Key Takeaways Sea Limited posted 38.3% revenue growth in Q3 but missed earnings expectations.Shopee, Monee and Garena each delivered strong year-over-year gains across key metrics.Competitive pressure in Southeast Asia and Latin America adds challenges to SE's outlook.Sea Limited’s (SE) latest results highlight why investors should hold the stock despite its third-quarter earnings miss. The company delivered strong top-line expansion, with revenues rising 38.3% year over year, driven by sustained Gross Merc ...

Core Insights - JD.com reported a total revenue increase of 14.9% year-on-year for Q3 2025, reaching RMB 299.1 billion (US$ 42.0 billion) [19][7] - The company achieved a new milestone of over 700 million annual active customers as of October 2025, indicating strong growth in user base and shopping frequency [3] - JD Retail revenues grew by 11.4% year-on-year, with significant contributions from general merchandise and advertising services [19][7] Financial Performance - Net income attributable to ordinary shareholders was RMB 5.3 billion (US$ 0.7 billion) for Q3 2025, down from RMB 11.7 billion in Q3 2024 [28] - Non-GAAP net income attributable to ordinary shareholders was RMB 5.8 billion (US$ 0.8 billion) for Q3 2025, compared to RMB 13.2 billion for the same period last year [28] - Diluted net income per ADS decreased to RMB 3.39 (US$ 0.48) from RMB 7.73 in Q3 2024 [29] Business Segments - JD Retail reported net revenues of RMB 250.6 billion (US$ 35.2 billion) for Q3 2025, with an operating margin of 5.9%, up from 5.2% in Q3 2024 [26][7] - JD Logistics saw a revenue increase of 24.1% year-on-year, reaching RMB 55.1 billion (US$ 7.7 billion) [36] - New Businesses segment revenues surged by 213.7% year-on-year to RMB 15.6 billion (US$ 2.2 billion) [36] Share Repurchase Program - The company repurchased approximately 80.9 million Class A ordinary shares for about US$ 1.5 billion during the first nine months of 2025, with a remaining authorization of US$ 3.5 billion under the share repurchase program [4][5] Strategic Initiatives - JD Supermarket announced five strategic initiatives to expand its user base over the next three years, focusing on product differentiation and operational efficiency [8] - The launch of the "JD FASHION" label aims to enhance consumer trust in apparel quality [9] - JD Health entered into strategic partnerships with leading pharmaceutical companies to expand its online marketplace for new and specialty medicines [13][14] Cash Flow and Working Capital - As of September 30, 2025, the company's cash and cash equivalents totaled RMB 210.5 billion (US$ 29.6 billion), down from RMB 241.4 billion at the end of 2024 [30] - Free cash flow for Q3 2025 was negative RMB 11.2 billion (US$ 1.6 billion), reflecting increased capital expenditures and operational cash flow challenges [31]

Core Thesis - JD.com, Inc. is viewed positively due to its strong fundamentals, low valuation, and strategic growth opportunities, despite recent operating losses from heavy investments in food delivery [1][4][6] Company Overview - JD.com, Inc. is the largest technology-driven e-commerce retailer in China, headquartered in Beijing, and is part of the NASDAQ-100 and Fortune Global 500 [2] - The company's mission focuses on enhancing customer experience and operational efficiency through advanced technology and a robust supply chain [2] Business Segments - JD Retail operates a direct-sales online platform covering various product categories, ensuring quality control and inventory management [2] - JD Logistics offers an efficient network of warehouses and delivery personnel across China, generating external service revenue and maintaining high profitability [3] - The company has expanded into high-growth areas such as JD Health and industrial supply chain solutions, and is entering the competitive food delivery market [3] Financial Performance - JD.com has faced recent operating losses due to increased SG&A expenses from food delivery investments, but these are expected to decline [4] - The company is trading at historically low valuations, with a P/E ratio of 10.03 and an EV/EBITDA of approximately 7x, indicating potential upside [4][5] - JD maintains a strong balance sheet with $29.85 billion in cash against $14.07 billion in debt, and is executing a $5 billion buyback program with a 2.87% dividend yield [5] Management and Strategy - The management team includes founder Richard Qiangdong Liu and CEO Sandy Ran Xu, who has significant financial expertise [5] - The company is focused on revenue and EBIT growth, with a low volatility (Beta 0.4) and medium-term technical upside projected towards $45 [5] Market Position and Risks - JD.com faces intense competition from Alibaba and Pinduoduo, along with expansion costs and geopolitical/regulatory uncertainties [4] - Despite a ~14% stock depreciation since March 2025, the bullish thesis remains intact due to JD's strong fundamentals and undervaluation [6]

Core Insights - JD.com and Sea Limited have established themselves as leading global digital commerce platforms, each developing a comprehensive ecosystem that extends beyond retail [2] - Both companies are heavily investing in technology, supply chain innovation, and ecosystem synergies to drive sustainable growth [2] JD.com Overview - JD.com is recognized as one of China's most trusted e-commerce platforms, with a robust ecosystem that includes online retail, logistics, and fintech [4] - The company is expanding into new categories such as groceries, healthcare, and third-party marketplace services, enhancing customer experience and operational efficiency [4] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for JD's Q3 2025 total revenues is $41.21 billion, reflecting an 11.06% year-over-year growth, while EPS is estimated at 44 cents, indicating a 64.52% year-over-year decline due to reinvestment strategies [5] - JD's disciplined execution and technology-driven fulfillment network position it well for sustainable recovery despite near-term profitability constraints [6] Sea Limited Overview - Sea Limited is solidifying its position as a leading digital ecosystem in Southeast Asia and Latin America, driven by its three main segments: e-commerce (Shopee), digital financial services (SeaMoney), and digital entertainment (Garena) [7] - Shopee is the primary growth driver, with increased order frequency and improved logistics efficiency, while SeaMoney is expanding rapidly through various financial services [8] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Sea Limited's Q3 2025 revenues is $5.84 billion, indicating a 36.81% year-over-year growth, with EPS projected at $1.11, reflecting a 105.56% year-over-year increase [10] - Sea Limited's disciplined execution and scalable business model support healthy growth and improving profitability across its core markets [11] Performance Comparison - Year-to-date, Sea Limited shares have increased by 53.3%, while JD.com shares have declined by 5.5%, indicating differing market responses to their growth strategies [12] - On a forward 12-month basis, Sea Limited trades at 29.03X earnings compared to JD.com's 9.62X, reflecting investor confidence in Sea's profitability and growth trajectory [14] - Sea Limited's higher valuation is justified by its accelerating growth and clearer earnings visibility, contrasting with JD's slower recovery pace [14] Conclusion - Both JD.com and Sea Limited are executing effectively within their markets, but their growth trajectories differ significantly [18] - JD's strong logistics infrastructure and disciplined expansion support its long-term potential, while Sea Limited demonstrates sharper earnings momentum and improved cost control [18] - Sea Limited's diversified regional footprint and stronger profitability trend currently give it an edge over JD.com [18]

Core Insights - JD.com is strengthening its leadership in China's e-commerce market through a vertically integrated, supply chain-driven model that combines retail, logistics, and marketplace services [1] - The company's retail segment is the primary growth driver, contributing nearly 87% of total revenue in Q2 2025, with sales growing 21% year over year to RMB 310.1 billion ($43.3 billion) [2][8] - JD is well-positioned to capture growth in China's expanding e-commerce market, projected to reach 1.53 trillion in 2025 and 2.52 trillion by 2030, with a CAGR of 10.42% [3] Revenue and Profitability - JD's retail segment sales growth reflects broad-based strength across home appliances, general merchandise, and supermarkets, underscoring the scalability of its integrated model [2] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Q3 2025 revenues is $41.21 billion, indicating an 11.06% year-over-year increase, with 2025 revenues projected at $183.33 billion, reflecting 14.04% growth [4] Competitive Landscape - Competition in China's e-commerce market is intense, with JD.com, PDD Holdings, and Alibaba pursuing distinct growth strategies [5] - JD differentiates itself through its supply chain depth and premium positioning in high-frequency categories, while PDD focuses on price-sensitive segments and Alibaba emphasizes efficiency and profitability [5] Valuation and Performance - JD.com shares have increased 0.6% year to date, underperforming the Zacks Internet-Commerce industry and Retail-Wholesale sector [6] - The company is trading at a forward 12-month price-to-earnings ratio of 10.32X, lower than the industry's 24.21X, and carries a Value Score of A [10]

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - The internet sector in China is expected to enter a new phase in 2025, driven by recent government policy support measures and improving consumer sentiment [1][2][33] - A basket of 18 stocks across various sub-sectors is recommended for investors, indicating a diversified investment approach [1][16][53] Core Insights Ecommerce - Consumer sentiment is crucial for the recovery of the ecommerce sector, with a projected focus on user growth and monetization strategies [3][34][58] - Alibaba (BABA) is expected to benefit from the ramp-up of Quanzhantui (QZT) and new product monetization, with a positive FY26 outlook [3][34] - JD's strategies on user growth and supply chain capabilities are anticipated to remain effective, while PDD's profitability outlook will be closely monitored [3][34] - The online shopping GMV for physical goods increased by 8% YoY in 8M2024, with food and beverages up 19% YoY [58] Entertainment - High-quality games are essential for success in the online gaming sector, with Tencent's key titles consistently ranking in the top positions for iOS game grossing [4][38] - NetEase is expected to see market anticipation for the mobile version of "Where Winds Meet," which could act as a share price catalyst [4][38] Online Advertising - The online advertising industry is projected to grow, with major platforms like Tencent, BABA, and Baidu expected to maintain their market shares [5][40] - AI technology is anticipated to enhance advertising capabilities, improving user experience and conversion rates [5][40] Verticals - The travel sector is viewed as a preferred vertical, with companies like TCOM expected to gain market share in domestic and outbound travel [12][41] - BEKE is expected to benefit from government support measures in online property transactions [12][41] Logistics - The logistics industry is expected to see parcel volume growth driven by recovering consumer sentiment, with ZTO and JDL positioned for strong performance [13][42][45] Cloud Computing - Alibaba, Baidu, and Tencent are expected to see significant growth in cloud revenue, particularly from AI migration [14][49] Fintech - Loan volume growth is anticipated to benefit from a recovery in consumer sentiment, with a focus on high-quality borrowers [15][47] Additional Insights - The report emphasizes the importance of different valuation methodologies across sub-sectors, with online shopping currently trading at the low end of sector valuation [51] - Capital return strategies, including share repurchase programs by Tencent and BABA, are highlighted as key areas of interest for investors [52] Conclusion - The internet sector in China is poised for a recovery in 2025, with various sub-sectors showing potential for growth driven by consumer sentiment, government support, and technological advancements [1][2][33][36]

Core Insights - JD.com reported a robust 22.4% year-on-year revenue growth for Q2 2025, reaching RMB 356.7 billion (US$ 49.8 billion) [10][16] - The company's core JD Retail business achieved a 20.6% year-on-year revenue growth, with an operating margin of 4.5%, marking a historic high [3][23] - JD Food Delivery showed significant growth, with daily order volume exceeding 25 million during the JD 618 Grand Promotion [14] Financial Performance - Net income attributable to ordinary shareholders for Q2 2025 was RMB 6.2 billion (US$ 0.9 billion), down from RMB 12.6 billion in Q2 2024 [10][25] - Non-GAAP net income attributable to ordinary shareholders was RMB 7.4 billion (US$ 1.0 billion) for Q2 2025, compared to RMB 14.5 billion for Q2 2024 [10][25] - Diluted net income per ADS was RMB 4.15 (US$ 0.58) for Q2 2025, a decrease from RMB 8.19 in Q2 2024 [10][26] Business Segments - JD Retail generated net revenues of RMB 310.1 billion (US$ 43.3 billion) in Q2 2025, with an income from operations of RMB 13.9 billion (US$ 1.9 billion) [10][23] - JD Logistics reported net revenues of RMB 51.6 billion (US$ 7.2 billion) for Q2 2025, reflecting a 16.6% year-on-year increase [32] - New Businesses, including JD Food Delivery, saw a remarkable 198.8% year-on-year revenue growth in Q2 2025 [32] Cost and Expenses - Cost of revenues increased by 22.2% to RMB 300.0 billion (US$ 41.9 billion) for Q2 2025 [17] - Fulfillment expenses rose by 28.6% to RMB 22.1 billion (US$ 3.1 billion) for Q2 2025, representing 6.2% of net revenues [18] - Marketing expenses surged by 127.6% to RMB 27.0 billion (US$ 3.8 billion) for Q2 2025, accounting for 7.6% of net revenues [19] Share Repurchase Program - The company repurchased approximately 80.7 million Class A ordinary shares for about US$ 1.5 billion during the first half of 2025 [4][5] - As of the announcement date, the remaining amount under the share repurchase program was US$ 3.5 billion [4] Strategic Initiatives - JD.com launched the "One Step Ahead – Accelerated Upgrade Program" for 3C electronics to enhance user experience and drive sales [7] - JD Logistics expanded its global warehousing capabilities, opening new warehouses in multiple countries, including the US and UK [11] - JD Health strengthened its position as an online marketplace for new and specialty medicine launches in China [13]

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - The conference call discusses the China Internet sector, particularly focusing on mega-cap companies and their upcoming Q2 earnings reports. - It is anticipated that aggregate profits for the China Internet sector will decline by 10% year-over-year (YoY) for the first time since Q2 2022, primarily due to challenges in eCommerce and local services [1][1]. Core Insights and Arguments 1. **AI and Cloud Revenue Growth**: - There is an expected sequential acceleration in AI/cloud hyperscaler revenue growth, with Alibaba Cloud projected to grow by 23% YoY, up from 18% in the previous quarter. This growth is attributed to rising demand for AI inference and applications [1][1]. - Comparatively, other cloud services like Google Cloud, Azure, and AWS are expected to grow by 32%, 39%, and 17% respectively during the same period [1][1]. 2. **Profit Declines in Transaction Platforms**: - Significant profit declines are anticipated across major transaction platforms, with Alibaba's EBITA expected to drop by 16% YoY, and Meituan and JD projected to see declines of 58-70% YoY due to increased competition in food delivery and merchant support measures [1][1]. - In contrast, sub-segments such as gaming and mobility are expected to show healthy profit growth, with Tencent's adjusted EBIT growth estimated at 15% YoY [1][1]. 3. **Government Policies and Competition**: - The intensity of food delivery competition is expected to peak in Q3, with a potential for a more fragmented market in the long term. ECommerce players are positioning food delivery as a customer acquisition channel [1][1]. - The report suggests that while competition may moderate in the near term, it will likely extend longer than anticipated, affecting the overall landscape of food delivery services [1][1]. 4. **Company-Specific Expectations**: - **Tencent**: Expected to report Q2 revenue growth of 11% YoY, with adjusted EBIT growth of 15% YoY, driven by solid performance in games and marketing services [1][1]. - **Alibaba**: Anticipated to see a 3% YoY revenue increase in Q1 FY26, with a significant decline in adjusted EBITA by 16% YoY due to investments in food delivery and instant shopping [1][1]. - **PDD**: Projected revenue growth of 11% YoY in Q2, but adjusted EBIT is expected to decline by 38% YoY [1][1]. - **Meituan**: Expected to report a 16% YoY revenue increase, but adjusted EBIT is projected to decline by 58% YoY due to competitive pressures [1][1]. - **JD**: Anticipated revenue growth of 16% YoY, but adjusted EBIT is expected to decline by 70% YoY [1][1]. - **DiDi**: Expected to see revenue growth of 8% YoY, with adjusted EBIT growth of 32% YoY, driven by operational leverage [1][1]. Other Important Insights - The report highlights the ongoing competition in eCommerce, particularly in food delivery and on-demand shopping, with Alibaba's instant shopping volumes reaching 15 million daily [1][1]. - Geopolitical developments and their implications on cross-border business models are also discussed, particularly in light of expanded tariffs and potential delisting risks for ADR companies [1][1]. - The report emphasizes the importance of AI investments and the expected increase in capital expenditures for AI applications in the second half of 2025 [1][1]. This summary encapsulates the key points discussed in the conference call, providing insights into the current state and future outlook of the China Internet sector and its major players.

Group 1 - JD reported strong performance in its e-Commerce core business, beating both top and bottom line estimates for the first fiscal quarter [1] - The company's core JD Retail business showed particularly strong results [1]

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for JD.com Inc. with target prices of US$50 and HK$194, indicating a potential upside of 39.9% and 43.3% respectively [2][28]. Core Insights - JD.com is viewed as an under-appreciated differentiated business in the Chinese internet sector, benefiting from domestic consumption policies and category expansion, which are expected to drive valuation multiple expansion [2]. - The company reported its fastest quarterly active customer growth since 2021, achieving a 20% year-over-year increase in 1Q25, with strong double-digit growth across all categories [1]. - JD's food delivery service is seen as a synergistic extension of its retail business, with daily order volumes nearing 20 million, contributing to increased user engagement and retention [1][11]. - The company is committed to shareholder returns, having executed a cumulative US$1.5 billion in share repurchases year-to-date 2025, with an additional US$3.5 billion available under its three-year repurchase program [1][10]. Summary by Sections JD Retail Growth - JD Retail experienced a 20% year-over-year growth in active customers in 1Q25, with expectations for double-digit top line and profit growth throughout the year [1]. - The company anticipates a healthy trend during the 618 shopping festival while maintaining disciplined spending [1]. Food Delivery Business - JD views its food delivery service as integral to its retail strategy, enhancing user frequency and attracting new customers [1]. - The company aims to differentiate its food delivery service through quality offerings, rider benefits, and lower merchant charges, leveraging its logistics expertise [1][11]. Shareholder Returns - JD.com has executed a cumulative US$1.5 billion in share repurchases in 2025, with a remaining US$3.5 billion available until August 2027 [1][10].