Core Viewpoint - Huatai Securities maintains a "buy" rating for NetEase Youdao (NYSE: DAO) with a target price of $11.41, expressing confidence in the company's AI capabilities accelerating commercialization in education and marketing sectors [1] Financial Performance - In Q1 2025, NetEase Youdao reported a net revenue of 1.3 billion RMB, with operating profit reaching 104 million RMB, marking a historical high for the quarter and a year-on-year increase of 247.7%, significantly surpassing market expectations [3] - Operating cash flow net outflow narrowed by 34.7% year-on-year, indicating improved financial efficiency [3] Business Strategy and Growth - The company's "AI-native" strategy is driving sustained profitability, with core business showing robust growth [3] - Youdao's learning services focus on high-demand scenarios, with sales of Youdao Ling Shi increasing over 25% year-on-year in Q1 [3] - AI subscription services generated nearly 70 million RMB in sales in Q1, with a year-on-year growth rate exceeding 40% [3] - Online marketing services are expanding both domestically and internationally, with deeper collaborations with Google and NetEase Group expected to yield accelerated effects in the second half of the year [3] AI Development and Innovation - As one of the earliest companies to develop vertical large models in education, Youdao combines self-research with open-source technology [4] - The company launched the open-source educational reasoning model "ZiYue-o1" in January, which significantly enhances GPU efficiency compared to general large models [4] - The "ZiYue" model is being integrated into the company's learning services, AI subscriptions, and smart hardware, solidifying its leading position in the domestic education large model sector [4] Future Outlook - The CEO of NetEase Youdao stated that after achieving full-year profitability in 2024, the company is positioned for strategic advantages and aims to accelerate the deployment of the "ZiYue" model in both education and advertising sectors in 2025 [4] - Huatai Securities forecasts that NetEase Youdao's operating profit for 2025 could reach 216 million RMB, a year-on-year increase of 45% [4] - The company’s projected net profit under non-GAAP for 2025-2027 is estimated to be 173 million, 243 million, and 343 million RMB respectively [4] Industry Recognition - NetEase Youdao was ranked second in the "2025 Global Top Education Technology Companies" list by Times magazine, reflecting its rapid progress in large model implementation and performance [5]

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for the company with a target price of $11.41 [5][6]. Core Insights - The company's Q1 2025 performance showed revenue of 1.3 billion RMB, a year-over-year decrease of 6.7%, while operating profit reached 100 million RMB, a significant increase of 247.7%, marking a historical high for Q1 [1]. - The "AI-native" strategy is driving continuous improvement in profitability, focusing on high-demand scenarios and accelerating the commercialization of AI capabilities in education and marketing [1]. - The company is expected to achieve an operating profit of 216 million RMB for the full year 2025, representing a year-over-year increase of 45% due to accelerated AI commercialization and ongoing cost reduction measures [3]. Revenue Breakdown - In Q1 2025, the company's learning services, smart hardware, and online marketing businesses generated revenues of 602 million RMB, 190 million RMB, and 505 million RMB, respectively, with learning services experiencing a year-over-year decline of 16.1% [2]. - The AI enrollment planner has been upgraded, leading to an increase in renewal rates, while AI subscription services saw sales of nearly 70 million RMB, with a growth rate exceeding 40% [2]. Profitability and Cost Management - The operating profit margin for Q1 2025 was 8%, with significant reductions in sales, R&D, and management expenses, which decreased by 21%, 21%, and 25% year-over-year, respectively [3]. - The report anticipates that the company's profitability will continue to improve as it implements further cost optimization strategies [3]. Financial Forecast and Valuation - The report maintains the Non-GAAP net profit forecasts for 2025-2027 at 173 million RMB, 243 million RMB, and 343 million RMB, respectively [4]. - Using the SOTP valuation method, the company is assigned a PE of 23.22x for K12 business and 26.69x for smart hardware, with a target price adjustment to $11.41 based on comparable company valuation changes [4][10].

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for the company with a target price of $11.41 [5][6][10] Core Insights - The company's Q1 revenue was 1.3 billion RMB, a year-over-year decrease of 6.7%, while operating profit reached 100 million RMB, a significant increase of 247.7%, marking a historical high for Q1 [1][3] - The "AI-native" strategy is driving continuous improvement in profitability by focusing on high-demand scenarios and accelerating the commercialization of AI capabilities in education and marketing [1][2] - The company is expected to achieve an annual operating profit of 216 million RMB in 2025, a year-over-year increase of 45%, supported by accelerated AI commercialization and ongoing cost reduction measures [3] Revenue Breakdown - In Q1, the company's learning services, smart hardware, and online marketing businesses generated revenues of 602 million RMB, 190 million RMB, and 505 million RMB, respectively, with learning services experiencing a year-over-year decline of 16.1% [2] - The AI enrollment planner has been upgraded, leading to an increase in renewal rates, while AI subscription services saw sales of nearly 70 million RMB, with a growth rate exceeding 40% [2] Profitability and Cost Management - The operating profit margin for Q1 was 8%, with significant reductions in sales, R&D, and management expenses, which decreased by 21%, 21%, and 25% year-over-year, respectively [3] - The report anticipates that the company's profitability will continue to improve as it implements further cost optimization strategies [3] Financial Forecast and Valuation - The report maintains the Non-GAAP net profit forecasts for 2025-2027 at 173 million RMB, 243 million RMB, and 343 million RMB, respectively [4] - Using the SOTP valuation method, the company is assigned a PE of 23.22x for K12 business and 26.69x for smart hardware, with a target price adjustment based on comparable company valuation changes [4][10]