Summary of Tencent Music Entertainment Group (TME) Earnings Call Company Overview - **Company**: Tencent Music Entertainment Group (TME) - **Industry**: China Technology - **Current Price**: USD 14.33 (as of 12-May-2025) - **Price Target**: USD 16.00 - **Market Cap**: USD 24,591 million - **Shares Outstanding**: 1,716.08 million - **Dividend Yield**: 1.26% - **Return on Equity (TTM)**: 10.74% Key Points Financial Performance - TME reported a revenue of RMB 7,356 million in 1Q25, slightly above the estimate of RMB 7,280 million, reflecting a year-over-year growth of 8.7% [2][17] - The Average Revenue Per Paying User (ARPPU) increased by 1.1% to RMB 11.4, surpassing the estimate of RMB 11.3 [17] - However, the number of paying users added was lower than expected, with a net addition of 1.9 million against an estimate of 2.1 million [2] User Growth Strategy - TME's management has shifted focus from aggressive user acquisition strategies to organic growth, avoiding competition for low-value users [2] - The estimate for FY25 paying user growth has been revised down from 8 million to 6 million due to soft growth trends [2] SVIP Performance - The SVIP segment has shown strong performance, with ARPPU growth outpacing that of the VIP segment, contributing to a 7.5% year-over-year growth in overall ARPPU [3] - SVIP now accounts for 11% of total paying users, up from a previous estimate of 10% [3] Advertising and Margins - Advertising revenue grew by 25% year-over-year in 1Q25, maintaining momentum from the previous quarter [4] - Gross margin stood at 44.1%, slightly below estimates, but the adjusted operating margin exceeded expectations by 267 basis points [4] International Expansion - TME is increasing investments in Southeast Asia, particularly through its Joox app, although international business remains a small part of overall revenue [8] Future Outlook - The company is expected to maintain a positive trajectory, with management's ability to adapt and execute strategies being a key strength [12] - Upside potential exists if TME can minimize subscriber slowdown while enhancing ARPU, potentially leading to a higher valuation of $22 [13] - Conversely, if ARPU growth fails to materialize alongside continued subscriber deceleration, a downside scenario could see the stock drop to $11 [14] Risks - Key risks include fluctuations in subscriber growth and ARPU, increased competition, and potential regulatory changes that could impact operations [61][62] Analyst Ratings - The stock is rated as "Overweight" with a positive industry outlook, indicating expected outperformance relative to peers [12][53] Conclusion TME's recent earnings call highlights a mixed performance with solid revenue growth but challenges in user acquisition. The strategic shift towards organic growth and the strong performance of the SVIP segment are positive indicators, while the company faces risks from competition and market dynamics. The outlook remains cautiously optimistic with potential for upside if management effectively navigates these challenges.