencent's revenue growth is attributed to the following segments: - Value-added services grew by 16% - Advertising revenue increased by 20% - Financial technology revenue rose by 10% - Corresponding gross profit margins improved by 3.4, 1.9, and 4.5 percentage points respectively [1] Long-term Outlook - Tencent is positioned as a leading developer in the shooting game sector, with expectations for dual growth from players and commercialization due to rapid domestic penetration - Notable game releases include "Delta Action" in July and the upcoming mobile version of "Valorant" on August 19 - Future game reserves include several important shooting and open-world games [1] Revenue Forecast Adjustments - Huatai Securities has raised Tencent's revenue forecasts for 2025, 2026, and 2027 by 2.7%, 4.7%, and 4.8% respectively - The primary driver for this adjustment is the continued expansion of WeChat stores, which is expected to boost advertising and financial technology growth - The company is also anticipated to benefit from ongoing developments in AI products [1] Target Price and Valuation - Based on a sum-of-the-parts (SOTP) valuation, Huatai Securities has increased Tencent's target price from 614.34 HKD to 742.19 HKD - This new target price corresponds to a 2025 price-to-earnings (PE) ratio of 24.3 times, up from the previous 19.9 times - The rating remains "Buy" [1]

Core Insights - The article highlights the significant growth and competition in the shooting game genre, particularly in the mobile gaming sector, with major players like Tencent and NetEase actively expanding their portfolios [1][2][7]. Group 1: User Engagement and Market Dynamics - On June 5, the active user count for "Peace Elite" surpassed 37 million, indicating strong engagement in the shooting game segment [1]. - The National Press and Publication Administration approved 147 domestic and 11 imported games, including several shooting titles, reflecting a robust market for this genre [1]. - The shooting genre accounted for 13.89% of the top 100 mobile games by revenue last year, ranking third, showcasing its significant market share [2]. Group 2: Revenue and Profitability Insights - Despite a focus on user metrics like DAU (Daily Active Users) and MAU (Monthly Active Users), the revenue potential of shooting games, especially on PC, is substantial, as indicated by Tencent's comments on "Delta Force" [2][7]. - In 2024, the tactical multiplayer genre is projected to lead mobile game revenues at 17.99%, followed closely by role-playing games at 17.85% and shooting games at 13.89% [2]. Group 3: Competitive Landscape - The shooting game market is characterized by intense competition among Chinese developers, who are not only competing internally but also vying for market share against established Western companies [9]. - Emerging markets like Russia, Turkey, and Brazil are showing explosive growth in active users for shooting games, indicating a shift in global gaming dynamics [9]. Group 4: Innovation and Long-term Viability - The shooting genre continues to evolve with innovative gameplay, such as the integration of tactical elements and various modes, which keeps the genre fresh and engaging for players [10][12]. - The ability of shooting games to incorporate diverse gameplay elements without alienating core players suggests a strong potential for long-term engagement and revenue generation [13].