Jefferies has increased its price target for NetEase.com (NASDAQ: NASDAQ:NTES) to $216 from the previous $129 while reaffirming its Buy rating on the stock. The revision reflects an anticipation of revenue growth and positive trends in the company's online gaming sector.
According to the firm's analysis, NetEase is expected to report approximately 7% year-over-year growth in total revenue for the second quarter, reaching RMB 25.6 billion.
This includes an estimated 5% year-over-year increase in online games revenue, which is projected to hit RMB 18.2 billion. The analysis indicates a sequential softness in certain games like Eggy Party and Justice Mobile, based on iOS game-grossing trends.
For the non-GAAP net income, Jefferies estimates a figure of RMB 7.4 billion for NetEase, clarifying that these projections do not account for other income such as foreign exchange in non-operating items. The firm's outlook remains positive despite acknowledging some softness in specific gaming titles.
Looking ahead to the third quarter, Jefferies forecasts sequential growth for NetEase, driven by the expected release of Naraka: Bladepoint mobile and the typically positive seasonality during the summer vacation period. This anticipated performance underpins the firm's decision to maintain its Buy rating.
The analysis also mentions a slight adjustment to the price target in a dual currency format, lowering it to $126 from $129 and HKD 197 from HKD 202. This change is attributed to the latest business trends, including the delay of the game Where Winds Meet. Despite these adjustments, Jefferies' stance on NetEase's stock remains optimistic, factoring in the company's recent performance and near-term prospects.
In other recent news, NetEase, a leading Chinese internet technology company, reported a strong financial performance for the first quarter of 2024 with net revenues reaching RMB26.9 billion, a 7.2% increase from the same period last year. This growth was propelled by the company's diverse gaming portfolio, including long-standing and new titles, as well as its Youdao (NYSE:DAO) and Cloud Music segments.
Citi, despite lowering its price target for NetEase from $123.00 to $116.00, maintains a Buy rating for the company's shares, anticipating a return to normal in the first quarter of 2025 after a predicted decline in PC games revenue.
Barclays initiated coverage on NetEase stock, assigning an equal weight rating and a price target of $104.00, highlighting the company's substantial financial growth and effective expansion of profit margins. Benchmark, CFRA, and BofA Securities have maintained a Buy rating on NetEase, with price targets of $145, $130, and $142 respectively, following the company's robust Q1 results.
InvestingPro Insights
In light of Jefferies' updated price target for NetEase (NASDAQ:NTES), current data from InvestingPro provides further context for investors. NetEase is trading at a low P/E ratio of 14.4, suggesting it may be undervalued relative to near-term earnings growth. This aligns with Jefferies' positive outlook on the stock. Additionally, NetEase's revenue growth over the last twelve months was 7.44%, which supports the forecasted 7% year-over-year growth for the second quarter. The company's strong gross profit margin at 61.92% further reflects its operational efficiency.
InvestingPro Tips highlight NetEase's financial health, noting that the company holds more cash than debt and that its cash flows can sufficiently cover interest payments. These are critical factors for investors considering the stability of their investment during market fluctuations. For those interested in dividend stocks, it's worth noting that NetEase has maintained dividend payments for 12 consecutive years, with a current dividend yield of 2.87%.
For a deeper dive into NetEase's financials and additional insights, there are 9 more InvestingPro Tips available, offering a comprehensive analysis of the company's long-term profitability and market position. Access these insights at https://www.investing.com/pro/NTES to inform your investment decisions.
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