Core Insights - The "easy profit era" of the live streaming industry is coming to an end, with companies facing growth pressures and profitability anxieties, leading to a collective transformation phase [1][2] - The five major players in the live streaming sector—Douyu, Huya, Huanju, Yingyu Universe, and Zhihui Group—are struggling to adapt and move away from their reliance on live streaming [2][12] Revenue Performance - In Q1 2025, Douyu reported revenue of 9.47 billion yuan, down 8.94% year-on-year; Huya's revenue was 15.09 billion yuan, a slight increase of 0.3%; Zhihui's revenue was 25.21 billion yuan, down 1.5%; Huanju's revenue was 4.94 billion USD (approximately 35.48 billion yuan), down 12% [4][6] - For the fiscal year 2024, the revenue ranking of the five companies was led by Huanju (22.38 billion USD), followed by Zhihui (105.63 billion yuan), Yingyu Universe (68.51 billion yuan), Huya (60.79 billion yuan), and Douyu (42.71 billion yuan) [4][6] Revenue Structure - Despite efforts to decentralize from live streaming, it remains the main revenue source for most companies: in 2024, Douyu, Huya, and Huanju had live streaming revenue shares of 72%, 78%, and approximately 80%, respectively [7][8] - In Q1 2025, the live streaming revenue shares were approximately 60% for Douyu, 75% for Huya, and 75% for Huanju, indicating a continued reliance on this segment [7][8] User Engagement - User engagement is declining, with Douyu's monthly active users (MAU) at 41.4 million, down 8.7% year-on-year, and average paying users at 2.9 million, down 14.71% [9][10] - Huanju's global MAU was 260 million, down 6.1%, with its products Bigo Live and Likee also experiencing significant declines in user numbers [10] Profitability - Huanju showed relative stability in profitability, with a net profit of 298.5 million USD for 2024 and 63.2 million USD for Q1 2025, indicating some resilience [11] - Douyu, however, reported a net loss of 240 million yuan for 2024 and continued to lose 79.61 million yuan in Q1 2025, marking a significant decline in profitability [11] Market Response - The market has reacted negatively to the performance of these companies, with their market capitalizations significantly reduced compared to their peak values [12] - As of the latest reports, the market values were Huanju (2.45 billion USD), Zhihui (1.004 billion USD), Huya (876 million USD), Yingyu Universe (2.557 billion HKD), and Douyu (200 million USD) [12] Transformation Efforts - Companies are attempting to find new growth avenues, with Douyu and Huya focusing on innovative business models and advertising [15][16] - Huanju has successfully expanded its overseas operations, while Yingyu Universe has pivoted towards short dramas, showing some signs of recovery [19][20] Future Outlook - The ability of these companies to successfully transition away from live streaming will determine their survival in the evolving market landscape [12][26] - Emphasis on technological advancements, particularly AI, is seen as crucial for enhancing content generation and user engagement [23][25]

Core Insights - JOYY Inc. reported Q1 2025 revenue of $494.4 million, with non-live revenue reaching $123 million, a year-over-year increase of 25.3% [2] - The company's GAAP and non-GAAP operating profits for Q1 were $12.2 million and $31 million, reflecting year-over-year growth of 244.5% and 24.9% respectively [2] - JOYY's cash flow from operations for the quarter was $58 million, and the company returned $49.1 million to shareholders through dividends and stock buybacks [2] Group 1: Live Streaming Business - JOYY's live streaming revenue for Q1 was $371.3 million, with BIGO Live contributing $351.6 million [3] - The monthly active users in North America for BIGO Live grew over 7% year-over-year, while the number of paying users increased approximately 4% quarter-over-quarter [3] - The company is deploying a diverse product matrix in verticals such as live streaming, short videos, and instant messaging to build a globally influential user community [3] Group 2: Non-Live Revenue Growth - Non-live revenue accounted for 24.9% of total revenue in Q1, marking its first significant contribution as a second growth curve for the company [4] - BIGO Ads experienced a year-over-year growth of approximately 27%, driven by localized operations, proprietary traffic resources, and advanced algorithm models [4] - The gross margin and operating margin for BIGO improved significantly, with non-live revenue growth driving overall business gross margin up to 42.1% [4] Group 3: Future Outlook - The company anticipates a recovery in BIGO's revenue in Q2, with expectations for non-GAAP operating profit to stabilize and potentially grow throughout the year [4] - JOYY's diverse product matrix covers over 260 million users globally, enhancing its appeal to advertisers and integrating cutting-edge generative AI technology into its advertising business [4]

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for the company, YY US, with a target price of $60.00, indicating a potential upside of 29.9% from the current price of $46.19 [1][29]. Core Insights - The first quarter profits exceeded expectations, with revenue reported at $490 million, a year-on-year decline of 12%. The live streaming revenue decreased by 20%, primarily due to adjustments in non-core voice streaming business and the prior removal of BIGO Live. However, there are signs of marginal improvement in key developed markets, such as a 4% quarter-on-quarter increase in paying users in North America [2][7]. - Non-live revenue grew by 25%, now accounting for 25% of total revenue, with advertising revenue increasing by 27% and SaaS business growing over 20% [2][7]. - The adjusted net profit for the quarter was $63 million, better than the expected $53 million [2][7]. - The company has a stable shareholder return plan, with $600 million in dividends and $300 million in buybacks over three years, representing an average annual return of 13% of market capitalization [2][7]. Financial Forecasts - Revenue forecasts for 2025 have been slightly reduced by 3% to $2.122 billion, reflecting a year-on-year decline of 5%. The adjusted net profit forecast for 2025 has been increased to $267 million [5][30]. - The company expects a recovery in BIGO live streaming revenue and accelerated growth in advertising revenue in the second quarter, which may offset the impact of adjustments in the live streaming business [2][7]. - The financial model indicates a stable gross margin expectation despite the anticipated increase in advertising revenue, which typically has a lower profit margin [2][7]. Financial Data - As of the end of the first quarter, the company reported net cash of $3.4 billion, approximately 150% of its current market capitalization [2][13]. - The company has maintained a consistent cash flow, with operating cash flow reported at $58 million for the first quarter [18][31]. - The projected financials for 2025 include total revenue of $2.122 billion, with a gross profit of $764 million and a net profit of $212 million [30][31].

Core Viewpoint - JOYY is seeking new growth engines amid a peak in global entertainment live streaming industry and declining growth rates [1][2] Financial Performance - In Q1 2025, JOYY reported revenue of $494 million, a decrease of 12.4% from $565 million in Q1 2024, primarily due to a sharp decline in live streaming revenue [1] - Core live streaming revenue was $371 million, down over 20% year-on-year [1][3] - The sale of YY Live generated a confirmed gain of approximately $1.876 billion, leading to a net profit of $1.92 billion attributable to shareholders [1] - Non-GAAP operating profit was $31 million, an increase of 24.9% year-on-year [1] Business Segments - JOYY's advertising business has shown strong performance, becoming a key driver for non-live business growth, with non-live revenue increasing by 25.3% to $123 million [2][6] - The non-live revenue from BIGO Ads grew by 27.3% to $80.26 million, accounting for over 60% of total non-live revenue [6] - The number of paying users in the BIGO segment decreased by 13.2%, with average revenue per paying user (ARPPU) declining by approximately 5.8% to $221.6 [2][3] Market Trends - The global live streaming market has seen a decline in user conversion rates since 2021, with high content investment and subsidy costs making profitability more challenging [3] - The industry is experiencing a shift as platforms seek new directions, with JOYY focusing on overseas markets and optimizing its revenue-sharing mechanisms [3][4] - Despite the decline in live streaming revenue, JOYY's live streaming income in developed markets increased by 2.8 percentage points to 47.4% [4] Strategic Focus - JOYY is shifting its strategic focus towards "tooling + advertising platform," moving towards B2B services [7] - The company aims to prioritize user growth in developed countries and the Middle East, responding to regional differences in online entertainment spending [3][7] - The market remains cautious about JOYY's transformation path, as balancing profitability and investment amid ongoing live streaming business fatigue is a key challenge for the upcoming quarters [7]

Group 1 - The core revenue for the company in Q1 2025 was $49.44 million, with non-live streaming revenue reaching $12.3 million, representing a year-on-year growth of 25.3% [2] - Live streaming revenue amounted to $37.13 million, with BIGO Live contributing $35.16 million. The company has established a diverse product matrix in live streaming, short videos, and instant messaging, creating a globally influential user community [2] - The live streaming segment enhanced regional user engagement through localized operational strategies, leading to increased user stickiness and improved paid conversion rates. Monthly active users for Bigo Live in North America grew over 7% year-on-year, with paid user numbers increasing approximately 4% quarter-on-quarter [2] Group 2 - In the non-live business segment, the BIGO Ads advertising platform experienced rapid growth, driven by AI-powered user insights, smart creativity, and precise targeting capabilities. The advertising business grew approximately 27% year-on-year in Q1 [3] - The company's chairperson and CEO, Li Ting, stated that 2025 marks the 20th anniversary of the company, and the results of its diversified growth strategy are becoming evident. The company plans to further advance its diversification strategy with the steady development of live streaming and the expansion of advertising and other business scales [3]

Core Insights - JOYY Inc. reported a revenue of US$494.4 million for Q1 2025, with non-livestreaming revenue at US$123.0 million, marking a 25.3% year-over-year increase [2][10] - The company achieved significant growth in operating profits, with GAAP operating profit increasing by 244.5% to US$12.2 million and non-GAAP operating profit rising by 24.9% to US$31.0 million [2][10] - JOYY distributed US$49.1 million in dividends and repurchased US$22.5 million worth of shares, demonstrating a commitment to returning value to shareholders [3] Financial Highlights - Total revenue for Q1 2025 was US$494.4 million, with operating income at US$12.2 million, a 244.5% increase from the previous year [10] - Non-GAAP operating income was US$31.0 million, up 24.9% year-over-year [10] - Net income from continuing operations attributable to controlling interest was US$45.4 million, slightly up from US$45.3 million in Q1 2024 [10] Business Highlights - Livestreaming revenue reached US$371.3 million, with BIGO contributing US$351.6 million [6] - Bigo Live's North American region saw a 7% year-over-year growth in monthly active users (MAU) and a 4% quarter-over-quarter increase in paying users [7] - JOYY's products engaged users through operational activities related to Ramadan, boosting brand influence and user activity [8] Product and Advertising Developments - JOYY enhanced its user experience on Bigo Live, leading to a 4% quarter-over-quarter increase in average viewing time per user and a 3% increase in ARPPU among high-end users [9][11] - BIGO Ads revenue grew by 27% in Q1 2025, supported by the company's strengths in local operations and advanced algorithms [12] - The integration of premium publisher traffic with first-party traffic in BIGO Ads has created a robust advertising system, leveraging AI technologies to improve ad performance and revenue opportunities [13]

Financial Highlights - The company reported net revenues of $494.4 million for Q1 2025, a decrease from $564.6 million in Q1 2024 [5] - Non-livestreaming revenues reached $123.0 million, marking a year-over-year increase of 25.3% and accounting for 24.9% of total net revenues for the first time [4][8] - Live streaming revenues were $371.3 million, down from $466.4 million in the same period last year, attributed to a decline in paying users and ARPPU [6][5] - GAAP operating profit was $12.2 million, a 244.5% increase year-over-year, while non-GAAP operating profit was $31.0 million, up 24.9% [12][13] - The company distributed approximately $49.1 million in dividends and repurchased $22.5 million worth of shares from January 1, 2025, to May 23, 2025 [4] Operational Highlights - The global average mobile MAUs decreased to 260.4 million from 277.3 million year-over-year, primarily due to optimized sales and marketing strategies [7] - The average mobile MAUs for Bigo Live, Likee, and Hago were 28.9 million, 30.2 million, and 3.3 million, respectively, all showing declines compared to the previous year [7] - The total number of paying users for BIGO was 1.45 million, down from 1.67 million in the same period last year [7] Cost and Profitability - Cost of revenues decreased by 14.5% to $315.7 million, leading to a gross profit of $178.6 million, with a gross margin of 36.1% [9][10] - Operating expenses were reduced to $167.2 million, down from $195.4 million in Q1 2024, with significant decreases in sales and marketing expenses [11] - Non-GAAP net income from continuing operations was $63.2 million, compared to $67.2 million in Q1 2024, with a non-GAAP net income margin of 12.8% [15] Balance Sheet and Cash Flow - As of March 31, 2025, the company had net cash of $3,385.9 million, an increase from $3,275.9 million at the end of 2024 [17] - Net cash from operating activities for Q1 2025 was $58.0 million [17] Business Outlook - For Q2 2025, the company expects net revenues to be between $499 million and $519 million, reflecting current market conditions and operational strategies [20] Shareholder Returns - The company has authorized a quarterly dividend program, with a total of approximately $600 million to be distributed over three years, declaring a dividend of $0.94 per ADS for Q2 2025 [22]