Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - The online music service industry has experienced significant growth over the past 20 years, characterized by streaming and globalization. According to IFPI, the global recorded music industry revenue is projected to reach approximately $30 billion in 2024, with a year-on-year growth of 5%. Streaming revenue accounts for nearly 70% of this total, with paid subscription revenue expected to reach $15.1 billion, growing by 9.5% year-on-year. Advertising revenue is anticipated to grow by 1.2% [2][3]. Key Characteristics of the Online Music Service Industry - The industry has high entry barriers due to high content copyright costs and strong two-sided network effects. High copyright costs make it difficult for new entrants to compete effectively in the short term. The market is dominated by major record labels, which control a significant portion of the content [3][4]. - The upstream of the industry is primarily controlled by record companies, which manage a large number of tracks. The downstream monetization relies on the user base of platforms, generating revenue through subscriptions and advertising. The three major music groups in the U.S. control 85% of the track count and 74% of the global digital music upstream [5][6]. Competitive Landscape - In the overseas market, platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music dominate, with market shares of 36%, 31%, and 24% respectively. However, their profitability is affected by the monopoly of upstream record companies. In contrast, in the Chinese market, Tencent Music and NetEase Cloud Music hold the majority market share, approximately 70-80% combined, while the emerging platform, Soda Music, poses limited threat due to its recent establishment and lack of quality content [6][7][8]. Trends in the Domestic Online Music Market - The main trends in the domestic online music market focus on increasing the number of paid users and raising the average revenue per user (ARPU). Tencent Music's monthly active users are nearing their peak, with future growth relying on paid user numbers and pricing. NetEase Cloud Music and Soda Music are currently in the phase of expanding their user base [9][10]. - The domestic market has seen significant regulatory changes, such as the strict copyright regulations in 2015 and the administrative penalties against Tencent in 2021, which have allowed competitors like NetEase Cloud Music to accumulate more tracks [10]. Profit Growth Strategies - Online music platforms are achieving profit growth by optimizing content costs, expanding user bases, and increasing subscription revenues. The market is valuing internet companies highly due to their stable business models and favorable competitive landscapes. Tencent Music and NetEase Cloud Music have room for long-term profit margin improvements [11][12]. Valuation and Market Sentiment - The online music sector has seen significant stock price increases this year, driven by favorable policies, market regulatory guidance, and content cost optimization. Despite low double-digit revenue growth, investor confidence remains high due to these factors [13][14]. - In 2025, internet companies are receiving high valuations due to their stable business models and competitive environments. Tencent Music and NetEase Cloud Music are particularly well-positioned, with Tencent Music's non-GAAP P/E ratio around 26-27 times and NetEase Cloud Music's around 31-32 times [15][16]. Future Development Potential - Both Tencent Music and NetEase Cloud Music have significant growth potential, with opportunities to double their paid user bases. They are also actively expanding into long audio, artist management, and fan operations [16][17]. - Tencent Music has made strategic investments, including a $1.26 billion cash acquisition of Himalaya and a stake in South Korea's SM Entertainment, indicating its intent to strengthen its position in the long audio content and fan economy sectors [20]. Notable Developments in NetEase Cloud Music - NetEase Cloud Music is enhancing its social attributes and UGC ecosystem, showing considerable potential for profit improvement. The platform has a high proportion of users born after the 90s, and its recent features, such as "Music Notes," are expected to enhance its financial performance [21].

Investment Rating - The report maintains an "Outperform" rating for the online music industry [1] Core Insights - The online music industry exhibits strong bilateral effects and is less correlated with the economy, with "one super and one strong" company identified as high-quality long-term cash flow assets [2] - The industry is characterized by high concentration due to significant copyright fees, making it difficult for new entrants [2] - The growth of music subscriptions is driven by supply-side factors, with low churn rates observed in subscription services [2][32] - The Chinese digital music market is expected to grow by 15% year-on-year in 2024, outpacing global growth [7][12] Summary by Sections 01 Overview of Domestic and International Online Music Industry - The online music industry has a high concentration, with Tencent Music holding approximately 66% market share and NetEase Cloud Music around 27% [25] - The industry is experiencing a shift towards subscription models, with significant growth in paid users [32] 02 Tencent Music and Spotify Stock Review - Tencent Music's subscription business is a key growth driver, with a projected CAGR of 19% for subscription revenue from 2024 to 2027 [5] - Spotify is expected to achieve profitability in 2024, with a focus on cost reduction and efficiency improvements [4] 03 Financial Analysis - The subscription penetration rates for Tencent Music and NetEase Cloud Music are projected to reach 25% and 20.6% respectively by 2024 [5] - The average revenue per paying user (ARPPU) for Tencent Music is expected to increase, driven by the development of premium services [5] 04 Valuation Analysis and Investment Recommendations - The online music industry is projected to maintain a CAGR of 15% over the next three years, indicating growth potential [5] - Current price-to-earnings (PE) ratios for Tencent Music, NetEase Cloud Music, and Spotify are 23x, 27x, and 38x respectively for 2025 [5]

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - The conference call focuses on the online music industry, specifically analyzing the competitive landscape and performance of leading companies Tencent Music and NetEase Cloud Music [2][3][4]. Core Insights and Arguments 1. **Market Growth**: The online music market in China is projected to reach 20 billion RMB in 2024, with Tencent Music capturing over 15 billion RMB (26% growth YoY) and NetEase Cloud Music nearing 5 billion RMB (over 20% growth YoY) [3][6]. 2. **Competitive Landscape**: The market is characterized by a "one strong, one leading" structure, with Tencent Music holding 60-70% market share and NetEase Cloud Music 20-30%, indicating a stable competitive environment [3][6]. 3. **User Metrics**: As of the end of 2024, Tencent Music has a total MAU of 570 million and 120 million paying users (21% conversion rate), while NetEase Cloud Music has over 200 million MAU and 50-60 million paying users (over 25% conversion rate) [3][10]. 4. **Content Differentiation**: Tencent Music excels in K-pop licensing, while NetEase Cloud Music appeals to younger audiences with niche genres, highlighting the importance of content differentiation in competition [3][9]. 5. **Future Growth Potential**: The paid user rate in China's online music market is expected to reach 30-35%, translating to 250-300 million subscribers, indicating significant growth potential [3][12]. 6. **Profitability Forecast**: Tencent Music's adjusted profit is expected to reach 9 billion RMB in 2025 (17% growth), while NetEase Cloud Music's profit is projected at around 2 billion RMB, with both companies having room for valuation increases [3][23]. 7. **ARPU Trends**: Tencent Music's ARPU is 10.8 RMB, expected to rise to 11.8 RMB in 2025, driven by premium memberships. In contrast, NetEase Cloud Music's ARPU is below 7 RMB, necessitating strategic improvements to enhance revenue per user [13][20]. Additional Important Insights 1. **Cost Optimization**: Both companies have improved their gross margins through copyright cost optimization and increased self-produced content, with Tencent Music's gross margin at 42% and NetEase Cloud Music at 34% [16][20]. 2. **Non-Subscription Revenue**: Non-subscription revenue is performing well, with NetEase Cloud Music's non-subscription business growing by 28% and Tencent Music by 25%, indicating a shift towards ad-supported models [22]. 3. **Valuation Outlook**: Tencent Music is expected to have a valuation of around 19 times earnings, while NetEase Cloud Music is projected at less than 15 times, reflecting their respective market positions and growth prospects [24][25]. 4. **Future Challenges**: Both companies face challenges in maintaining user engagement and monetization strategies, particularly in light of regulatory changes affecting social entertainment segments [21][26]. This summary encapsulates the key points discussed in the conference call, providing a comprehensive overview of the online music industry's current state and future outlook.