Core Viewpoint - Haitong International initiates coverage on Zhihu-W (02390) with an "Outperform" rating, setting a target price of HKD 14.8 based on a projected price-to-sales ratio of 1.2x for the fiscal year 2025 [1] Group 1: Company Analysis - The integration of generative AI in Zhihu's Q&A expansion, personalized recommendations, and advertising creative generation is expected to enhance both content supply and commercial conversion efficiency, providing new monetization flexibility [1] - Zhihu's unique positioning in the Q&A community, combined with the benefits from large models and ample cash reserves, is viewed positively [1] - The management has committed to returning value to shareholders, having repurchased USD 66.5 million worth of shares in the first nine months of 2025 [1]

Core Viewpoint - Haitong International initiates coverage on Zhihu-W (02390) with an "Outperform" rating, setting a target price of HKD 14.8 based on a projected price-to-sales ratio of 1.2x for the fiscal year 2025 [1] Group 1: Company Analysis - The integration of generative AI in Zhihu's Q&A expansion, personalized recommendations, and advertising creativity is expected to enhance both content supply and commercial conversion efficiency, providing new monetization flexibility [1] - Zhihu's unique positioning in the Q&A community, combined with the benefits from large models and ample cash reserves, is viewed positively [1] - The management has committed to returning value to shareholders, having repurchased USD 6.65 million in the first nine months of 2025 [1]

海通国际发表研报指，首次覆盖知乎，予"优于大市"评级，以预测2025财年市销率1.2倍计，H股目标价 14.8港元。 该行认为公司的生成式AI在问答扩展、个性化推荐及广告创意生成等场景的深度融合，有机会撬动平 台内容供给与商业转化双端效率，带来新的变现弹性。该行预测，知乎2025第四季度、2025财年总收入 分别为6.4亿元、27.5亿元，看好知乎在问答社区的独特卡位，叠加大模型红利与充足现金。其次，管理 层承诺持续回报股东，2025年前九个月已回购6650万美元。 ...

Investment Rating - The report initiates coverage on Zhihu-W (2390 HK) with an "Outperform" rating, targeting a price of HK$14.80 [2][5][24]. Core Insights - Zhihu is positioned as China's leading Q&A-centric online content community, leveraging generative AI to enhance content supply and commercial conversion, which is expected to unlock new monetization opportunities [3][19]. - The company aims to achieve its first annual adjusted profit in 2025, with a focus on improving operational efficiency and reducing costs [8][22]. - The integration of AI tools is transforming the community ecosystem, significantly increasing user engagement and monetization potential [23]. Financial Overview - For FY25, total revenue is projected to decline by 24% to RMB 27.5 billion, with adjusted net profit expected to be RMB 33.34 million, marking a return to profitability [9][20]. - The company reported a total revenue of RMB 6.589 billion in Q3 2025, a 22% year-over-year decline, but better than market expectations [20][21]. - Adjusted gross profit margin is expected to improve from 60.6% in FY24 to 61.7% in FY25, indicating a focus on margin expansion [17][20]. Business Segment Outlook - Online marketing services are anticipated to bottom out in Q4 2025, with management confident in maintaining revenue levels in 2026 [21]. - Paid membership services are being refined to enhance user experience and community integration, with projected revenue of RMB 344 million for Q4 2025 [21][22]. - The vocational education segment has reached breakeven and is now included in the "Other" business category, contributing to overall revenue stability [21][22]. Valuation Analysis - The report assigns a price-to-sales (P/S) ratio of 1.2 for FY25, reflecting a cautious valuation approach due to ongoing business adjustments [13][24]. - The target price of HK$14.80 is based on the company's unique positioning in the Q&A community and the anticipated benefits from AI integration [5][24].

Core Insights - Zhihu reported a total revenue of RMB 716.9 million for Q2 2025, a decrease of approximately 23% compared to RMB 933.8 million in Q2 2024 [1] - The gross margin improved from 59.6% in Q2 2024 to 62.5% in Q2 2025 [1] - The net profit for Q2 2025 was RMB 72.5 million, a significant turnaround from a net loss of RMB 80.6 million in Q2 2024 [1] Revenue Breakdown - Marketing services revenue decreased to RMB 222.8 million in Q2 2025 from RMB 344 million in Q2 2024, attributed to a strategic focus on improving profit margins [1] - Paid membership revenue slightly declined to RMB 402 million in Q2 2025 from RMB 432.7 million in Q2 2024, mainly due to a decrease in average monthly subscribers [1] - Vocational training revenue fell to RMB 62.1 million in Q2 2025 from RMB 133.6 million in Q2 2024, reflecting strategic optimization of Zhihu's business [1] - Other income increased by 27.6% to RMB 30 million in Q2 2025 from RMB 23.5 million in Q2 2024 [1] Subscriber Metrics - The average monthly paid subscribers reached 13.2 million in Q2 2025 [1]