Summary of the Gaming Industry Conference Call Industry Overview - The gaming industry in China has maintained high activity levels since the summer, with a market size of approximately 29 billion yuan in July, reflecting a year-on-year growth of nearly 5% [1][4] - Mobile game revenue showed a slight increase, with several new games performing well, such as "Douluo Dalu: Soul Master World," which generated over 100 million yuan in its first month [1][4] - The market size remained stable in August compared to July, but there was a year-on-year decline, with mobile game revenue decreasing by 4% [1][4] Key Insights - The overall performance of the gaming industry has been positive this year, supported by a relaxation of policies and an acceleration in supply growth [2] - The industry is in an upward trend, with new game launches significantly boosting company performance [2] - The release of 156 game licenses in September, including 145 domestic and 11 imported, indicates a healthy regulatory environment [6][7] Company-Specific Developments - Huatuo's core overseas products have shown strong performance, leading to an 11% month-on-month increase in revenue for Diandian Interactive [8] - Giant Network's game "Supernatural" has exceeded expectations in revenue stability, with plans to launch an overseas version next year [8] - Key products approved include new titles from Tencent, NetEase, and miHoYo, indicating strong competition among major players [6][7] International Market Performance - Chinese self-developed games generated nearly 1.7 billion USD in overseas revenue in July, with a year-on-year growth in single digits [5] - Despite a 10% year-on-year decline in August due to high base effects, some products like KingShow's "Frost Knight" maintained strong growth, with a 20% month-on-month increase [5] Future Trends - The legendary game market is substantial, with annual revenues of 30-40 billion yuan, and more legendary games are expected to enter the market [9] - Future growth will come from expanding partnerships with larger companies, the introduction of 25 key legendary games, and enhancements in PC, live streaming, and item trading functionalities [9] Product Development and AI Initiatives - Kaiying Network is entering a new product cycle, with "Blood of the River and Lake" launched in South Korea and plans for several new titles by 2025-2026 [10] - The AI product EVE is expected to launch by the end of the year, and the AI gaming platform Soon may begin commercialization [10] Performance of Key Companies - Gigabit has consistently outperformed expectations, with "Sword of the Hero" showing strong overseas revenue growth of 14% month-on-month in August [11] - Perfect World and Shenzhou Taiyue have new titles in development, with Perfect World's "Yihuan" showcased at the Tokyo Game Show [12] Overall Market Sentiment - The gaming industry remains strong, with companies performing well even in the traditionally slower month of September [13] - Continued investment opportunities are recommended in companies such as Giant Network, Kaiying Network, ST Huatuo, Perfect World, Gigabit, Shenzhou Taiyue, and Sanqi Interactive [13]

Core Insights - NetEase's martial arts MMO game "The Legend of the Condor Heroes" will officially cease operations on November 24, 2025, after less than two years of operation [1] - The game, which cost 1 billion to develop, aimed for a "150-year long-term operation" vision but failed to achieve market success [1] - Reasons for the shutdown include the expiration of the IP licensing agreement with Minghe Company and adjustments in NetEase's operational strategy [1] Financial and Operational Summary - The game was launched on March 28, 2024, and despite a major overhaul with the release of version 2.0, it could not reverse its poor market performance [1] - The closure of the game has led to the shutdown of download and recharge channels, with the company offering compensation in the form of equivalent points for unused in-game currency and exclusive benefits in seven other NetEase games [1]

Core Viewpoint - Goldman Sachs has raised its earnings per share forecast for NetEase-S (09999) by 2-3% for the years 2025-2027, citing stronger game revenue growth and higher profit margins from the "Fantasy Westward Journey" series [1] Group 1: Financial Performance - The target price for NetEase has been increased to HKD 252 [1] - NetEase's stock price has risen by 74% year-to-date and increased by 19% following the release of its Q2 earnings, outperforming the Chinese internet sector [1] Group 2: Future Outlook - Goldman Sachs anticipates that NetEase will deliver solid performance in the second half of 2025, driven by strong results from its classic games [1] - For 2026, the company is expected to benefit from two upcoming potential blockbuster games and success in overseas markets, which may lead to a revaluation of its stock price [1]

Core Viewpoint - The shift of popular game streamer Xu Xu Bao from streaming "Dungeon & Fighter" to "Fantasy Westward Journey" reflects the competitive landscape among major game companies and the survival challenges faced by game streamers [1][5]. Group 1: Streamer Transition - Xu Xu Bao, a well-known game streamer, will start streaming "Fantasy Westward Journey" on September 5, which has generated significant buzz in the gaming community [2]. - The transition from "Dungeon & Fighter" to "Fantasy Westward Journey" indicates a competitive relationship between the two leading game companies [1][5]. - Xu Xu Bao has created a character in "Fantasy Westward Journey" and aims to maintain a stable audience of over 100,000 viewers to justify continuing the stream [3]. Group 2: Financial Aspects - There are rumors that NetEase paid an eight-figure sum for Xu Xu Bao to stream "Fantasy Westward Journey," although this has not been confirmed by the company [3]. - A veteran player mentioned that Xu Xu Bao's influence could attract new players to "Fantasy Westward Journey," enhancing its player base [3][4]. Group 3: Game Longevity and Innovation - "Fantasy Westward Journey," despite being over 20 years old, continues to attract players, showcasing the pressure on game companies to maintain the game's popularity [5]. - NetEase's CEO Ding Lei emphasized the importance of product quality and continuous innovation in their games, including adjustments made to "Fantasy Westward Journey" to enhance player experience [6][7]. - The game achieved a peak of 2.93 million concurrent users in August, marking a historical high, and its mobile version also saw record revenue [7]. Group 4: Marketing Strategies - "Fantasy Westward Journey" has successfully evolved through various marketing strategies, including celebrity endorsements and community engagement, which have helped maintain its relevance in the gaming market [8].

Core Viewpoint - The concept of "evergreen games" has emerged as a strategic focus for major Chinese gaming companies Tencent and NetEase, aiming to maintain long-term revenue and player engagement in a mature market where creating new hits is increasingly challenging [1][2][15]. Group 1: Definition and Importance of Evergreen Games - "Evergreen games" refer to titles that sustain high revenue, popularity, and a stable player base over time, serving as cash cows for gaming companies [2][3]. - The strategy of focusing on evergreen games allows companies to leverage existing successful titles while minimizing the risks associated with new game launches [15][29]. Group 2: Market Share and Competition - Tencent and NetEase dominate the evergreen game market, with 20 out of 30 titles listed in the "2024 China Evergreen Game List," accounting for over 70% of the market share and an estimated revenue of $4.85 billion [3][4]. - The competition between Tencent and NetEase is characterized by their different game genres, with Tencent focusing on MOBA and shooting games, while NetEase emphasizes MMORPGs [6][7]. Group 3: Strategic Differences - Tencent has a larger portfolio of evergreen games, with 13 titles listed compared to NetEase's 7, indicating a significant lead in both current and potential evergreen games [8][10]. - The revenue structure also differs, with Tencent generating income from both domestic and international markets, while NetEase primarily relies on domestic revenue [11][14]. Group 4: Industry Context and Challenges - The rise of evergreen games is seen as a response to the industry's "hit-driven anxiety," where companies seek stability in a market that has matured and where user growth is limited [15][16]. - Both companies are adapting to a changing landscape by focusing on cross-platform games and GaaS (Games as a Service) models, which allow for ongoing content updates and player engagement [17][18]. Group 5: Future Outlook and Strategic Focus - The ongoing competition between Tencent and NetEase in the evergreen game sector is expected to intensify, with both companies aiming to secure dominance in their respective genres while exploring international markets [19][24]. - The strategic emphasis on evergreen games is not just a defensive measure but also a proactive approach to ensure long-term growth and sustainability in a highly competitive environment [27][29].

Core Viewpoint - NetEase's Q2 2025 financial report shows a net revenue of 27.9 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 9.4%, but the results fell short of market expectations, leading to a stock price drop of over 10% [2]. Group 1: Financial Performance - NetEase's Q2 net revenue reached 27.9 billion yuan, with game business revenue accounting for 22.8 billion yuan [2]. - The company achieved a net profit of 8.6 billion yuan in Q2, but faces increasing pressure due to declining revenues from non-gaming products [5]. Group 2: Product Performance and Market Challenges - The company has seen fluctuations in revenue from successful new products launched in the past two years, with no major new releases this year contributing to a challenging situation [2]. - Management is focusing on the performance of older products and their expansion in overseas markets, while newer products launched in the first half of the year were not mentioned in the earnings call [2]. - The gaming market in China is becoming increasingly competitive, with major players like Tencent emphasizing the importance of content-driven games, adding pressure on NetEase [5]. Group 3: Development and Investment Issues - NetEase's high investment in game development has not yielded corresponding returns in the short term, with some high-cost projects, such as "Wanmin Changge: Three Kingdoms," being halted [3]. - The company is facing challenges with ongoing disputes over alleged plagiarism between its games, which could further impact its reputation and performance [3].

Group 1: Financial Performance - In Q2 2025, the company achieved revenue of 27.9 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 9% [1] - Non-GAAP net profit reached 9.5 billion yuan, up 22% year-on-year, with a Non-GAAP net profit margin of 34.2%, an increase of 3 percentage points [1] - The comprehensive gross profit margin was 64.7%, up 1.8 percentage points year-on-year, while the total operating expense ratio was 32%, down 3 percentage points year-on-year [1] Group 2: Gaming Business - Online gaming revenue for Q2 2025 was 22.1 billion yuan, a 15% year-on-year increase, with strong performance from titles like "Identity V" and "Marvel Duel" [2] - Deferred revenue reached 16.97 billion yuan, a 25% year-on-year increase, indicating healthy future revenue streams [2] - The company is focusing on global expansion with new game releases and updates, achieving significant rankings on various platforms [2] Group 3: Youdao and Cloud Music - Youdao's net revenue for Q2 2025 was 1.4 billion yuan, a 7% year-on-year increase, driven by a 24% growth in advertising services [2] - Net revenue for NetEase Cloud Music was 2 billion yuan, down 4% year-on-year, with a gross margin of 36.1%, up 4 percentage points year-on-year [3] - The company is expected to increase investment in copyright content in the second half of the year, which may lead to a decrease in gross margin [3] Group 4: Investment Outlook - The company is recognized for its strong game development capabilities and is expected to maintain profitability, with adjusted net profit forecasts of 39.3 billion, 42.5 billion, and 46.7 billion yuan for 2025-2027 [3] - Continued focus on high-quality and globalized game offerings is anticipated, with key titles to watch including "Destiny: Stars," "Forgotten Sea," and "Return to Tang" [3]

Market Overview - A-shares opened high and closed at a ten-year high, with the Shanghai Composite Index rising by 0.85% and trading volume reaching 2.81 trillion yuan, the highest since October 2024[3][16] - The Hang Seng Index fell by 0.37%, while the Hang Seng Technology Index increased by 0.65%[12] - U.S. stocks showed mixed performance, with the Dow Jones down 0.1% and the S&P 500 virtually unchanged, as investors awaited key earnings reports and the Jackson Hole meeting[10] Monetary Policy Insights - The People's Bank of China emphasized a moderately loose monetary policy, with potential for further reserve requirement ratio (RRR) and interest rate cuts if domestic demand does not recover sufficiently[5] - The report highlighted a focus on improving the efficiency of capital allocation and supporting high-quality consumption finance to sustain domestic demand expansion[5] Commodity and Forex Movements - International oil prices rose by approximately 1%, with WTI crude oil closing at $63.42 per barrel, driven by geopolitical developments[27] - The U.S. dollar index increased by 0.3%, while the euro appreciated by 12.6% year-to-date against the dollar[26] Stock Performance Highlights - Notable stock movements included NetEase, which is expected to see stable growth in its gaming segment, with a target price of $143, up from $130.30[8] - Mobileye's stock is projected to rise as it expands its advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) business, with a target price of $17.6[8] Sector Performance - In the A-share market, sectors such as information technology and healthcare saw gains of 2.2% and 1.0%, respectively, while real estate and energy sectors faced declines[17] - In Hong Kong, the healthcare and consumer goods sectors both rose by 1.9%, while the energy sector fell by 1.7%[12] Global Economic Indicators - The U.S. 10-year Treasury yield rose to 4.33%, reflecting market expectations ahead of the Federal Reserve's upcoming announcements[30] - The report noted that inflationary pressures and fiscal risks are key concerns for the UK, with the 30-year government bond yield reaching its highest level since 1998[30]

Investment Rating - The industry investment rating is "Positive (Maintain)" [1] Core Insights - The report highlights a strong recovery in the PC gaming market, driven by both new and classic games, which is expected to boost advertising investments in internet cafes and esports hotels [3] - The report emphasizes the growth in the online music sector, with significant revenue increases reported by NetEase Cloud Music, indicating a robust demand for music streaming services [3] - The report discusses the advancements in AI applications, particularly with the release of GPT-5 and other models, which are expected to accelerate the commercialization of AI across various sectors [3] Summary by Relevant Sections Gaming Sector - Tencent's Q2 2025 domestic and overseas game revenue reached 40.4 billion yuan (up 17% year-on-year) and 18.8 billion yuan (up 35% year-on-year) respectively, driven by the success of "Delta Action" [3] - NetEase's Q2 2025 game revenue was 22.8 billion yuan (up 13.7% year-on-year), with "Dream Journey" achieving a peak online player count of 2.93 million in August [3] - The report recommends companies such as Tencent, NetEase, and others in the gaming sector due to their strong performance and growth potential [3] Music Sector - NetEase Cloud Music reported an adjusted operating profit of 910 million yuan (up 35% year-on-year) for H1 2025, with online music revenue of 2.97 billion yuan (up 15.9% year-on-year) [3] - The growth is attributed to improved user experience and an expanding music library, indicating a positive trend for online music platforms [3] AI Applications - The report notes that advancements in large models, particularly in multi-modal capabilities and reasoning, are expected to enhance AI application commercialization [3] - Companies such as ShengTian Network, Kuaishou, and others are recommended for investment in AI-related sectors [3]

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for the company with a target price of 237.1 HKD, up from the current price of 200.2 HKD [3]. Core Views - The company reported a net revenue of 27.9 billion RMB for Q2 2025, representing a year-over-year increase of 9.4%, although slightly below the Bloomberg consensus estimate of 28.4 billion RMB [1]. - The gaming segment continues to show strong growth, with net revenue of 22.8 billion RMB, a year-over-year increase of 13.7%, but also below market expectations [1]. - Deferred revenue at the end of the period reached 17 billion RMB, up 24.6% year-over-year, indicating strong future revenue support [1]. - The company has adjusted its profit forecasts for 2025 and 2026, increasing them by 9.9% and 8.2% respectively, and introduced a new profit forecast for 2027 [1]. Summary by Sections Financial Performance - Q2 2025 operating profit was 9.06 billion RMB, with an operating margin of 32.5%, slightly below the expected 9.35 billion RMB [1]. - Adjusted net profit for Q2 2025 was 9.5 billion RMB, a year-over-year increase of 21.9%, also slightly below the expected 9.6 billion RMB [1]. - The company's gross margin improved to 64.7%, up 1.8 percentage points year-over-year, exceeding expectations [1]. Business Segments - The gaming segment's online game revenue was 22.1 billion RMB, with a year-over-year growth of 14.9%, driven by new releases [1]. - Youdao's net revenue was 1.4 billion RMB, a year-over-year increase of 7.3%, surpassing expectations [1]. - Cloud music revenue reached 2 billion RMB, also up 7.3% year-over-year, exceeding expectations [1]. - Innovative and other businesses saw a decline in revenue, down 17.8% year-over-year [1]. Profitability and Cost Management - Marketing expenses were 3.6 billion RMB, with a marketing expense ratio of 12.8%, indicating a recovery to historical levels [1]. - The company continues to optimize its management and R&D expenses, with management expense ratio at 3.8% and R&D expense ratio at 15.6% [1]. Valuation and Future Outlook - The report projects a 2025-2026 adjusted net profit of 39.02 billion RMB and 41.43 billion RMB respectively, with a new forecast for 2027 at 44.48 billion RMB [2]. - The company is expected to benefit from the high growth potential in the domestic gaming industry and improvements in profitability for its cloud music segment [1].