What’s new: Baidu’s reported 1Q25 results that were above consensus and our expectations driven by AI Cloud. Baidu Core ad rev growth could be impacted by the continued restructuring of AI search. AI Cloud growth could remain resilient in 2Q. We maintain our PT at USD110. Analysts: Jin Yoon
Baidu’s 1Q25 earnings beat expectations. Revenue grew 3% yoy to Rmb32.5b, 5% better than consensus estimate. Gross margin dropped 5ppt yoy to 46.1%, below consensus expectation. Non-GAAP operating profit was Rmb5.3b, down 20% yoy, while non-GAAP operating profit margin came in at 16%. Non-GAAP net profit declined 8% yoy to Rmb6.5b, better than consensus estimate. Maintain HOLD with a slightly higher target price of HK$91.00 (US$101.00).
KEY HIGHLIGHTS Results Baidu Inc (9888 HK/HOLD/HK$86.10/Target: HK$91.00) Baidu’s 1Q25 earnings beat expectations. Revenue grew 3% yoy to Rmb32.5b, 5% better than consensus estimate. Gross margin dropped 5ppt yoy to 46.1%, below consensus expectation. Non-GAAP operating profit was Rmb5.3b, down 20% yoy, while non-GAAP operating profit margin came in at 16%. Non-GAAP net profit declined 8% yoy to Rmb6.5b, better than consensus estimate. Maintain HOLD with a slightly higher target price of HK$91...
Chinese internet companies’ share prices have dropped 10-30% mtd following the implementation of incremental tariffs from the US. Chinese internet companies have limited business exposure to the US except for PDD’s Temu. However, the 34% tariffs announced by China on all US imports could have potential implications for China mega-caps’ AI capex in relation to US chip imports. We prefer domestic-focused plays which stand to benefit from domestic policy stimuli, with Southbound inflow to be a key ...
Today, we are publishing the Mobility & Delivery section of our 26th Tech Infrastructure Quarterly Bible. The Tech Bible is a must-read for any tech investor, as it summarizes the quarterly earnings reports from the over 140 companies we track, providing an update on our key perspectives and convictions. Later this week we will publish sections on Memory, Semicap, Enterprise IT, PC. Ride-sharing bookings decelerated slightly but still posted robust double-digit growth, while delivery bookings a...
What’s new: Baidu’s reported 4Q24 top-line results that were largely in line with consensus and our expectations. Baidu Core ad rev growth could potentially bottom out in 4Q24 and recover throughout 2025 partly driven by monetization of gen-AI search ads. AI Cloud could remain resilient partly driven by demand for gen-AI related services. We maintain our PT at USD110. Analysts: Jin Yoon
Baidu’s 4Q24 earnings beat expectations. Revenue dipped 2% yoy to Rmb34.1b, in line with consensus estimate. Gross margin inched down 3ppt yoy to 47.2%, within consensus expectation. Non-GAAP operating profit was Rmb5b, down 29% yoy, while non-GAAP operating profit margin came in at 15%. Non-GAAP net profit plummeted 13% yoy to Rmb6.7b, albeit surpassing consensus estimate by 39%. Maintain HOLD with an unchanged target price of HK$93.00 (US$103.00).
KEY HIGHLIGHTS Results Baidu Inc (9888 HK/HOLD/HK$90.20/Target: HK$93.00) Baidu’s 4Q24 earnings beat expectations. Revenue dipped 2% yoy to Rmb34.1b, in line with consensus estimate. Gross margin inched down 3ppt yoy to 47.2%, within consensus expectation. Non-GAAP operating profit was Rmb5b, down 29% yoy, while non-GAAP operating profit margin came in at 15%. Non-GAAP net profit plummeted 13% yoy to Rmb6.7b, albeit surpassing consensus estimate by 39%. Maintain HOLD with an unchanged target p...
Amid geopolitical uncertainties, the emergence of DeepSeek models have ignited a major AI industry shake-up, garnered investor attention and drawn wide developer interest in the Chinese AI industry as it lowers the technical and financial barriers in deploying LLM. An increasing number of global hyperscalers and application companies have facilitated the deployment of DeepSeek and Qwen models, further expanding their accessibility and adoption. Maintain MARKET WEIGHT.
Baidu’s 4Q24 results will be released on 18 Feb 25. We forecast 4Q24 revenue dropping 4% yoy, mainly dampened by a subdued macro backdrop. Management expects online ad revenue to drop at a high single digit yoy in 4Q24, deepening the decline from 3Q24. However, AI Cloud revenue growth is guided to ramp up in 4Q24 and maintain its double-digit growth in 2025, with GenAI now accounting for 11% of cloud revenue. Maintain HOLD with a lower target price of HK$80.00 (US$89.00).
KEY HIGHLIGHTS Sector Aviation: Airlines Based on their preliminary earnings estimates, all three airlines remained in a loss-making position for 2024. This is below our expectations as we were expecting Air China and CSA to record slight profits. The losses were likely due to the sector’s overcapacity situation, but we remain hopeful for the sector’s turnaround in 2025 helped by further demand growth. Having said that, a moderate earnings recovery is not enough to resolve the airlines’ balanc...
What’s New: We nudge down our 4Q24 and 1Q25 Baidu Core non-GAAP OPM estimates partly to reflect the impairment losses related to JIDU in 4Q and potential investments in user acquisitions related to search and other consumer-facing related products in 1Q. Analysts: Jin Yoon
We saw largely in-line top-line growth across companies in 3Q24, mainly pressured by a lukewarm macro environment, but with earnings beat thanks to enhanced efficiency from AI integration. Alongside pending visibility on further domestic supportive policies, we believe the key 2025 highlights are: a) re-acceleration of e-commerce GMV growth, b) potential upside in ad take rate monetisation, c) rejuvenation of online games grossing, and d) sustained travel enthusiasm. Maintain MARKET WEIGHT.
What’s new: Baidu’s reported 3Q24 top-line results that were largely in line with consensus and our expectations. Baidu Core ads could remain challenging in 4Q partly due to macro and limited monetization related to gen-AI search. AI Cloud rev growth could accelerate in 4Q partly driven by gen-AI related revs. We lower our PT from USD130 to USD110 amid lowered outlook. Our updated PT of USD110 implies 10.6x FY25E P/E. We maintain our BUY rating. Analysts: Jin Yoon
Baidu’s 3Q24 results came in below expectations. Revenue grew 3% yoy to Rmb33.6b, in line with consensus estimate. Gross margin inched down 2ppt yoy to 51.1%, within consensus expectation. Non-GAAP operating profit was Rmb7b, down 8% yoy, while non-GAAP operating profit margin came in at 21%. Non-GAAP net profit plummeted 19% yoy to Rmb5.9b, missing consensus estimate by 6%. Maintain HOLD with an unchanged target price of HK$90.00 (US$100.00).
KEY HIGHLIGHTS Sector Automobile China’s PV insurance registrations grew 29% yoy, 15% mom and 14% wow during 11-17 Nov 24. PEV market share dipped 2.6ppt wow to 51.5%. BYD's price cuts aim to boost sales but risk pressuring 4Q24 margins. The NDRC indicated support for ICE-cars, the first time in recent years. The Guangzhou Auto Show highlighted record-breaking figures and new trends in technology, models and pricing. Maintain MARKET WEIGHT. Top BUYs: Geely, Fuyao, and Desay SV. IT Hardware Co...
Lately, internet companies convened their respective AI conferences, unveiling a wide range of upgraded AI products that showcase their AI infrastructure development and AI monetisation potential. We opine that the prevailing trend in adtech upgrades focuses on enhancing marketing efficiency and driving GMV growth, resulting in monetisation improvement. We remain optimistic in view of the favourable regulatory environment and industry development. Maintain MARKET WEIGHT.
The key concerns of investors include the sustainability of the recent rally and potential fundamental changes upon policy rollout. We think a valuation repair is underway with the upcoming 11.11 campaign and 3Q/4Q24 results release as a critical juncture. Investors are also becoming increasingly optimistic on mega-cap names such as Tencent, Meituan, Alibaba and JD in view of a favourable regulatory backdrop and stabilised competitive environment. Maintain MARKET WEIGHT.
In view of a stronger-than-expected government policy rollout, we reckon that the improved consumption sentiment will benefit e-commerce, local life services and OTA companies. In 2H24, we expect the undemanding valuations of internet companies to be repaired by shareholder returns, cross-border expansion and easing competition. Meanwhile, we believe monetisation momentum will be fuelled by AIGC development and adtech upgrades. Maintain MARKET WEIGHT.
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