Summary of NetEase Inc. (NTES) Earnings Review Company Overview - **Company**: NetEase Inc. (NTES) - **Market Cap**: $85.6 billion - **Enterprise Value**: $66.4 billion - **Industry**: China Games, Entertainment & Healthcare Tech Key Financial Highlights - **2Q Performance**: - Game revenue increased by 15% year-over-year (yoy) - Deferred revenue rose by 28% yoy - Operating profit (OP) grew by 24% yoy - **Market Reaction**: Despite solid results, share price reaction was muted with a -2% decline in ADR post-results [1][2][22] - **Future Projections**: Expected to maintain at least mid-teens yoy game revenue growth for 3Q25 and steady margins for the rest of 2025E [1][2] Core Insights - **Defensive Business Model**: The results highlighted the strength and evergreen nature of NetEase's legacy titles, which continue to perform well despite a lack of major new game launches in 2Q [1][3][17] - **S&M Spending**: Sales and marketing (S&M) spending normalized to 13-14% of sales, with management indicating improved ROI from elevated promotional spending during July-August [18][24] - **Game Pipeline**: Focus on a limited number of high-quality games for global markets, with notable upcoming titles including "Destiny Rising" (launching August 28) and updates for "Ananta" [2][19][32] Financial Forecasts - **Revenue Forecasts**: - 2025E: Rmb 114.91 billion (up 0.4% from previous estimates) - 2026E: Rmb 124.07 billion (up 0.8%) - 2027E: Rmb 132.55 billion [20][21] - **Net Profit Projections**: Revised up by 1.2% to 2.0% for 2025E-27E due to improved gross margins [20][21] Important Metrics - **P/E Ratio**: Currently trading at 15X forward P/E, which is a discount compared to peers and historical averages [2] - **EPS Growth**: Expected EPS growth of 4.1% in 2025E, with further growth projected in subsequent years [12] Additional Insights - **Deferred Revenue**: Strong deferred revenue growth indicates future revenue potential, with a 28% yoy increase in 2Q25 [22] - **Market Position**: NetEase has built a solid user base and community for its titles, which is expected to sustain its evergreen nature in the coming quarters [17] - **Cash Flow**: Positive cash flow from operations projected to increase, with free cash flow expected to reach Rmb 42.18 billion in 2025E [15] Conclusion NetEase Inc. demonstrated solid financial performance in 2Q, driven by its legacy titles and effective marketing strategies. The company is well-positioned for continued growth with a strong pipeline of upcoming games and a focus on maintaining efficient spending. The market's attention is likely to shift towards its potential blockbuster titles as they approach launch dates.

Financial Performance - NetEase's market capitalization was $854 billion as of August 13, 2025[9] - Net revenues for 2Q25 reached $39 billion[9] - Net income attributable to the company's shareholders for 2Q25 was $12 billion[9] - Basic net income per ADS (GAAP) for 2Q25 was $188[9] - Net cash as of June 30, 2025, amounted to $198 billion[9] Revenue Breakdown (2Q25) - Games and related value-added services generated $3184 million in net revenues[12] - Youdao's net revenues were $198 million[20] - NetEase Cloud Music's net revenues reached $275 million[23] - Innovative businesses and others contributed $237 million in net revenues[26] Games Performance - Online games accounted for 97% of games and related value-added services revenue in 2Q25[12] - Fantasy Westward Journey Online reached over 293 million peak concurrent players in August[18] ESG Ratings - NetEase received an AA rating from MSCI[9, 40] - NetEase's Sustainalytics rating indicates a low-risk company[40]

Summary of NetEase, Inc. Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: NetEase, Inc (NTES.O) - **Industry**: Internet Entertainment - **Market Cap**: US$87.283 billion - **Current Share Price**: US$136.12 - **Price Target**: Raised from US$145.00 to US$151.00, indicating an 11% upside potential [5][21] Key Financial Metrics - **2Q25 Revenue Growth**: Expected to be 12% YoY for game revenue and 20% for non-GAAP profit [2][8] - **Adjusted Net Profit**: Projected to grow 20% YoY to RMB 9.4 billion [8] - **EPS Estimates**: Slight increases of 1-2% for 2025-2027 [3][20] - **Revenue Projections**: - 2025: RMB 114,060 million - 2026: RMB 118,798 million - 2027: RMB 123,673 million [5][24] Business Developments - **Game Titles Performance**: - **Marvel Rival S3**: Popularity rebound, ranked 2 on Steam in July [7] - **Once Human**: Strong PC gross ranking post mobile launch, estimated annual revenue contribution of RMB 800 million to 1 billion [7] - **New Titles**: Five new games scheduled for summer 2025, expected to contribute marginally in 3Q [7] Market Positioning - **Competitive Landscape**: NetEase is well-positioned amid fund inflows from the food delivery segment, with positive business developments justifying its outperformance [1] - **Marketing Strategy**: Focus on long-term marketing expense ratio rather than short-term savings [2] Valuation and Risk Assessment - **Valuation Method**: Sum of the parts (SOTP) with a target P/E of 15x for the games business [30] - **Risk Factors**: - Shorter-than-expected life cycle of games - Weaker-than-expected margins due to loss-making businesses [41] Investment Thesis - **Overweight Rating**: Reiterated with a focus on market share gains through development capabilities and global expansion [31] - **Margin Improvement**: Expected from a favorable revenue mix and better cost control, leading to operating profit margin expansion towards 34% [31] Additional Insights - **Revenue Growth Drivers**: Anticipated acceleration in game revenue driven by localized content and new titles [32] - **Consensus Rating Distribution**: 90% Overweight, 10% Equal-weight [34] Conclusion - **Outlook**: Positive growth trajectory with a focus on game revenue and margin expansion, supported by a strong pipeline of new titles and strategic market positioning [43]

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for NetEase, with a target price increase to USD 130 from USD 120, implying a 21.4% upside from the current share price of USD 107.11 [6][11][100] Core Insights - NetEase's recent earnings report showed a 25% beat in earnings, a 5% beat in game revenue, and an 11% beat in deferred revenue, leading to a revision of EPS growth to +18% year-on-year in 2025 [2][11] - The strong deferred revenue growth of 19% year-on-year indicates potential for accelerating game revenue growth in the upcoming quarters [2][97] - Upcoming game launches, including Marvel Mystic Mayhem and Destiny Rising, are anticipated to be key focus areas following the annual product launch event [2][11] Financial Performance - In Q1 2025, NetEase reported total revenue of RMB 28,829 million, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 7% [91] - Online game revenue grew by 15% year-on-year, driven by strong performances from titles such as Identity V, Where Winds Meet, and Marvel Rivals [94] - The gross profit margin (GPM) for games and related value-added services (VAS) was reported at 67%, with a non-GAAP operating profit of RMB 11,393 million, representing a 34% year-on-year increase [91][94] Game Highlights - Mobile game revenue only fell by 4% year-on-year, outperforming consensus expectations of a 6% decline, thanks to strong performances from Identity V and Where Winds Meet [3][94] - PC game revenue saw an impressive growth of 85% year-on-year, significantly above the consensus estimate of 67%, driven by contributions from WWM PC and Blizzard titles [3][94] - The launch of Once Human mobile resulted in 6 million new users in its first week, boosting the PC version's revenue by 500% [3][94] Margin Discussions - The report notes an increase in games and related VAS gross profit margin quarter-on-quarter, attributed to a reduced focus on non-game businesses and a shift towards profitability [4][94] - The report anticipates that it will take a few quarters for sales and marketing expenses as a percentage of revenue to normalize [4] Valuation Metrics - The report provides estimates for future financial performance, projecting revenue of RMB 116,721 million for 2025, with a year-on-year growth of 11% [98] - The estimated price-to-earnings (PE) ratio for 2025 is 12.6, indicating a favorable valuation compared to historical averages [7][14] Pipeline and Future Outlook - The report highlights key upcoming titles such as Ananta, expected to launch in 2026, which could significantly contribute to future revenue streams [2][90] - The successful return of Overwatch in China has set new records for peak concurrent users, indicating strong market demand for NetEase's offerings [94]

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for NetEase Inc. (NTES) with a 12-month price target of $140.00, indicating an upside potential of 30.7% from the current price of $107.11 [1]. Core Insights - NetEase reported a strong performance in 1Q25, with game revenue increasing by 15% year-over-year (yoy) and operating profit rising by 34% yoy, alleviating concerns regarding its legacy and mobile games [1][22]. - The growth is expected to continue due to the success of newly released titles, a recovery in legacy titles, and improved promotional strategies [1][18]. - The report anticipates low to mid-teens yoy game revenue growth and further margin expansion for the remainder of 2025 [1]. Summary by Sections Financial Performance - In 1Q25, PC games revenue surged by 84% yoy, driven by successful titles such as Marvel Rivals and Where Wind Meets, alongside contributions from Blizzard games [2][22]. - Historical profit margins are at a high due to disciplined expense management and sequential gross profit margin (GPM) expansion [3]. Revenue and Earnings Forecasts - Revenue forecasts for 2025E have been revised upwards by 1.3% to 114,803.9 million RMB, with net profit estimates increased by 10.4% to 38,685.9 million RMB [20][21]. - The report projects a total revenue growth of 9.0% for 2025, with EBITDA growth of 18.6% and EPS growth of 16.6% [12]. Game Pipeline and Strategy - NetEase is focusing on a globalization strategy, with plans to release more titles targeting international markets, particularly in the PVP genre [17][25]. - Key upcoming titles include Marvel Mystic Mayhem and Destiny: Rising, with a focus on competitive gameplay to leverage R&D expertise [25][38]. Market Position and Valuation - The stock is currently trading at a P/E ratio of 14X for 2025E, which is considered a discount compared to peers and historical averages [18]. - The report highlights that international games revenue is expected to grow to 12.6% of total revenue by 2025E, driven by new global titles [33].

Financial Performance - NetEase's total net revenues for 1Q25 were $3.973 billion, a 7.4% increase year-over-year[39] - Games and related value-added services contributed $3.314 billion in net revenues for 1Q25, up 12.1% year-over-year[39] - Net income attributable to the company's shareholders for 1Q25 was $1.42 billion, a 34.9% increase year-over-year[39] - Basic net income per ADS (GAAP) for 1Q25 was $2.24[9] - The company's net cash position as of March 31, 2025, was $18.9 billion[9] Business Segments - Youdao's net revenues for 1Q25 were $179 million, a 6.8% decrease year-over-year[39] - NetEase Cloud Music's net revenues for 1Q25 were $256 million, reflecting an 8.5% decrease year-over-year[39] - Innovative businesses and others generated $224 million in net revenues for 1Q25, a 17.5% decrease year-over-year[39] Games Highlights - Online games accounted for 98% of games and related value-added services net revenues in 1Q25[12] - Where Winds Meet surpassed 30 million registered players as of March 2025[18] - Once Human mobile game quickly claimed the No1 position on the iOS download charts in more than 160 regions upon its April 2025 launch[18]

Core Viewpoint - NetEase, Inc. reported strong financial results for the first quarter of 2025, driven by robust performance in its gaming segment and ongoing innovation across its business lines [1][5][10]. Financial Highlights - Net revenues for Q1 2025 were RMB 28.8 billion (US$ 4.0 billion), a 7.4% increase year-over-year [7][10]. - Net revenues from games and related value-added services reached RMB 24.0 billion (US$ 3.3 billion), marking a 12.1% increase compared to the same quarter of 2024 [8][10]. - Gross profit for the quarter was RMB 18.5 billion (US$ 2.5 billion), an increase of 8.6% year-over-year [13][10]. - Net income attributable to shareholders was RMB 10.3 billion (US$ 1.4 billion), up from RMB 7.6 billion in Q1 2024 [17][10]. - Non-GAAP net income attributable to shareholders was RMB 11.2 billion (US$ 1.5 billion), reflecting a significant increase from RMB 8.5 billion in the same quarter of the previous year [18][10]. Operational Highlights - The company launched several successful titles, including "Marvel Rivals" and "Where Winds Meet," which contributed to increased engagement and revenue [10][8]. - Youdao's net revenues were RMB 1.3 billion (US$ 178.9 million), consistent with the previous quarter but down 6.7% year-over-year due to a focus on core services [9][10]. - NetEase Cloud Music reported revenues of RMB 1.9 billion (US$ 256.1 million), a decrease of 8.4% compared to the same quarter of 2024 [11][10]. - Innovative businesses and others generated RMB 1.6 billion (US$ 223.8 million), down 17.6% year-over-year, primarily due to reduced revenues from advertising services [12][10]. Cash Flow and Dividend - As of March 31, 2025, the company's net cash totaled RMB 137.0 billion (US$ 18.9 billion), an increase from RMB 131.5 billion at the end of 2024 [20][10]. - The board approved a dividend of US$ 0.1350 per share for Q1 2025, payable in June 2025 [21][10]. Share Repurchase Program - The company has repurchased approximately 21.6 million ADSs for a total cost of US$ 1.9 billion under its ongoing share repurchase program [24][10].