Core Viewpoint - Haotong International initiates coverage on Boss Zhipin (02076) with an "Outperform" rating and a target price of HKD 105, highlighting its unique business model in China's online recruitment sector and the potential of GAI technology to strengthen its leading position [1] Group 1: User Growth and Market Position - The company continues to see growth in new user numbers, with an average monthly active users (MAU) of 63.8 million as of Q3 2025, representing a year-on-year increase of 10% and a quarter-on-quarter increase of 0.3% [1] - The total number of paid enterprise users increased by 13.3% year-on-year and 4.6% quarter-on-quarter, reaching 6.8 million by the end of Q3 2025 [1] - Boss Zhipin's daily active user (DAU) market share reached 43%, which is double that of the second competitor, indicating a strong market position [1] Group 2: Industry Supply and Demand Dynamics - In Q3, the company experienced its first instance in nearly three years where the average daily active users of enterprise clients outpaced that of job seekers, signaling a performance turning point [2] - Revenue from blue-collar business continues to outperform the overall platform, while the white-collar segment sees increased participation from small and medium enterprises [2] - The growth rate of new job postings in the white-collar sector has exceeded that of the same period in 2023, suggesting a positive trend for Q4 [2] Group 3: Operational Efficiency and Profitability - The company has improved operational efficiency, with estimated non-GAAP costs and operating expenses reduced by RMB 152 million in Q3, leading to an operating profit margin of 42% [3] - The company is expected to maintain prudent expense control and efficiency measures, with profit margins in Q4 projected to remain stable compared to Q3, and an overall improvement in profit margins anticipated for 2025 [3] Group 4: AI Business Development - The AI job-seeking assistant has been fully launched, resulting in a significant increase in user interaction rates [4] - The AI communication assistant has been integrated into existing commercial products, enhancing the average two-way conversion rate by 7% [4] - The company is cautiously exploring diversified AI management services and bulk recruitment solutions targeting high-end white-collar, gold-collar, and blue-collar sectors, with initial benefits being realized [4]

Core Insights - BOSS Zhipin reported Q3 2025 revenue of 2.16 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 13.2%, with net profit reaching 775 million yuan, driven by accelerated AI integration in recruitment and job-seeking processes [1] - The company has solidified its leading position in the market, with analysts recommending attention to the recovery of recruitment demand and advancements in AI applications [1][2] Financial Performance - Q3 revenue was 2.16 billion yuan, up 13.2% year-on-year, and net profit was 775 million yuan [1] - R&D expenditure reached 408 million yuan, surpassing sales and marketing expenses, which decreased by 24.6% to 394 million yuan [2] User Growth and Engagement - Average monthly active users (MAU) reached 63.8 million, a 10% increase year-on-year, with over 40 million new users added from January to October 2025 [2] - BOSS Zhipin's download volume ranks among the top three globally, significantly outpacing similar platforms in Europe and the US [2] AI Integration and Efficiency - AI technology is reshaping the recruitment industry, with 67% of organizations using AI in hiring, a 189% increase since 2022 [4] - AI tools can reduce recruitment time and costs by 33%, achieving an average ROI of 340% within 18 months [4] - AI capabilities have been integrated into product features, enhancing efficiency for both job seekers and recruiters [5] Job Seeker Support - The "AI Job Assistant" has become a frequently used tool, providing job recommendations, answering queries, and offering resume optimization suggestions [6] - AI features like "AI Mock Interviews" help alleviate the anxiety of inexperienced job seekers [6] Recruiter Support - AI tools such as "AI Fast Recruitment" and "AI Communication Assistant" streamline the recruitment process for small and medium enterprises [6] - The "AI Interview Summary" function provides real-time analysis and summaries of interview discussions, improving decision-making efficiency [6] Market Trends and Opportunities - The rise of the blue-collar market has opened new growth avenues, with blue-collar income reaching a historical high in Q3 [8] - The demand for high-end talent in AI and related fields has surged, with significant growth in positions like AI product managers and algorithm developers [8] Capital Market Response - BOSS Zhipin's long-term value has been recognized by major international funds, with institutions like Capital Group and BlackRock choosing to increase their holdings [9] - Future enhancements in matching efficiency and user engagement are anticipated as AI capabilities evolve [9]

Core Viewpoint - BOSS Zhipin's Q3 2025 financial report indicates a revenue of 2.16 billion yuan, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 13.2%, amidst a recovering job market driven by macroeconomic factors and AI technology integration [1][3]. Group 1: Market Trends - The overall recruitment market is recovering, with blue-collar jobs and lower-tier markets emerging as new growth engines, while AI technology is enhancing efficiency for both users and companies [3][4]. - The national employment situation is improving, with the urban survey unemployment rate dropping to 5.1% in October, signaling a positive trend in job demand [4]. - BOSS Zhipin reported a 25% year-on-year increase in new job postings in Q3, with a notable shift where the number of active users on the employer side surpassed that of job seekers for the first time in three years, indicating improved supply-demand dynamics [4][6]. Group 2: Sector Performance - Blue-collar job performance is particularly strong, with manufacturing leading revenue growth for five consecutive quarters, and significant activity in transportation, logistics, and service industries [6]. - The income share of blue-collar jobs reached a historical high of 38% in Q3 2025, with a year-on-year growth of approximately 16%, outpacing white-collar sectors [6]. - Government initiatives aimed at stabilizing employment have led to increased demand for service sector jobs, with notable growth in positions such as kitchen staff and general laborers [6][7]. Group 3: Operational Efficiency - BOSS Zhipin's sales and marketing expenses decreased by 24.6% year-on-year to 394 million yuan, while the average monthly active users reached 63.8 million, reflecting a healthy expansion in user base [8]. - The company’s R&D investment in Q3 amounted to 408 million yuan, surpassing sales expenses, indicating a focus on AI and technology for product development and safety governance [8][9]. - The net profit for Q3 was 775 million yuan, with operating cash flow of 1.174 billion yuan, showcasing strong profitability and risk resilience [9]. Group 4: AI Integration - AI technology is transforming the recruitment process, with BOSS Zhipin launching an AI job assistant that enhances user interaction and improves job matching efficiency [11][12]. - The AI tools are designed to assist HR in efficiently screening candidates and automating responses to common inquiries, significantly improving recruitment speed and quality [11][12]. - The application of AI in internal management has led to reduced development cycles and improved service quality, while also enhancing safety measures against recruitment fraud [12][13]. Group 5: Future Outlook - The recruitment industry is entering a new cycle driven by policy support, consumer recovery, and industrial upgrades, with AI technology providing unprecedented efficiency [13]. - BOSS Zhipin's financial results serve as a roadmap for industry transformation, highlighting the potential for growth in blue-collar and lower-tier markets, as well as the shift from information matching to intelligent decision-making in recruitment [13]. - The ongoing evolution of AI models and regional economic revitalization is expected to create new structural opportunities in the recruitment sector [13].

Core Insights - BOSS Zhipin reported steady growth in revenue, profit, and user base in Q3 2025, driven by a recovering recruitment market and increased penetration in blue-collar and lower-tier cities [2][3][12] - The company emphasized the importance of operational efficiency and technological investment, which have begun to yield positive results [2][11] Financial Performance - In Q3 2025, BOSS Zhipin achieved revenue of 2.16 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 13.2% [2] - The number of paid enterprise clients reached 6.8 million, reflecting a 13.3% year-on-year growth [2] - Net profit for Q3 2025 rose to 775 million yuan, supported by a reduction in sales and marketing expenses by 24.6% [12] Market Trends - Recruitment demand has shown a steady increase, with the number of new job postings rising by 25% year-on-year in Q3 [2][3] - Blue-collar income growth continues to lead, with manufacturing showing the highest growth rate among sectors [3] AI Integration - The company has accelerated the integration of AI technologies in recruitment processes, enhancing efficiency in matching and communication [9][10] - AI tools, such as the job-seeking assistant and interview simulation tools, have seen increased usage, contributing to higher engagement rates among users [9] User Engagement - The average monthly active user count reached 63.8 million, a 10% year-on-year increase [12] - The platform's user base in the blue-collar segment has grown significantly, with a notable "snowball effect" enhancing its competitive edge [6] Safety and Governance - BOSS Zhipin has strengthened its safety governance framework, implementing an "AI + human" dual governance system to address risks such as recruitment fraud and harassment [13] - The company has actively collaborated with law enforcement, assisting in the resolution of 58 cases and the arrest of 607 suspects this year [13]

Financial Performance - In Q3 2025, the company generated total revenue of RMB 2.16 billion, representing a year-on-year increase of 13.2% [6][46] - Adjusted operating profit reached RMB 900 million, up 49.3% year on year [6] - GAAP net profit was RMB 780 million, a 67.2% increase year on year, with a net profit margin of 35.8% [8][50] - Share-based compensation expenses decreased by 21% year on year to RMB 220 million [8][47] - Net cash provided by operating activities was RMB 1.2 billion, up 45% year on year [51] Business Line Performance - The average verified monthly active users (MAU) on the BOSS Zhipin app reached 63.82 million, with over 40 million newly verified users acquired from January to October [10] - Newly posted job positions increased by 25% year on year, indicating a rebound in enterprise-side demand [12] - The number of paid enterprise customers grew by 13.3% year on year to 6.8 million [16][46] Market Performance - Blue-collar revenue growth led the sectors, with manufacturing industries showing the highest revenue growth for five consecutive quarters [19] - Participation from small and medium-sized enterprises in the white-collar industry increased, with a stable average spending per customer [28] - Demand in tier-one cities is rebounding, while revenue contribution from tier-three cities continues to rise [29] Company Strategy and Industry Competition - The company is focusing on integrating AI into its products and operations, with significant progress in AI Job Search Assistant and AI interview features [30][31] - The strategy includes improving the online job search environment for blue-collar workers and developing a user scale of double-sided users [20][26] - The competitive landscape is evolving, with traditional recruitment platforms facing pressure from AI companies entering the market [90][100] Management Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that recruitment activities from enterprises recovered in Q3, with improved hiring demand driving revenue growth [53][67] - The company expects total revenue for Q4 2025 to reach between RMB 2.05 billion and RMB 2.07 billion, indicating continued growth momentum [51] - The management emphasized a focus on profitability while also prioritizing user growth and market share expansion [86][87] Other Important Information - The company completed an annual dividend payment of approximately $80 million in October [45] - The overall ARPPU remained stable despite structural mix shifts [47] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is the overall recruitment demand recently? - Management confirmed that recruitment activities from enterprises recovered in Q3, with improved hiring demand driving accelerated revenue growth [53][67] Question: What is the perception of KA renewal willingness? - The company observed improving contract renewal rates, particularly in Q3, signaling a potential turning point in customer retention [69] Question: How can the company sustain above-peer growth? - The company highlighted that over 80% of paid enterprise customers are small and micro enterprises, indicating ample room for growth despite macro uncertainties [78] Question: What are the major investment areas for next year? - Management indicated that profitability will not be sacrificed for revenue growth, with a focus on user growth and maintaining a high margin profile [84][86]