4Q25 net profit rose 63% yoy and full-year earnings were well ahead of Waterdrop’s guidance and 21% above our expectation. The earnings beat was mainly driven by a core insurance revenue growth of 125% yoy and a one-off tax benefit of Rmb41.7m, partly offset by a 1.8ppt yoy operating margin compression. Management expects double-digit revenue and earnings growth in 2026 and aims to strike a balance between growth and margin discipline. Maintain BUY with a higher target price of US$2.95.
Top Stories Company Results | China Mengniu Dairy (2319 HK/BUY/HK$16.32/Target: HK$23.20) Mengniu’s 2025 core net profit was Rmb3,960m (-11% yoy). Ytd, liquid milk revenue has achieved high single-digit growth, driven by increases in both volume and price. For 2026, management has prioritised revenue growth, targeting mid-single-digit growth, and it also aims to maintain a stable or slightly improved operating margin. It has introduced a three-year shareholder return plan (2025-27), targeting s...
Greater China Company Results | China Mengniu Dairy (2319 HK/BUY/HK$16.32/Target: HK$23.20) Mengniu’s 2025 core net profit was Rmb3,960m (-11% yoy). Ytd, liquid milk revenue has achieved high single-digit growth, driven by increases in both volume and price. For 2026, management has prioritised revenue growth, targeting mid-single-digit growth, and it also aims to maintain a stable or slightly improved operating margin. It has introduced a three-year shareholder return plan (2025-27), targeting ...
Waterdrop’s 3Q25 net profit grew notably by 60% yoy, well ahead of company guidance. This was mainly driven by strong FYP growth (+108% yoy) on larger investments in customer acquisition and operating efficiency gains. Management highlighted that the deployment of AI has helped to improve its marketing efficiency and preserve its profitability. Management reiterated confidence in beating the 2025 guidance of over 20% yoy growth in both revenue and net profit. Maintain BUY with an unchanged targe...
Top Stories Strategy | Alpha Picks: December Conviction Calls Market consolidation slowed in November as expectations of a 25bp Fed cut buoyed sentiment. The HSI and MSCI China fell 0.2% and 2.4% mom respectively amid weak data and limited catalysts. While the upcoming Economic Work Conference may offer a catalyst to end this phase, we remain cautious, preferring defensives and oversold names. We add BeOne Medicines, HKEX, NetEase and Plover Bay to BUY, take profit on AIA, and cut losses on Jac...
Greater China Strategy | Alpha Picks: December Conviction Calls Market consolidation slowed in November as expectations of a 25bp Fed cut improved sentiment. The HSI and MSCI China fell 0.2% and 2.4% mom amid weak data and limited catalysts. While the upcoming Economic Work Conference may offer a catalyst to end this phase, we remain cautious, preferring defensives and oversold names. We add BeOne Medicines, HKEX, NetEase and Plover Bay to BUY, take profit on AIA, and cut losses on Jacobson,...
Waterdrop’s revenue and earnings growth accelerated to 23.9% and 58.7% yoy, both ahead of our estimates. This was mainly driven by strong FYP growth and improved operating efficiency despite increased distribution investments. Reflecting its solid fundamentals, management raised the dividend by 50% and set a 20% net profit growth target for 2025. In line with this, we have revised up our 2025 earnings forecast by 52%. We maintain BUY with a higher target price of US$2.91.
Top Stories Initiation Coverage | Metasurface Technologies Holdings (8637 HK/BUY/HK1.48/Target: HK2.90) Metasurface is set to benefit from robust investment in the semi supply chain. As chip fabrication grows in complexity, more time is required to fabricate wafers and more wafer fabrication equipment is needed. Aerospace engineering is set to drive long-term growth as airline capacity continues to face shortages, forcing airlines to rely on their existing fleets and bolstering demand for MRO s...
Greater China Initiation Coverage | Metasurface Technologies Holdings (8637 HK/BUY/HK1.48/Target: HK2.90) Metasurface is set to benefit from robust investment in the semi supply chain. As chip fabrication grows in complexity, more time is required to fabricate wafers and more wafer fabrication equipment is needed. Aerospace engineering is set to drive long-term growth as airline capacity continues to face shortages, forcing airlines to rely on their existing fleets and bo...
Waterdrop’s 1Q25 results exceeded our expectations, with net profit surging 34% yoy to Rmb108.2m, driven by an improved operating margin. FYP posted a strong growth of 19.3% yoy but insurance revenue rose only 8.4% yoy, due to a lower take-rate. Management reiterated its confidence in achieving the 20% revenue growth target and expects the revenue momentum to pick up in the coming quarters after increasing investments in client acquisitions. Maintain BUY with a higher target price of US$2.36.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS Results Huize Holding (HUIZ US/BUY/US$2.03/Target: US$3.50) Huize reported a non-GAAP net loss of Rmb10.9m in 1Q25, dragged by muted GWP and yoy operating margin compression. Nevertheless, sales momentum is expected to recover in the coming quarters, driven by its fast-growing international business and revival of insurance sales growth in mainland China. Management maintains its previous profit guidance, given the improving sales outlook and sequential efficiency gains powered ...
GREATER CHINA Results Huize Holding (HUIZ US/BUY/US$2.03/Target: US$3.50): 1Q25: Below expectations but inflection point is around the corner. Waterdrop Inc (WDH US/BUY/US$1.48/Target: US$2.36): 1Q25: Strong start; poised for accelerated revenue growth in coming quarters. MALAYSIA Sector Telecommunications: 1Q25 earnings down 3% yoy, broadly in line with expectations. Cost discipline and enterprise revenue growth defend earnings despite service revenue weakness. SINGAPORE Strategy Small-Mid Ca...
As a leading insurtech player in China with strong brand equity, Waterdrop has accumulated a sizeable user base and is well-positioned to unlock greater lifetime value for sustained growth. Leveraging its proprietary technology, the company aims to enhance operational efficiency and improve its overall margins. Downside risk appears limited, given its attractive valuation, increasing shareholder returns and solid net cash position. Initiate coverage with BUY and a target price of US$2.20.
GREATER CHINA Economics Money Supply: Credit demand remains subdued. Sector Update Consumer: The State Council issued a plan on special initiatives to boost consumption. Initiate Coverage Waterdrop Inc (WDH US/BUY/US$1.50/Target: US$2.20): From crowdfunding to insurtech leadership with differentiated business model. Results AIA Group (1299 HK/BUY/HK$61.25/Target: HK$93.00): 2024: VONB slightly below expectations; new US$1.6b buyback programme. Contemporary Amperex Technology (300750 CH/BUY/Rmb26...
As a leading insurtech player in China with strong brand equity, Waterdrop has accumulated a sizeable user base and is well-positioned to unlock greater lifetime value for sustained growth. Leveraging its proprietary technology, the company aims to enhance operational efficiency and improve its overall margins. Downside risk appears limited, given its attractive valuation, increasing shareholder returns and solid net cash position. Initiate coverage with a BUY and a target price of US$2.20. S...
What’s New: Tencent held a closed-door Weixin Open Class Pro event this year. We highlight some of the key metrics shared from segments including video accounts and mini games. We also updated our online game revenue estimates for 4Q23. Analysts: Jin Yoon
What’s New: We maintain our 4Q23 estimates as overall business could remain largely intact. In this note, we discuss key updates including near-term outlook for segments including games, ads, and business services. Analysts: Jin Yoon
On 25 Dec 23, NPPA issued the 11th batch of domestic Banhao with 105 approvals, higher than previous monthly batches’ average of 85. We see a softening tone from NPPA’s draft on online game policy restrictions on 23 Dec 23. However, the execution and impact of the new regulations are yet to be tracked. We are cautiously optimistic on the online game sector’s growth in 2024 with the changes in the regulatory environment. Maintain MARKET WEIGHT.
We expect resilient online games sector growth going into 2024, in view of a strong game grossing performance in 3Q23, solid game pipeline with multiple popular genres in 2024 as well as continuously favourable regulatory environment. We foresee ample monetisation opportunities from mini games and AIGC application. NetEase is our top pick given its strong position in the party games genre and margin improvement due to payment channel migration. Maintain MARKET WEIGHT.
GREATER CHINA Sector Internet: Strong pipeline in 2024; ample monetisation opportunities from party games. Shipping And Ports: Near-term outlook still subdued; trade volume likely to see a moderate pick-up in 2024. Maintain MARKET WEIGHT. Top pick: CSP (1199 HK/BUY/Target: HK$6.42). INDONESIA Update XL Axiata (EXCL IJ/BUY/Rp2,140/Target: Rp2,500): Fixed broadband subscriber numbers might surge 385% from the migration of LINK’s customers. Maintain BUY. MALAYSIA Results Gamuda (GAM MK/BUY/RM4.41...
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