TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--NEXON Co., Ltd (Nexon) (3659.TO), a global leader in online games, today announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Patrick Söderlund as Executive Chairman of the company. The appointment is effective immediately. Throughout his career, Söderlund has demonstrated the type of hands-on strategic and creative leadership that is needed to transform Nexon. In this newly created role, he takes on broad authority over the company's long-term strategy, creative directio. ...

Investment Rating - The report maintains a BUY rating for NetEase, indicating a potential return of over 15% over the next 12 months [19]. Core Insights - NetEase reported a total revenue increase of 3% year-over-year to RMB 27.5 billion in 4Q25, which was 4% below Bloomberg consensus estimates due to slower-than-expected games revenue growth and a prolonged revenue recognition period [1]. - Operating income grew by 6% year-over-year to RMB 8.3 billion, also falling short of consensus estimates by 6% [1]. - Contract liabilities increased by 34% year-over-year in 4Q25, suggesting a positive outlook for revenue growth in FY26, supported by several highly anticipated game launches [1][8]. - The target price for NetEase has been slightly adjusted to US$161.5 from the previous US$164.0, reflecting a 30.7% upside from the current price of US$123.52 [3][12]. Financial Performance - For FY26E, total revenue is projected to reach RMB 120.8 billion, with adjusted net profit expected at RMB 41.4 billion, reflecting a growth of 10.5% year-over-year [2][9]. - Gross margin is expected to improve to 64.8% in FY26E, while operating margin is projected to be 33.0% [9][10]. - The company has maintained a decent shareholder return of RMB 14.5 billion in 2025, which is approximately 3% of its market capitalization [8]. Business Segments - The online games segment is valued at US$142.1 billion, accounting for 88% of the total valuation, based on a 17x EV/EBIT multiple for FY26E [12]. - Youdao and NetEase Cloud Music are valued at US$0.7 billion and US$3.4 billion, respectively, based on industry-average multiples [12]. - The innovative businesses segment is valued at US$1.5 billion, with net cash contributing an additional US$13.8 billion to the overall valuation [12]. Market Position - NetEase's market capitalization stands at approximately US$78.7 billion, with an average trading volume of US$92.3 million over the past three months [4]. - The stock has experienced a decline of 11.3% over the past month and 13.2% over the past three months, indicating some volatility in its performance [5]. Future Outlook - Several highly anticipated game launches are scheduled for FY26, including "Sea of Remnants" and "YaoYaoQi," which are expected to drive revenue growth [1][8]. - The integration of AI into various phases of game development is expected to enhance quality and efficiency, positioning the company favorably in the competitive landscape [8].

Core Insights - In 2025, NetEase achieved total revenue of 112.626 billion RMB, representing a year-on-year growth of 7.0% [1][2] - The Non-GAAP net profit attributable to shareholders was 37.3 billion RMB, reflecting an increase of 11.3% year-on-year [1][2] Business Performance - The net revenue from games and related value-added services reached 92.1 billion RMB for the year, with fourth-quarter revenue at 22 billion RMB, showing a growth of 3.4% [3] - Established titles like "Fantasy Westward Journey" and "Identity V" continued to generate stable revenue, while new games "Yanyun Sixteen Sounds" and "Marvel Duel" contributed additional income [3] Financial Status - The gross margin for 2025 improved to 64.29%, indicating optimization compared to the previous year [4] - The net cash flow from operating activities accounted for 45.05% of total revenue, demonstrating healthy cash flow [4] - The board approved a quarterly dividend and extended a stock repurchase plan of 5 billion USD until 2029, with approximately 2 billion USD of shares repurchased by the end of 2025 [4] Business and Technology Development - Management emphasized that AI has become a foundational capability in game development, operations, and innovation [5] - Research and development investment reached 17.7 billion RMB, maintaining an intensity of over 15% [5] - The application of AI technology in areas such as UGC content generation for games and intelligent interaction in educational products is deepening [5] Company Business Status - Youdao showed strong performance with fourth-quarter revenue of 1.6 billion RMB, a year-on-year increase of 16.8%, exceeding market expectations [6] - Cloud Music generated revenue of 2 billion RMB, reflecting a stable growth of 4.7% [6] - Revenue from innovative and other businesses was 2 billion RMB, down 10.4% year-on-year, primarily due to business adjustments [6] Strategic Advancement - New products like "Yanyun Sixteen Sounds" and "Marvel Duel" received positive responses in overseas markets, with plans to further increase the share of overseas revenue [7] - The return of Blizzard games to the domestic market has revitalized the user ecosystem [7]

Core Insights - The article highlights NetEase's strong performance in 2025, with a focus on double-digit revenue growth and a long-term strategy centered on proprietary technology and AI integration [3][6]. Financial Performance - NetEase reported a net revenue of CNY 112.6 billion for 2025, reflecting a 10% year-over-year increase [6]. - The company achieved a gross profit margin of 64.3% for 2025, with the fourth-quarter gross margin rising to 64.2% from 60.8% a year earlier [7]. - In the fourth quarter, net revenue from games and related value-added services was CNY 22.0 billion, up 3% year-over-year [2]. Game Portfolio and Performance - The game segment generated CNY 92.1 billion in net revenue for 2025, a 10% increase from 2024 [2]. - Key titles driving growth included "Where Winds Meet" with over 80 million players and "Marvel Rivals," which maintained engagement through seasonal updates [4][15]. - "Fantasy Westward Journey Online" achieved record annual revenue in 2025, supported by innovative content and server models [17]. AI Integration - Management emphasized the integration of AI across various aspects of game development, positioning it as a "force multiplier" rather than a replacement for human creativity [5][12]. - Tools like CodeMaker and DreamMaker are being utilized to enhance programming and art production, respectively [18]. Shareholder Returns - The company returned capital to shareholders through a dividend of $0.232 per share and repurchased approximately 22.1 million ADS for about $2.0 billion under a $5 billion program [10][6]. - NetEase ended 2025 with a net cash position of CNY 163.5 billion, up from CNY 131.5 billion at the end of 2024 [10]. Other Segments - Youdao achieved its first-ever net cash inflow from operating activities in 2025, with net revenues of CNY 5.9 billion, up about 5% [20]. - NetEase Cloud Music reported a net revenue of CNY 7.8 billion for the year, with fourth-quarter revenue increasing 5% year-over-year to CNY 2.0 billion [21].

NetEase 4Q25 Investor Presentation Investor Relations February 11, 2026 SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT This announcement contains statements of a forward-looking nature. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify these forward-looking statements by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates" and similar expressions. In addition, statements that are not histo ...

Core Viewpoint - NetEase reported a solid performance for Q4 2025, showcasing its strong operational capabilities in the gaming sector and the increasing influence in the global market, with AI becoming a core competency in research and operations [1] Financial Performance - Q4 net revenue reached RMB 27.547 billion, a year-on-year increase of 3.0% [1] - Gross profit was approximately RMB 17.7 billion, reflecting an 8.7% year-on-year growth [1] - Net profit attributable to shareholders was RMB 6.242 billion [1] - The Q4 dividend was set at USD 0.232 per share [1] Segment Performance - Net revenue from games and related value-added services was RMB 22 billion, up 3.4% year-on-year [1] - Youdao's net revenue was RMB 1.6 billion, showing a significant increase of 16.8% [1] - Net revenue from NetEase Cloud Music reached RMB 2 billion, marking a 4.7% year-on-year growth [1] Annual Overview - For the year 2025, total net revenue was approximately RMB 112.626 billion, a year-on-year increase of 6.96% [1] - Gross profit for the year was around RMB 72.402 billion, reflecting a 10.02% year-on-year growth [1] - Net profit attributable to shareholders for the year was approximately RMB 33.76 billion, up 13.68% year-on-year [1] - Basic earnings per share were RMB 10.59 [1] Future Outlook - The company aims to continue focusing on high-quality product development and enhancing AI application capabilities [1] - Plans to build an innovative talent ecosystem and deepen collaborations with global partners to enhance the longevity of games and provide novel product experiences [1]

Core Insights - NetEase reported steady performance for 2025, with Q4 revenue of 27.5 billion yuan and total annual revenue of 112.6 billion yuan [1][2] - Annual operating profit reached 35.8 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 21%, while Q4 operating profit was 8.3 billion yuan, growing by 6% year-on-year [1][2] - The company invested 17.7 billion yuan in R&D for the year, marking the sixth consecutive year of R&D spending exceeding 10 billion yuan [1][2] Revenue Breakdown - Revenue from games and related value-added services amounted to 92.1 billion yuan, with online game revenue reaching 89.6 billion yuan, reflecting an 11% year-on-year growth and returning to double-digit growth [1][2] Game Performance Highlights - The classic IP "Fantasy Westward Journey" achieved record annual revenue after 23 years of operation [1][2] - The online game "Tianxia" reached its highest peak online player count in nearly a decade, with user payment rates hitting an all-time high [1][2] - The first anniversary version of "Yanyun Sixteen Sounds" set new records for daily active users and revenue, exceeding expectations with over 80 million global users [1][2] - "Egg Party" saw a new high in average online duration per user, maintaining its position as the top party game in China [1][2]

Core Viewpoint - NetEase reported its unaudited financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2025, showing a slight increase in net revenues but a decline in net income compared to the previous year, highlighting the impact of various business segments and the integration of AI in operations [1]. Financial Highlights - Fourth quarter net revenues reached RMB27.5 billion (US$3.9 billion), a 3.0% increase from the same quarter in 2024 [1]. - Net revenues from games and related value-added services were RMB22.0 billion (US$3.1 billion), up 3.4% year-over-year [1]. - Youdao's net revenues increased by 16.8% year-over-year to RMB1.6 billion (US$223.7 million) [1]. - Net income attributable to shareholders for the fourth quarter was RMB6.2 billion (US$892.6 million), down from RMB8.8 billion in the same quarter of 2024 [1]. Operational Highlights - Blizzard titles maintained strong engagement in China, achieving record-high annual revenue [1]. - The game portfolio was strengthened with successful launches like Sword of Justice and Where Winds Meet, which surpassed 80 million cumulative players [1]. - AI integration across game development processes has improved production efficiency and enabled new gameplay experiences [1]. Fiscal Year 2025 Results - Total net revenues for fiscal year 2025 were RMB112.6 billion (US$16.1 billion), an increase from RMB105.3 billion in 2024 [1]. - Net revenues from games and related services for the fiscal year were RMB92.1 billion (US$13.2 billion), compared to RMB83.6 billion in 2024 [1]. - Net income attributable to shareholders for the fiscal year totaled RMB33.8 billion (US$4.8 billion), up from RMB29.7 billion in 2024 [1]. Cost and Profit Analysis - Cost of revenues for the fourth quarter was RMB9.9 billion (US$1.4 billion), a decrease from RMB10.5 billion in the same quarter of 2024 [1]. - Gross profit for the fourth quarter was RMB17.7 billion (US$2.5 billion), compared to RMB16.3 billion in the same quarter of 2024 [1]. - Total operating expenses for the fourth quarter were RMB9.4 billion (US$1.3 billion), up from RMB8.5 billion in the same quarter of 2024 [1]. Cash and Dividend Information - As of December 31, 2025, the company's net cash totaled RMB163.5 billion (US$23.4 billion), an increase from RMB131.5 billion in 2024 [1]. - A quarterly dividend of US$0.232 per share (US$1.16 per ADS) was approved for the fourth quarter of 2025 [2]. Share Repurchase Program - The company extended its share repurchase program of up to US$5.0 billion for an additional 36 months until January 9, 2029, with approximately 22.1 million ADSs repurchased for a total cost of US$2.0 billion as of December 31, 2025 [2].

Core Viewpoint - Sohu.com reported a significant reversal of previously accrued withholding income tax, which impacted its financial results, leading to a GAAP net income of $223 million for Q4 2025, compared to a net loss in the previous year [1][7]. Financial Performance - For Q4 2025, Sohu's total revenue was $142 million, reflecting a 6% year-over-year increase but a 21% decrease sequentially [3][7]. - The full year 2025 total revenue was $584 million, down 2% from 2024, with marketing services revenue at $60 million (down 18%) and online game revenue at $506 million (up 1%) [2][8]. - The company reported a GAAP net income of $394 million for the full year 2025, a significant recovery from a net loss of $100 million in 2024 [8]. Segment Performance - Changyou's Q4 revenue was $121 million, up from $111 million year-over-year, with an operating profit of $45 million [6][10]. - The social media platform generated $21 million in Q4 revenue, down from $24 million year-over-year, with an operating loss of $72 million [9]. - For the full year, Changyou's revenue was $509 million, slightly up from $506 million in 2024, while the social media platform's revenue decreased to $75 million from $91 million [9][10]. Guidance and Outlook - For Q1 2026, management guided marketing services revenue to be between $10 million and $11 million, indicating a year-over-year decline of 20% to 27% [5][17]. - Online game revenue is expected to be between $113 million and $123 million, suggesting a slight year-over-year change [17]. - The company anticipates a GAAP and non-GAAP net loss of $10 million to $20 million for Q1 2026 [18]. Advertising and Market Trends - The softer first-quarter guidance is attributed to seasonality related to the Chinese New Year, with a noted shift from traditional advertising to innovative marketing solutions [19]. - The auto sector showed improvement in Q4, contributing a higher percentage of total revenue, while IT and FMCG sectors were weaker [19]. Share Repurchase Program - As of February 5, 2026, Sohu had repurchased 8.1 million ADS for approximately $106 million, with about one-third of the repurchase program remaining [20].

Financial Performance Overview - In Q4 2025, total revenue was $142 million, representing a 6% year-over-year increase but a 21% decrease quarter-over-quarter [5] - Marketing services revenues were $17 million, down 10% year-over-year but up 25% quarter-over-quarter [5] - Online game revenues reached $120 million, up 10% year-over-year but down 26% quarter-over-quarter [5] - For the full year 2025, total revenues were $584 million, down 2% compared to 2024 [8] - GAAP net income attributable to Sohu.com Limited was $394 million, compared to a net loss of $100 million in 2024 [8] - Non-GAAP net income attributable to Sohu.com Limited was $234 million, compared to a net loss of $83 million in 2024 [8] Business Segment Performance - Sohu Media platform revenues for Q4 were $21 million, down from $24 million year-over-year, with an operating loss of $72 million [16] - Changyou's quarterly revenue was $121 million, up from $111 million year-over-year, with an operating profit of $45 million [17] - For the full year 2025, Changyou's revenue was $509 million, slightly up from $506 million in 2024, with an operating profit of $238 million [17] Market Trends and Guidance - For Q1 2026, marketing service revenues are expected to be between $10 million and $11 million, indicating a 20%-27% annual decrease [18] - Online game revenues are projected to be between $113 million and $123 million, suggesting a potential annual decrease of 4% to an increase of 5% [18] Company Strategy and Industry Position - The company is focusing on enhancing user experience through improved products and algorithms, as well as hosting innovative events to boost user engagement [4] - Sohu is committed to long-term operational excellence in online games, with plans for high-quality content updates and expansion packs [12][13] - The company is exploring new monetization opportunities by integrating advertisers' needs with event marketing [12] Management Commentary on Future Outlook - Management noted that the softness in Q1 advertising guidance is primarily due to the delayed Chinese New Year, affecting advertisers' activities [22][35] - The overall macroeconomic situation remains similar to Q4, with uncertainties persisting [22] - Management expressed optimism about the auto sector's performance, indicating some improvement compared to IT and FMCG sectors [27] Other Important Information - As of February 5, 2026, Sohu had repurchased 8.1 million ADS for approximately $106 million, with one-third of the program remaining [15] Q&A Session Summary Question: Advertising guidance for Q1 seems soft; is it due to macro uncertainties? - Management attributed the softness to seasonality and the delayed Chinese New Year, affecting advertisers' activities in January and February [22][35] Question: What is the trend for advertising categories like auto and IT? - Management noted improvement in the auto sector, which has a higher percentage of overall revenue compared to IT and FMCG sectors [27] Question: Was there any one-off revenue recognized in Q4 that led to outperformance? - Management clarified that Q4 performance was due to overall better execution rather than one-off events, with Q1 softness linked to the delayed Chinese New Year [35][36] Question: Can management share the game pipeline and major expansion packs for 2026? - Management mentioned a card-based RPG based on Xiaomi IP expected to launch by late 2026 or early 2027, with several new games in development [43][44] Question: Why is the net loss guidance narrower than previous quarters? - Management indicated that the narrower loss is due to improved operational performance and expects this trend to continue throughout 2026 [34][45]