Core Viewpoint - The company has successfully reversed its previous losses and achieved significant revenue and profit growth, establishing itself as a key player in the gaming industry, particularly in the retro gaming segment [1][3][5]. Financial Performance - The company's revenue has resumed growth since 2020, reaching 5 billion yuan last year, with net profit exceeding 1 billion yuan for three consecutive years [1]. - Last year's revenue grew by 19% year-on-year, totaling 5.1 billion yuan, with self-operated and joint-operated revenues accounting for 63% of total revenue [5]. Business Developments - The company has undergone significant changes, including the resolution of past legal issues and a restructuring of its business model, allowing for increased product releases and investment activities [4][8]. - The company has expanded its product offerings beyond traditional titles like "Legend" and "Miracle," venturing into various game genres [4]. Product Portfolio - The core revenue still relies on retro-themed games, which include titles like "Original Legend," "Blood of the Battle," and "Angel War," contributing significantly to the revenue base [5]. - The company has introduced a new information service that has grown rapidly, accounting for 18% of total revenue, primarily from the 996 game box and Cangyue Island platform [7]. Strategic Partnerships - The company has established a strong partnership with Zhejiang Shenghe, a game developer, which has been a significant contributor to its success, particularly with the "Legend" series [8]. - The company has strengthened its ties with Century Huatong and Zhongxu Future through cross-shareholding and strategic cooperation agreements, enhancing its position in the "Legend" IP ecosystem [10][12]. Legal and Regulatory Developments - The company has been involved in long-standing copyright disputes over the "Legend" IP, which have recently seen resolution, allowing for a more stable business environment [9]. - A recent arbitration ruling ordered a compensation of 224.5 million yuan from a Korean company, further solidifying the company's legal standing [12]. Market Expansion - The company has made strides in international markets, with overseas revenue reaching 375 million yuan, a year-on-year increase of over 220% [22]. - The company has diversified its product line, including various genres and IP adaptations, to enhance its market presence and appeal [13][19].

Market Overview - The market is experiencing volatility, with many investors selling U.S. Treasury bonds, leading to a 30-year Treasury yield of 5.089%, the highest level since October 2023, and a 10-year yield of 4.595%, the highest since February 2023 [1] - The Hang Seng Index closed down 1.19% amid these developments [1] Geopolitical Events - A shooting incident involving Israeli embassy staff in Washington has heightened concerns among the Jewish community, potentially leading to increased investment in safe-haven assets like Bitcoin and gold [2] - Domestic gold jewelry prices have surged, with prices for gold jewelry from Chow Tai Fook and Lao Miao rising to 1008 CNY and 1004 CNY per gram, respectively, reflecting a significant increase due to international gold price movements [2] ASEAN and Logistics Sector - The ASEAN concept is gaining traction, with Chinese Premier Li Qiang set to visit Indonesia and attend the ASEAN-China-GCC summit, highlighting Indonesia's market potential [3] - J&T Express has captured a 30% market share in Indonesia, with plans for network expansion, indicating a competitive edge in logistics due to lower cost structures compared to self-operated logistics by e-commerce platforms [3] Retail Sector Dynamics - U.S. high tariff policies are creating challenges for retailers like Sam's Club, which has seen a 40% increase in domestic beef procurement to mitigate tariff impacts, yet still faces significant cost pressures due to over 35% of imported goods [4] - Local retailers like Hema are positioned to benefit, with their M membership store brand accounting for 30% of sales and offering lower prices compared to Sam's Club, potentially capturing price-sensitive customers [4] Gaming and Entertainment Sector - Pop Mart's Labubu toy gained global attention after being featured by David Beckham, leading to a surge in sales and stock price [5] - The company reported a significant increase in sales in Europe and North America, with TikTok followers rising by 68% [5] Steel Industry Insights - The integration of steel and financial markets is deepening, with the China Steel Industry Association noting the growing influence of futures markets on the steel industry [8] - Major steel companies like Ansteel and Maanshan Steel are expected to benefit from this trend as futures trading becomes more prominent [8] Corporate Developments - Dongfeng Motor and Changan Automobile are progressing with a restructuring plan, which is anticipated to enhance operational synergies [6] - Pharmaceutical stocks are performing well ahead of the upcoming listing of Hengrui Medicine's H shares, which are priced at 44.05 HKD, indicating strong market interest [6] Dividend Stocks - Following interest rate cuts, there is a shift towards high-dividend stocks, with banks and public utilities like Jiangsu Ninghu Expressway announcing dividend payouts [7] Gaming Collaboration - Zhongxu Future has signed a three-year cooperation memorandum with Kaiying Network, focusing on overseas business growth and the development of popular IP games [9] - The company reported a 44.9% year-on-year increase in overseas revenue, indicating strong international market performance [10]

证券研究报告 | 行业定期报告 2025 年 05 月 22 日 AI 助力海外科技公司降本增效，关注游戏龙头恺英网络 传媒互联网行业周报 TMT 及中小盘/传媒 近期我们继续坚定推荐各个细分行业龙头公司，看好【神州泰岳】【南方传媒】 【分众传媒】【完美世界】【恺英网络】【巨人网络】【腾讯控股】【昆仑万 维】【中国科传】【芒果超媒】【哔哩哔哩】【中文在线】等 ❑ 过去的一周，传媒行业下跌了 0.67%，在所有行业中排名第 26 位，传媒板块 年初到现在上涨了 3.91%，排名所有板块第 6 名。上周传媒板块出现了一定 的调整，主要还是由于最近 AI 应用落地相对较少，市场缺乏催化剂，但另一 方面，我们可以看看海外，海外 SPOTIFY（音乐 APP）近期也创下阶段新高， SHOPIFY 也持续大涨，多邻国，奈飞，PALANTIR，SPOTIFY，SHOPIFY，其实 这些海外科技大涨都是有共性的：就是 AI 帮助这些垂直龙头降本增效，持续 的提高业绩和提高用户满意度，AI 的效果正在显现。另外，我们也看到近期 游戏板块出现了一定的调整，我们认为游戏存在明显的误杀，逻辑有以下几 点：1）龙头腾讯已经出了一季报， ...

Group 1 - Zhongxu Future (09890) saw a stock price increase of over 3%, reaching HKD 10.26 with a trading volume of HKD 19.8976 million [1] - The company announced a collaboration with Kaixin Network (002517.SZ) to jointly invest in Hangzhou Jiyi Artificial Intelligence Technology Co., focusing on AI large model technology in the gaming sector [1] - The total investment amount for the AI company agreement is RMB 10 million, and after the investment is completed, the subsidiary will become a shareholder of Jiyi Artificial Intelligence [1] Group 2 - A three-year product cooperation memorandum was signed with Kaixin Network covering various IP and game products, including new games based on classic IPs such as "Dragon Legend" and "King's Legend 2" [2] - The cooperation will also include games based on "Jin Yong's Wuxia" IP, such as "The Smiling, Proud Wanderer" and the "Condor Trilogy" [2]

Group 1 - The company announced a collaboration with Kaiying Network to jointly invest in Hangzhou Jiyi Artificial Intelligence Technology Co., aiming to advance AI large model technology in the gaming sector [1][2] - The total investment amount for the AI company agreement is RMB 10 million, with the investment completed by May 16, 2025, making the company a shareholder in Jiyi Artificial Intelligence [1] - The partnership is seen as a strategic move to enhance resource integration and build a long-term win-win ecosystem, aligning with the company's diversified product matrix strategy and "AI+" core industry layout [2][4] Group 2 - The company has established a three-year game product cooperation memorandum with Kaiying Network, covering various IP and game products, including classic IPs like "Dragon Legend" and "Blood of Heroes" [2][4] - The collaboration has yielded significant results in the development and global distribution of classic IP games, with successful titles like "Original Legend" and "All People Jianghu" topping local mobile game sales charts [3] - The strategic upgrade signifies a shift from single project cooperation to ecosystem co-construction, focusing on the boutique and diversified development of game products for a continuous entertainment experience for global players [4]

Core Viewpoint - The strategic partnership between Zhongxu Future (9890.HK) and Kaiying Network (002517.SZ) has been formalized through a three-year product cooperation memorandum, aiming to deepen collaboration in game development and distribution, leveraging their strengths for innovative growth in the gaming industry [1][3][14] Group 1: Strategic Cooperation - The memorandum signifies an upgrade in the strategic cooperation between Zhongxu Future and Kaiying Network, focusing on resource integration and complementary advantages [1][2] - The partnership will continue to build on successful past collaborations in IP operation and global distribution, with a clear strategic direction for the next three years [3][5] Group 2: Classic and New IP Development - Classic IPs such as "Legend," "Miracle," and "Hot Blood Jianghu" will remain central to the partnership, with plans to enhance their lifecycle value through exclusive distribution by Zhongxu Future [5][7] - The collaboration will also explore new IPs, including the Jin Yong martial arts series, to meet market demand for high-quality games [7][8] Group 3: Technological Innovation - The partnership will leverage AI technology to optimize game development processes and enhance content innovation efficiency, aiming for breakthroughs in storytelling and player interaction [5][10] - A joint venture focused on AI technology has been established, with Zhongxu Future investing RMB 10 million to support the development of localized content for diverse markets [12][14] Group 4: Market Impact and Future Outlook - The collaboration is positioned as a response to the evolving gaming industry, emphasizing the importance of IP derivative value and technological innovation as growth engines [14] - The partnership aims to create a sustainable development model for the gaming industry, enhancing player experiences and setting a benchmark for deep cooperation in technology, products, and market strategies [14]

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Recommendation" rating for the company, indicating an expectation to outperform the benchmark index by 10%-20% over the next six months [18]. Core Insights - The company's Q4 2024 results met expectations, while Q1 2025 results significantly exceeded expectations, with Q1 2025 revenue of 1.35 billion yuan, a year-over-year increase of 3% and a quarter-over-quarter increase of 14% [1]. - The company has a rich product pipeline for 2025, with several key IPs showing promising early performance, such as "Dragon Valley World" and "Digimon: Source Code" [8]. - The integration of AI applications is expected to enhance operational efficiency and provide valuation catalysts, with ongoing developments in AI companion technology and game engines [8]. Financial Performance Summary - For 2024, total revenue is projected at 5.118 billion yuan, with a year-over-year growth rate of 19.2%. By 2025, revenue is expected to reach 6.046 billion yuan, reflecting an 18.1% growth [3]. - The net profit attributable to the parent company is forecasted to be 1.628 billion yuan in 2024, with a growth rate of 11.4%, and is expected to increase to 2.015 billion yuan in 2025, with a growth rate of 23.7% [3]. - The earnings per share (EPS) is projected to rise from 0.76 yuan in 2024 to 0.94 yuan in 2025 [3]. Market Position and Valuation - The current market capitalization of the company is approximately 35.956 billion yuan, with a circulating market value of about 31.823 billion yuan [4]. - The target price range for the company's stock is set between 18.86 and 23.58 yuan, based on a projected price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 20-25 times for 2025 [8].

Investment Rating - The investment rating for the company is "Buy" (maintained) [1] Core Views - The company achieved a revenue of 5.118 billion yuan in 2024, representing a year-on-year increase of 19.16%, and a net profit attributable to shareholders of 1.628 billion yuan, up 11.41% year-on-year. The growth was primarily driven by the robust performance of mobile gaming, which generated 4.055 billion yuan in revenue (up 13.39% year-on-year), and a significant increase in information services revenue, which reached 941 million yuan (up 41.62% year-on-year) [3][4] - In Q1 2025, the company reported a revenue of 1.353 billion yuan, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 3.46% and a quarter-on-quarter increase of 13.62%. The net profit attributable to shareholders was 518 million yuan, up 21.57% year-on-year and 48.71% quarter-on-quarter, driven by effective cost control measures [3][4] - The company has a strong pipeline of new games, including titles like "Dragon Valley World" and "Douluo Continent: The Legend of Exorcism," which have performed well since their launch. The expansion of the product line is expected to continue driving growth [4][5] Financial Summary - The company forecasts revenues of 6.342 billion yuan, 7.086 billion yuan, and 7.876 billion yuan for 2025, 2026, and 2027, respectively, with year-on-year growth rates of 23.9%, 11.7%, and 11.1% [7] - The net profit attributable to shareholders is projected to be 2.167 billion yuan, 2.401 billion yuan, and 2.649 billion yuan for 2025, 2026, and 2027, respectively, with year-on-year growth rates of 33.1%, 10.8%, and 10.3% [7] - The company's earnings per share (EPS) are expected to be 1.01 yuan, 1.12 yuan, and 1.24 yuan for 2025, 2026, and 2027, respectively, with corresponding price-to-earnings (P/E) ratios of 16.5, 14.9, and 13.5 [7]

Core Viewpoint - The Chinese gaming industry in 2024 is characterized by a duality of "stronger becoming stronger" and "innovative disruption," with leading companies leveraging IP and technology while smaller teams utilize AI and differentiated content to break through [1] Group 1: Globalization Strategy - The survival rule in the gaming industry is "if you don't go global, you will be eliminated," which is exemplified by the company's financial report showing overseas revenue reaching 623 million yuan, a 44.9% increase from 430 million yuan in 2023, accounting for 11.2% of total revenue [2] - The company has successfully launched and operated over 30 multilingual games in various international markets, including Southeast Asia, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, and Europe and the United States [2] - The classic IP "Miracle MU: Infinite Golden Egg" gained 800,000 new users in Vietnam within its first month, dominating local app store sales charts [2] Group 2: Product Diversification - The company has addressed previous criticisms of over-reliance on legacy IPs by successfully launching new products in 2024, maintaining stable user engagement for classic IPs like "Legend" and "Miracle" [4] - The upcoming game "Dragon Legend" is set to launch in January 2025, featuring high gameplay freedom and innovative elements, ensuring the longevity of the legacy game genre [4] - The company has expanded its IP portfolio through partnerships, with the game "Douluo Dalu: Shrek Academy" achieving top rankings on app stores upon release [5] Group 3: Financial Stability and AI Strategy - The company has strengthened its financial position, with cash reserves increasing by 5.8% to 515 million yuan and a significant reduction in notes payable by 45.5%, improving liquidity [7] - The establishment of a wholly-owned subsidiary in Hong Kong focuses on AI technology applications in the gaming industry, enhancing game art production, creative writing, and marketing efficiency [6] - The integration of AI technology aims to optimize user acquisition and improve return on investment in marketing, with plans to explore AI applications in various game functionalities [6] Group 4: Future Outlook - The company's strategies of global expansion, AI integration, and diversified product offerings are expected to drive future growth, with overseas business becoming a new growth engine [8] - The focus on product matrix innovation, technology-driven strategies, and financial stability positions the company well for the next growth cycle [8]

Core Viewpoint - The company reported a revenue of 5.118 billion yuan for 2024, representing a year-over-year increase of 19.16%, and a net profit attributable to shareholders of 1.628 billion yuan, up 11.41% year-over-year [1] Group 1: Financial Performance - In Q1 2025, the company achieved a revenue of 1.353 billion yuan, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 3.46% and a quarter-over-quarter increase of 13.62% [1] - The net profit attributable to shareholders for Q1 2025 was 518 million yuan, showing a year-over-year growth of 21.57% and a quarter-over-quarter growth of 48.71% [1] - The company’s gross margin for 2024 and Q1 2025 was 81.28% and 83.57% respectively, with a slight year-over-year decrease of 2.19 percentage points for 2024 but an increase of 1.53 percentage points for Q1 2025 [3] Group 2: Product Development and Market Position - The new product "Dragon Valley World," co-published with Shengqu Games, topped the App Store game rankings on its first day and generated over 20 million yuan in revenue within five days of its launch [2] - The company has a strong pipeline of self-developed projects, including "Tomb Raider: Journey" and "Douluo Continent: Legend of the Evil," which are expected to drive future growth [2] - The company’s overseas revenue reached 375 million yuan in 2024, marking a significant year-over-year increase of 221.48% [2] Group 3: Strategic Outlook and Valuation - The company has adjusted its net profit forecasts for 2025 and 2026 to 2.04 billion yuan and 2.41 billion yuan respectively, reflecting a downward adjustment of 9% and 7% due to delays in product launches [4] - The target price for the company is set at 23.88 yuan, based on a 25X PE for 2025, which is an increase from the previous target of 20.81 yuan [4] - The company maintains a "buy" rating, supported by a rich product pipeline and successful overseas expansion [4]