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BOSS ZHIPIN(BZ) - 2024 Q4 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-03-11 17:49

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q4 2024, the company achieved GAAP revenue of RMB 1.82 billion, up 15% year-on-year [7] - For the full year 2024, GAAP revenue reached RMB 7.36 billion, reflecting a 24% year-on-year increase [8] - Adjusted net income for Q4 was RMB 720 million, a 15% increase year-on-year, while for the full year it was RMB 2.71 billion, up 26% year-on-year [8][37] - Adjusted operating income for the full year was RMB 2.32 billion, rising by 41% year-on-year [9] - The adjusted operating margin for Q4 reached a historical high of 36.1% [32] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Average verified monthly active users (MAU) on the BOSS Zhipin app increased by 28% year-on-year to 52.7 million in Q4 [7] - The number of paid enterprise customers reached 6.1 million, marking a 17% year-on-year growth [31] - Revenue contribution from blue-collar segments rose to 38% in 2024, with the manufacturing sector showing the fastest growth [13] - The average revenue per paying user (ARPPU) grew by 6.8% year-on-year in Q4 [31] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The recruitment market showed signs of stabilization towards the end of 2024, with a significant increase in active job postings post-Chinese New Year [26][63] - The job seeker to enterprise user ratio among new users improved compared to the same period last year [27] - AI-related job postings surged by over 60% year-on-year, indicating a revitalizing ecosystem for emerging business [28] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on enhancing user experience through continuous product and service optimization, particularly targeting blue-collar workers and micro/small enterprises [15] - There is an emphasis on AI applications, with ongoing development of AI-powered tools for both job seekers and recruiters [19][22] - The company plans to explore closed-loop services and placement-related services to further enhance its offerings [17][78] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that despite macroeconomic challenges, the user growth-driven revenue model remains effective [11] - The recruitment spending is expected to show an upswing trajectory post-Chinese New Year, with projected revenues for Q1 2025 between RMB 1.9 billion and RMB 1.92 billion [40] - Management expressed confidence in long-term growth, supported by robust cash reserves and operating cash flows [38][39] Other Important Information - The company repurchased approximately $229 million worth of shares in 2024, accounting for 3.7% of total outstanding shares [29] - Share-based compensation expenses as a percentage of revenue decreased by 2.3 percentage points compared to 2023 [9] Q&A Session Summary Question: Impact of AI boom driven by DeepSeek on online recruitment industry - Management noted a surge in AI-related job postings and active searches, indicating a significant shift in recruitment dynamics [46][47] - Concerns were raised about the potential pollution of resumes and job descriptions due to AI-generated content [50][51] Question: Recruitment demand between different enterprise sizes and industries - Management highlighted strong sequential growth in online active job postings, particularly in white-collar industries [63] - The overall cash inflow has shown an accelerating growth trend, indicating a recovery across various sectors [64] Question: Customer acquisition cost and marketing plans for 2025 - There are no major marketing campaigns planned for 2025, as the company is still in a fast user growth stage [72] - The traffic acquisition cost per user has decreased significantly due to improved brand awareness [72] Question: Revenue contribution and client feedback from blue-collar business - The Hailuo project has seen significant contract amounts and user engagement, indicating positive feedback and growth potential [76][78]