Autohome (NYSE:ATHM) Q3 2025 Earnings Call November 06, 2025 07:00 AM ET Speaker0Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for standing by for Autohome's third quarter 2025 earnings conference call. At this time, all participants are in listen-only mode. A question-and-answer session will follow management prepared remarks. As a reminder, this conference call is being recorded. If you have any objections, you may disconnect at this time. A live and archived webcast of this earnings conference call will also be availa ...

Core Insights - Autohome Inc. reported its unaudited financial results for Q3 2025, highlighting advancements in AI and O2O strategies, user growth, and revenue increases in its online marketplace [3][4][5]. Financial Performance - Net revenues for Q3 2025 were RMB 1,778.1 million (US$ 249.8 million), a slight increase from RMB 1,774.5 million in Q3 2024 [4][5]. - Net income attributable to Autohome was RMB 436.6 million (US$ 61.3 million), down from RMB 441.3 million in the same period last year [11]. - Adjusted net income (Non-GAAP) was RMB 406.9 million (US$ 57.2 million), compared to RMB 497.2 million in Q3 2024 [15]. Revenue Breakdown - Media services revenues were RMB 298.0 million (US$ 41.9 million), down from RMB 326.0 million in Q3 2024 [6]. - Leads generation services revenues decreased to RMB 663.7 million (US$ 93.2 million) from RMB 830.7 million in the previous year, attributed to a decline in the number of paying dealers [6][7]. - Online marketplace and other revenues increased by 32.1% year-over-year to RMB 816.4 million (US$ 114.7 million) [7]. Cost and Expenses - Cost of revenues rose to RMB 646.0 million (US$ 90.7 million) from RMB 407.7 million in Q3 2024, primarily due to higher transaction costs in lower-tier cities [8]. - Operating expenses decreased to RMB 1,024.5 million (US$ 143.9 million) from RMB 1,352.2 million in the same quarter last year [9]. Profitability Metrics - Operating profit for Q3 2025 was RMB 147.0 million (US$ 20.7 million), compared to RMB 82.6 million in Q3 2024 [10]. - Basic and diluted earnings per share (EPS) were RMB 0.89 (US$ 0.13) in Q3 2025, slightly up from RMB 0.88 and RMB 0.87 in the same period last year [12]. Cash Dividend and Share Repurchase - The board approved a cash dividend of US$ 1.20 per ADS (or US$ 0.30 per ordinary share), totaling approximately RMB 1 billion, to be paid in early 2026 [5][17]. - As of October 31, 2025, the company had repurchased 5,483,238 ADSs for approximately US$ 145.9 million [5]. User Engagement - The average number of mobile daily active users grew by 5.1% year-over-year to reach 76.56 million in September 2025 [3]. Employee Count - As of September 30, 2025, Autohome had 4,259 employees, including 1,206 from TTP Car, Inc. [18]. Cash Position - As of September 30, 2025, the company had cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments totaling RMB 21.89 billion (US$ 3.08 billion) [16].

Core Viewpoint - Autohome Inc. will report its financial results for Q3 2025 on November 6, 2025, before U.S. markets open, indicating the company's ongoing commitment to transparency and communication with investors [1]. Group 1: Financial Reporting - The financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2025, will be announced before the U.S. markets open on November 6, 2025 [1]. - An earnings conference call is scheduled for 7:00 AM U.S. Eastern Time on the same day, allowing stakeholders to engage directly with the management team [2]. Group 2: Conference Call Details - Participants must register in advance to join the earnings conference call, receiving dial-in numbers and a personal PIN upon registration [2]. - A live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available on Autohome's investor relations website, ensuring accessibility for all interested parties [3]. Group 3: Company Overview - Autohome Inc. is recognized as the leading online platform for automobile consumers in China, focusing on reducing decision-making and transaction costs through advanced technology [4]. - The company offers a variety of content types, including user-generated and AI-generated content, and provides extensive automobile listing information, covering the entire car purchase and ownership cycle [4]. - Autohome's services extend to dealer subscriptions and advertising, enabling dealers to market their inventory effectively and generate sales leads [4]. - The company operates "Autohome Mall," a full-service online transaction platform, and offers additional services such as auto financing, insurance, used car transactions, and aftermarket services [4].

Core Viewpoint - Autohome Inc. has undergone a significant change in its ownership structure and management following the completion of a share transfer agreement, resulting in CARTECH becoming the controlling shareholder and several key management changes within the company [1][2][3]. Ownership Changes - Following the share transfer, Yun Chen Capital Cayman now holds 23,916,500 ordinary shares, approximately 5.1% of the total shares, and has ceased to be the controlling shareholder [2][10]. - CARTECH has acquired 200,884,012 ordinary shares, representing approximately 43.0% of the total shares, thus becoming the new controlling shareholder of Autohome [2][10]. Management Changes - Mr. Song Yang has resigned as Director and CEO, taking on the role of Senior Vice President [3]. - Ms. Keke Ding and Dr. Fan Lu have also resigned from their positions as Directors [3]. - Mr. Chi Liu has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Board, CEO, and Director, along with several other new appointments to the Board [4]. New Board Appointments - The new Board includes Mr. Haishan Liang, Ms. Cuimei Zhang, Mr. Shenglei Zhou, and Mr. Xing Fang, all of whom bring extensive experience and qualifications relevant to their roles [4][5][6][7][8][9]. - A Compliance Management Committee has been formed to oversee compliance and risk management systems, chaired by Ms. Cuimei Zhang [4]. Company Overview - Autohome Inc. is a leading online platform for automobile consumers in China, providing a range of services including content generation, automobile listings, and transaction facilitation [11].

Core Viewpoint - Autohome Inc. has extended its share repurchase program through December 31, 2025, allowing for the repurchase of up to US$200 million of its American depositary shares [1][2]. Group 1: Share Repurchase Program - The Board approved the extension of the Share Repurchase Program originally authorized in September 2024, which allows for the repurchase of up to US$200 million of ADSs over a twelve-month period [1]. - As of August 8, 2025, the company has repurchased 5,422,647 ADSs at a total cost of approximately US$144 million [1]. - The repurchases may occur through various means, including open market transactions and block trades, depending on market conditions [2]. Group 2: Company Overview - Autohome Inc. is the leading online platform for automobile consumers in China, aiming to reduce decision-making and transaction costs in the auto industry through advanced technology [3]. - The company provides a wide range of content and services, including user-generated content, a comprehensive automobile library, and extensive listing information, covering the entire car purchase and ownership cycle [3]. - Autohome's platform is utilized by automakers and dealers for advertising, and it offers services such as sales leads, data analysis, and marketing to enhance efficiency and facilitate transactions [3].

Core Viewpoint - Autohome Inc. will report its financial results for Q2 and the first half of 2025 on July 31, 2025, before U.S. markets open, with a conference call scheduled for the same day [1]. Group 1: Financial Reporting - The financial results for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2025, will be announced before U.S. markets open on July 31, 2025 [1]. - An earnings conference call will be hosted by Autohome's management team at 8:00 AM U.S. Eastern Time on July 31, 2025 [1]. Group 2: Conference Call Details - Participants must register in advance to join the conference call, receiving dial-in numbers and a personal PIN upon registration [2]. - The conference call can be accessed ten minutes prior to the scheduled start time [2]. Group 3: Company Overview - Autohome Inc. is a leading online platform for automobile consumers in China, providing a wide range of content and services related to car purchasing and ownership [4]. - The company offers dealer subscription and advertising services, enabling dealers to market their inventory to millions of internet users in China [4]. - Autohome operates "Autohome Mall," a full-service online transaction platform, and provides additional services such as auto financing, insurance, used car transactions, and aftermarket services [4].

Core Viewpoint - Autohome Inc. has successfully re-elected Mr. Song Yang as a director during its 2024 annual general meeting, indicating stability in leadership and governance [1] Company Overview - Autohome Inc. is the leading online platform for automobile consumers in China, aiming to reduce decision-making and transaction costs in the auto industry through advanced technology [2] - The company offers a variety of content types, including occupationally generated, professionally generated, user-generated, and AI-generated content, along with a comprehensive automobile library and extensive listing information [2] - Autohome serves as a preferred platform for automakers and dealers to conduct advertising campaigns, leveraging its large and engaged user base [2] - The company provides dealer subscription and advertising services, enabling dealers to market their inventory and services to millions of internet users in China [2] - Autohome operates "Autohome Mall," a full-service online transaction platform that facilitates transactions for automakers and dealers [2] - Additional value-added services offered by the company include auto financing, auto insurance, used car transactions, and aftermarket services [2]

Core Viewpoint - Autohome Inc. is set to hold its annual general meeting of shareholders on June 27, 2025, in Beijing, China, with shareholders entitled to vote based on their holdings as of June 2, 2025 [1][2]. Group 1: Annual General Meeting Details - The annual general meeting will take place at 4:00 p.m. Beijing time on June 27, 2025, at CEC Plaza, Beijing [1]. - Shareholders of ordinary shares and American depositary shares (ADSs) as of June 2, 2025, are eligible to attend and vote at the meeting [2]. Group 2: Financial Reporting - The company has filed its annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which includes audited financial statements [4]. - An annual report for Hong Kong purposes has also been published, accessible on the company's website and the HKEX's website [5]. Group 3: Company Overview - Autohome Inc. is recognized as the leading online platform for automobile consumers in China, aiming to reduce decision-making and transaction costs in the auto industry through advanced technology [6]. - The company offers a variety of content types, including occupationally generated, professionally generated, user-generated, and AI-generated content, along with extensive automobile listing information [6]. - Autohome provides services such as dealer subscriptions, advertising, sales leads, data analysis, and a full-service online transaction platform called "Autohome Mall" to facilitate transactions for automakers and dealers [6].

Group 1 - Autohome Inc. will report its financial results for Q1 2025 on May 8, 2025, before U.S. markets open [1] - An earnings conference call will be hosted by Autohome's management team at 8:00 AM U.S. Eastern Time on the same day [1] - Participants must register in advance to receive dial-in numbers and a personal PIN for the conference call [2] Group 2 - Autohome is a leading online platform for automobile consumers in China, providing a wide range of content and services related to the automotive industry [4] - The company offers dealer subscription and advertising services, enabling dealers to market their inventory to millions of internet users [4] - Autohome operates "Autohome Mall," a full-service online transaction platform, and provides additional services such as auto financing, insurance, and used car transactions [4]

Core Viewpoint - Autohome Inc. has released its 2024 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) report, highlighting its commitment to sustainability and innovation in the automotive ecosystem [1][2]. Group 1: ESG Strategy and Progress - The report details Autohome's long-term ESG strategy and progress in areas such as corporate governance, product responsibility, responsible management practices, talent development, sustainable operations, and social welfare initiatives [2]. - Chairman Quan Long emphasized the company's dedication to environmental stewardship and its role in fostering a sustainable automotive ecosystem [3]. Group 2: Company Overview - Autohome Inc. is recognized as the leading online platform for automobile consumers in China, providing a wide range of content and services related to the automotive industry [4]. - The company offers various services including dealer subscription and advertising, sales leads, data analysis, and marketing services to enhance efficiency for automakers and dealers [4]. - Autohome operates "Autohome Mall," a full-service online transaction platform, and provides additional value-added services such as auto financing, insurance, used car transactions, and aftermarket services [4].