Core Viewpoint - The company reported strong revenue growth in Q2 2025, primarily driven by online music services, despite declines in social entertainment and other service revenues [1][2]. Group 1: Financial Performance - Q2 2025 revenue reached 8.44 billion yuan, representing a year-over-year increase of 17.9% and a quarter-over-quarter increase of 14.8% [1]. - Q2 2025 gross margin was 44.4%, up 2.4 percentage points year-over-year and 0.3 percentage points quarter-over-quarter [1]. - Q2 2025 net profit attributable to shareholders (IFRS) was 2.41 billion yuan, a year-over-year increase of 43.2% but a quarter-over-quarter decrease of 43.9% [1]. - Adjusted net profit (Non-IFRS) for Q2 2025 was 2.57 billion yuan, up 37.4% year-over-year and 21.2% quarter-over-quarter [1]. - For Q3 2025, the company expects revenue to reach 8.26 billion yuan, a year-over-year increase of 17.7% but a quarter-over-quarter decrease of 2.2% [1]. Group 2: Online Music Segment - Q2 2025 online music revenue was 6.85 billion yuan, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 26.4% and a quarter-over-quarter increase of 18.1% [2]. - The company anticipates Q3 2025 online music revenue to be 6.75 billion yuan, a year-over-year increase of 23.2% but a quarter-over-quarter decrease of 1.5% [2]. - Q2 2025 monthly active users (MAU) for online music were 553 million, down 3.2% year-over-year and 0.4% quarter-over-quarter [2]. - Q2 2025 average revenue per paying user (ARPPU) was 11.7 yuan per month, up 9.3% year-over-year and 2.6% quarter-over-quarter [2]. Group 3: Social Entertainment Segment - Q2 2025 social entertainment revenue was 1.59 billion yuan, down 8.5% year-over-year but up 2.3% quarter-over-quarter [2]. - The company expects Q3 2025 social entertainment revenue to decline to 1.51 billion yuan, a year-over-year decrease of 1.9% and a quarter-over-quarter decrease of 5.2% [2]. Group 4: Future Outlook - The company projects net profits for 2025, 2026, and 2027 to be 11.6 billion, 11.1 billion, and 12.8 billion yuan respectively, with upward revisions based on increased music subscription rates [3]. - A target price of 112.8 HKD (102.6 CNY) is set for 2026, based on a P/E ratio of 29 times [3].

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for Tencent Music [5] Core Views - The growth of online music paid users and ARPPU is expected to drive an increase in online music revenue, leading to improved profit margins. The forecasted net profit for 2025-2027 is adjusted to 11.6 billion, 11.1 billion, and 12.8 billion yuan respectively, up from previous estimates due to higher music membership payment rates and adjustments in social entertainment revenue [2] - The target price is set at 112.8 HKD (102.6 RMB) based on a P/E ratio of 29 times for 2026 [2] Financial Performance Summary - For 2023A, the total revenue is projected at 27.75 billion yuan, with a year-on-year decline of 2.1%. Revenue is expected to grow to 32.62 billion yuan in 2025E, reflecting a 14.8% increase [3][11] - The operating profit for 2023A is 4.78 billion yuan, with a significant year-on-year growth of 48.5%. It is expected to reach 9.83 billion yuan by 2025E, a 33.7% increase [3][11] - The net profit attributable to the parent company for 2023A is 4.92 billion yuan, with a year-on-year growth of 33.8%. The forecast for 2025E is 11.55 billion yuan, representing a 73.9% increase [3][11] - The gross margin is expected to improve from 35.3% in 2023A to 44.4% in 2025E, while the net margin is projected to rise from 17.7% to 35.4% over the same period [3][11] - The report anticipates a rise in online music revenue to 68.5 billion yuan in Q2 2025, a year-on-year increase of 26.4% [8] - The average revenue per paying user (ARPPU) is expected to increase to 11.9 yuan per month in Q3 2025, up from 11.7 yuan in Q2 2025 [8]

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for Tencent Music (TME.US/1698.HK) with a target price of $18 or HKD 70, indicating a potential upside of 26% and 28% respectively from current prices [3][5][7]. Core Insights - The company's revenue for Q1 2025 reached RMB 73.6 billion, a year-on-year increase of 8.7%, slightly above market expectations. The adjusted net profit was RMB 21.2 billion, exceeding market expectations by 5.1% [1][3]. - Online music service revenue grew by 16.1% year-on-year, driven by subscription and advertising revenue growth. The music subscription ARPPU reached RMB 11.4, surpassing expectations due to a reduction in discounts for regular members and strong performance from SVIP subscriptions [2][3]. - The report anticipates that ARPPU will become the main driver of music subscription revenue growth in the coming years, with projections of RMB 11.6 in Q2 2025 and RMB 12.1 by Q4 2025 [2]. Financial Projections - The report slightly raises revenue forecasts for FY25E and FY26E by 1% and 0% respectively, and adjusts the net profit forecasts upward by 3% and 1% [3]. - Financial metrics for FY25E include expected revenue of RMB 31.16 billion, operating profit of RMB 12.79 billion, and adjusted net profit of RMB 8.90 billion [4][10]. Market Performance - The current stock price for Tencent Music is $14.33, with a 52-week price range of $9.41 to $15.77, and a total market capitalization of $24.59 billion [5][6]. - The report indicates a strong market position for Tencent Music, supported by its leading industry status and growth in subscription services [3][4].

Core Viewpoint - Tencent Music's Q1 2025 earnings report reflects a mixed performance amid a challenging competitive landscape, with a focus on long-term growth strategies and user engagement [1][11]. Membership Subscription: More Focused and Specialized - As of Q1, Tencent Music's paid penetration rate reached 22%, continuing to improve from the previous quarter, nearing 90% of its long-term video subscription target set three years ago [1]. - The increase in average revenue per user (ARPU) is attributed to a strategy targeting core heavy users and enhancing SVIP conversion rates, despite a general slowdown in subscription growth [2][4]. - The company is adjusting its volume and pricing strategies dynamically to maintain its leading market position [1]. Advertising and Digital Album Sales - Advertising revenue showed steady growth in Q1, supported by improved inventory management, while digital album sales remain volatile, heavily influenced by the release schedules of popular artists [7]. - The overall revenue from online music, including advertising and digital album sales, is expected to fluctuate based on market conditions and artist releases [7]. Financial Performance Overview - Total revenues for Q1 2025 were CNY 67.68 million, reflecting a year-over-year decline of 3.4%, but slightly beating consensus estimates by 1.15% [9]. - Gross profit for the same period was CNY 27.71 million, with a gross profit margin (GPM) of 40.9%, indicating a slight improvement from previous quarters [9]. - Non-IFRS net income was reported at CNY 18.12 million, exceeding expectations by 7.86% [9]. User Metrics and Trends - The number of paying users for online music reached approximately 11.35 million, with a net addition of 680,000 users in Q1 [9]. - Monthly ARPPU for online music was CNY 10.6, slightly above consensus estimates, indicating a positive trend in user monetization [9].

Core Viewpoint - Tencent Music (NYSE: TME) continues to show a trend of fundamental divergence, with strong growth in online music services offset by weakness in social entertainment, leading to a cautious outlook on the stock [1] Group 1: Financial Performance - Music subscription revenue increased by 18% year-on-year to RMB 4.03 billion, driven by a 13% growth in paid user numbers and gradual ARPU improvement [2] - Social entertainment revenue declined by 13% year-on-year to RMB 1.6 billion due to adjustments in live interaction features and stricter compliance procedures [2] - Projected revenue for 2026 is expected to reach RMB 29.33 billion, with a target multiple of 5.0x, resulting in an implied value of approximately USD 13 per share, reflecting a 10% downside from current levels [5][6] Group 2: User Engagement and Content Strategy - Tencent Music is enhancing platform stickiness to support future ARPU growth, expanding its content library through partnerships with SM Entertainment and Kakao Entertainment [3] - The company is investing in application optimization and AI-driven recommendations, resulting in a 10% increase in user playlists and improved sound quality [3] - SVIP membership numbers are steadily increasing, with enhanced features like high-definition online concerts and an expanded digital library attracting more users [3][4] Group 3: Market Outlook and Valuation - Given the structural decline in social entertainment, Tencent Music's valuation should be based solely on its music subscription and advertising business [4] - Future growth expectations include an 11% CAGR in paid users and a 5% CAGR in ARPU over the next two years, with advertising revenue expected to grow at a 15% CAGR [4][6] - The company is also exploring partnerships for in-car music services, which could drive user growth as the automotive market shifts towards high-tech electric vehicles [4]