Summary of Conference Call Notes Company and Industry Involved - **Companies**: Google and Meta - **Industry**: Technology, specifically focusing on AI, cloud computing, and digital advertising Key Points and Arguments Google 1. **Stock Price Recovery**: Google’s stock price rebound is attributed to alleviated concerns about its search business, accelerated AI developments, and reduced antitrust regulatory risks, which have boosted investor confidence [1][2][3] 2. **AI Developments**: Google has made significant advancements in AI, with its TPU reaching the seventh generation and the Gemini 3.0 model considered superior to GPT. The cloud computing business has shown consistent revenue growth and a substantial increase in backlog orders, indicating strong competitive positioning in AI [1][5] 3. **Cloud Computing Growth**: It is projected that Google’s cloud computing revenue will continue to accelerate, with backlog orders providing a revenue guarantee and profit margins expected to improve [1][7][19] 4. **Market Sentiment on Search Business**: The market's pessimism regarding Google’s search business is deemed excessive. Direct comparisons between ChatGPT and Google search data are considered inappropriate, as both are not entirely comparable [1][9] 5. **Advertising Revenue Concerns**: There are concerns that AI search may reduce ad clicks, but higher conversion rates could offset this decline, leading to better user experience and potentially higher ad prices [10][21][22] 6. **Valuation Methodology**: The market is currently valuing Google using a Sum-of-the-Parts (SOTP) approach, with cloud revenue expectations set at $80 billion and a price-to-sales ratio of 15, translating to a price-to-earnings ratio of 50 [3][19] Meta 1. **Cautious Market Outlook**: Meta's future development expectations have turned cautious due to increased capital expenditures impacting profit margins and perceived lag in AI capabilities compared to competitors [1][6][16] 2. **Capital Expenditure Concerns**: Meta's capital expenditures are projected to reach $70-72 billion in 2025 and potentially $100 billion in 2026, raising concerns about profit margin pressures without guaranteed revenue increases [16] 3. **AI Capability Challenges**: Meta faces scrutiny regarding its AI capabilities, especially after the emergence of competitors like DBCK and the underperformance of its Llama 4 model [16][17] 4. **Future Opportunities**: Despite challenges, there is potential for Meta to recover, as its valuation is below historical averages. The company’s AI applications in advertising are expected to continue driving revenue growth [18] 5. **Market Performance**: Meta's market performance in 2024 and 2025 was optimistic due to AI's effectiveness in enhancing advertising, but recent market sentiment has shifted to a more cautious stance [15] Regulatory Environment 1. **Antitrust Rulings**: Recent court rulings have reduced regulatory risks for Google, indicating that extreme measures against the company are unnecessary due to the emergence of new competitors [4][8] Comparisons and Market Dynamics 1. **Comparative Analysis**: Google and Baidu are not directly comparable due to differing operational environments, with Google benefiting from a more open internet ecosystem compared to Baidu's restrictions in China [25] Other Important Insights 1. **Long-term AI Development**: Google’s foundational technology investments and talent pool position it well for future advancements in AI, suggesting that it may catch up or surpass competitors over time [11] 2. **Market Valuation Risks**: Current market valuations for Google may reflect optimism that is not sustainable long-term, particularly regarding its AI capabilities and the stability of its advertising revenue [12][13]

Investment Rating - The report maintains an "Accumulate" rating for the company [1][9] Core Insights - The company demonstrates strong long-term operational capabilities in the gaming sector, with a significant increase in deferred revenue laying a solid foundation for future performance releases [2][6] - The Q3 2025 financial results show revenue of 28.359 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 8.2% and a quarter-on-quarter increase of 1.7%. The net profit attributable to shareholders is 8.616 billion yuan, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 31.8% and a quarter-on-quarter increase of 0.2% [5][6] Financial Performance Summary - **Revenue and Profitability**: In Q3 2025, the company achieved revenue of 28.359 billion yuan (YoY +8.2%, QoQ +1.7%) and a net profit of 8.616 billion yuan (YoY +31.8%, QoQ +0.2%). The non-GAAP net profit was 9.502 billion yuan (YoY +26.7%, QoQ -0.3%) [5][6] - **Gross Margin**: The gross margin improved to 64.1% (YoY +2.0 percentage points, QoQ -1.0 percentage points) [6] - **Expense Ratios**: The sales expense ratio was 15.7% (YoY +8.3 percentage points, QoQ +22.5 percentage points), R&D expense ratio was 16.0% (YoY -5.1 percentage points, QoQ +2.5 percentage points), and management expense ratio was 4.1% (YoY -2.2 percentage points, QoQ +8.4 percentage points) [6] Business Segment Performance - **Gaming Business**: The gaming and value-added services generated revenue of 22.3 billion yuan (YoY +11.8%, QoQ +2.3%). The gaming sector shows strong resilience and growth momentum, with classic IPs performing well [6] - **Youdao**: In Q3 2025, Youdao achieved revenue of 1.6 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 3.6% and a quarter-on-quarter increase of 14.9% [6] - **NetEase Cloud Music**: Revenue for Q3 2025 was 2 billion yuan (YoY -1.8%, QoQ flat). The introduction of AI features has enhanced user experience significantly [6] - **Innovative and Other Businesses**: Revenue decreased to 1.4 billion yuan (YoY -18.9%, QoQ -15.3%). The company is focusing on brand rejuvenation and leveraging AI technology [6] Earnings Forecast and Valuation - The company is projected to achieve revenues of 114.8 billion yuan, 126.5 billion yuan, and 136.2 billion yuan for 2025, 2026, and 2027 respectively. Adjusted net profits are expected to be 39.1 billion yuan, 44.1 billion yuan, and 49.1 billion yuan for the same years [8][9] - The target price for 2026 is set at 265 HKD, maintaining the "Accumulate" rating [6][9]