NetEase Announces First Quarter 2025 Unaudited Financial Results

NetEase, Inc., a leading internet and game services provider, today announced its unaudited financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025.

First Quarter 2025 Financial Highlights

• Net revenues were RMB28.8 billion (US$4.0 billion), an increase of 7.4% compared with the same quarter of 2024.

• Games and related value-added services net revenues were RMB24.0 billion (US$3.3 billion), an increase of 12.1% compared with the same quarter of 2024.

• Youdao net revenues were RMB1.3 billion (US$178.9 million), a decrease of 6.7% compared with the same quarter of 2024.

• NetEase Cloud Music net revenues were RMB1.9 billion (US$256.1 million), a decrease of 8.4% compared with the same quarter of 2024.

• Innovative businesses and others net revenues were RMB1.6 billion (US$223.8 million), a decrease of 17.6% compared with the same quarter of 2024.

• Gross profit was RMB18.5 billion (US$2.5 billion), an increase of 8.6% compared with the same quarter of 2024.

• Total operating expenses were RMB8.0 billion (US$1.1 billion), a decrease of 14.4% compared with the same quarter of 2024.

• Net income attributable to the Company's shareholders was RMB10.3 billion (US$1.4 billion). Non-GAAP net income attributable to the Company's shareholders was RMB11.2 billion (US$1.5 billion).[1]

• Basic net income per share was US$0.45 (US$2.24 per ADS). Non-GAAP basic net income per share was US$0.49 (US$2.44 per ADS).[1]

[1] As used in this announcement, non-GAAP net income attributable to the Company's shareholders and non-GAAP basic and diluted net income per share and per ADS are defined to exclude share-based compensation expenses. See the unaudited reconciliation of GAAP and non-GAAP results at the end of this announcement.

First Quarter 2025 and Recent Operational Highlights

• Success of recently released titles drove increased traction in the global game market and further diversified our portfolio across genres.

• Marvel Rivals topped Steam's global top sellers chart shortly after its Season 2 update in April 2025.

• Where Winds Meet has maintained strong popularity since its December 2024 launch, surpassing 30 million registered players as of March 2025.

• FragPunk's March 2025 launch ignited player enthusiasm, ranking No. 6 on Steam's global top sellers chart and amassing over 110,000 peak concurrent players in three days.

• Once Human mobile game quickly claimed the No.1 position on the iOS download charts in more than 160 regions upon its April 2025 launch, garnering significant global attention.

• Blizzard titles sustained robust momentum, with World of Warcraft and Hearthstone engaging local communities through customized regional events in China. Additionally, the return of Overwatch pushed its regional peak concurrent players in China to a new record high. With technical testing initiated on April 16, 2025, Diablo 3 is also on track for its return to China.

• Increased the popularity of established titles through targeted events and crossover synergies, including Fantasy Westward Journey Online and mobile game, Infinite Borders, Identity V, Eggy Party, Naraka: Bladepoint franchises and Justice franchises, highlighting NetEase's strength in long-term game operations.

• Strengthened global game pipeline with multiple new titles under development, including MARVEL Mystic Mayhem, Destiny: Rising and Ananta.

• Youdao remained committed to technology-driven innovation and profitability enhancement, achieving record-high first-quarter operating profit, maintaining the profitability momentum in previous quarters.

"We entered 2025 with solid momentum, fueled by our ongoing innovation and new titles that strengthen our reach across genres and resonate with players around the world," said Mr. William Ding, Chief Executive Officer and Director of NetEase. "In addition to the strong performance of our latest games, our long-standing franchises continue to thrive, powered by outstanding content updates and continuous gameplay enhancements that bring fresh takes to player experiences. As we reimagine new gaming possibilities, we remain rooted in innovation and long-term operations, partnering with top talent and strategic collaborators to deliver engaging experiences to players everywhere.

"Alongside our games, Youdao and our other businesses continued their healthy development in the first quarter, driven by the same commitment to high-quality, technology-driven innovation. We remain focused on deepening engagement and creating lasting value by finding ways to connect, entertain and serve our users both domestically and worldwide," Mr. Ding concluded.

First Quarter 2025 Financial Results

Net Revenues

Net revenues for the first quarter of 2025 were RMB28.8 billion (US$4.0 billion), compared with RMB26.7 billion and RMB26.9 billion for the preceding quarter and the same quarter of 2024, respectively.

Net revenues from games and related value-added services were RMB24.0 billion (US$3.3 billion) for the first quarter of 2025, compared with RMB21.2 billion and RMB21.5 billion for the preceding quarter and the same quarter of 2024, respectively. Net revenues from the operation of online games accounted for approximately 97.5% of the segment's net revenues for the first quarter of 2025, compared with 96.7% and 95.2% for the preceding quarter and the same quarter of 2024, respectively. The quarter-over-quarter increase was primarily due to increased online games net revenues, such as Identity V and certain newly launched titles including Where Winds Meet and Marvel Rivals. The year-over-year increase was primarily due to increased net revenues from Identity V, several newly launched titles, as well as certain licensed games.

Net revenues from Youdao were RMB1.3 billion (US$178.9 million) for the first quarter of 2025, compared with RMB1.3 billion and RMB1.4 billion for the preceding quarter and the same quarter of 2024, respectively. The year-over-year decrease was primarily due to a decrease in net revenues from its learning services as it continued to prioritize core services with strong long-term potential.

Net revenues from NetEase Cloud Music were RMB1.9 billion (US$256.1 million) for the first quarter of 2025, compared with RMB1.9 billion and RMB2.0 billion for the preceding quarter and the same quarter of 2024, respectively. The year-over-year decrease was primarily due to decreased net revenues from its social entertainment services.

Net revenues from innovative businesses and others were RMB1.6 billion (US$223.8 million) for the first quarter of 2025, compared with RMB2.3 billion and RMB2.0 billion for the preceding quarter and the same quarter of 2024, respectively. The quarter-over-quarter and year-over-year decreases were primarily due to decreased net revenues from Yanxuan, advertising services and certain other businesses in this segment.

Gross Profit

Gross profit for the first quarter of 2025 was RMB18.5 billion (US$2.5 billion), compared with RMB16.3 billion and RMB17.0 billion for the preceding quarter and the same quarter of 2024, respectively. The quarter-over-quarter and year-over-year increases were primarily due to increased net revenues from online games as mentioned above.

Operating Expenses

Total operating expenses for the first quarter of 2025 were RMB8.0 billion (US$1.1 billion), compared with RMB8.5 billion and RMB9.4 billion for the preceding quarter and the same quarter of 2024, respectively. The quarter-over-quarter decrease was mainly due to decreased research and development investments related to games and related value-added services and marketing expenditures related to innovative businesses and others. The year-over-year decrease was mainly due to decreased marketing expenditures related to games and related value-added services.

Other Income/(Expenses)

Other income/(expenses) consisted of investment income/(loss), interest income, net exchange gains and others. The quarter-over-quarter decrease was mainly due to decreased net exchange gains. The year-over-year increase was mainly due to lower investment impairment provisions incurred in the first quarter of 2025.

Income Tax

The Company recorded a net income tax charge of RMB1.9 billion (US$262.5 million) for the first quarter of 2025, compared with RMB1.4 billion and RMB1.5 billion for the preceding quarter and the same quarter of 2024, respectively. The effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2025 was 15.3%, compared with 13.4% and 16.0% for the preceding quarter and the same quarter of 2024, respectively. The effective tax rate represents certain estimates by the Company as to the tax obligations and benefits applicable to it in each quarter.

Net Income and Non-GAAP Net Income

Net income attributable to the Company's shareholders totaled RMB10.3 billion (US$1.4 billion) for the first quarter of 2025, compared with RMB8.8 billion and RMB7.6 billion for the preceding quarter and the same quarter of 2024, respectively.

Basic net income was US$0.45 per share (US$2.24 per ADS) for the first quarter of 2025, compared with US$0.38 per share (US$1.90 per ADS) and US$0.33 per share (US$1.64 per ADS) for the preceding quarter and the same quarter of 2024, respectively. 

Non-GAAP net income attributable to the Company's shareholders totaled RMB11.2 billion (US$1.5 billion) for the first quarter of 2025, compared with RMB9.7 billion and RMB8.5 billion for the preceding quarter and the same quarter of 2024, respectively.

Non-GAAP basic net income was US$0.49 per share (US$2.44 per ADS) for the first quarter of 2025, compared with US$0.42 per share (US$2.10 per ADS) and US$0.37 per share (US$1.83 per ADS) for the preceding quarter and the same quarter of 2024, respectively.

Other Financial Information

As of March 31, 2025, the Company's net cash (total cash and cash equivalents, current and non-current time deposits and restricted cash, as well as short-term investments balance, minus short-term and long-term loans) totaled RMB137.0 billion (US$18.9 billion), compared with RMB131.5 billion as of December 31, 2024. Net cash provided by operating activities was RMB12.1 billion (US$1.7 billion) for the first quarter of 2025, compared with RMB13.0 billion and RMB9.6 billion for the preceding quarter and the first quarter of 2024, respectively.

Quarterly Dividend

The board of directors approved a dividend of US$0.1350 per share (US$0.6750 per ADS) for the first quarter of 2025 to holders of ordinary shares and holders of ADSs as of the close of business on May 30, 2025, Beijing/Hong Kong Time and New York Time, respectively, payable in U.S. dollars. For holders of ordinary shares, in order to qualify for the dividend, all valid documents for the transfer of shares accompanied by the relevant share certificates must be lodged for registration with the Company's Hong Kong branch share registrar, Computershare Hong Kong Investor Services Limited, at Shops 1712-1716, 17th Floor, Hopewell Centre, 183 Queen's Road East, Wanchai, Hong Kong, no later than 4:30 p.m. on May 30, 2025 (Beijing/Hong Kong Time). The payment date is expected to be June 10, 2025, for holders of ordinary shares and on or around June 13, 2025, for holders of ADSs.

NetEase paid a dividend of US$0.24405 per share (US$1.22025 per ADS) for the fourth quarter of 2024 in March 2025.

Under the Company's current dividend policy, the determination to make dividend distributions and the amount of such distribution in any particular quarter will be made at the discretion of its board of directors and will be based upon the Company's operations and earnings, cash flow, financial condition and other relevant factors.

Share Repurchase Program

On November 17, 2022, the Company announced that its board of directors had approved a share repurchase program of up to US$5.0 billion of the Company's ADSs and ordinary shares in open market transactions. This share repurchase program commenced on January 10, 2023 and will be in effect for a period not to exceed 36 months from such date. As of March 31, 2025, approximately 21.6 million ADSs had been repurchased under this program for a total cost of US$1.9 billion.

The extent to which NetEase repurchases its ADSs and its ordinary shares depends upon a variety of factors, including market conditions. These programs may be suspended or discontinued at any time.

** The United States dollar (US$) amounts disclosed in this announcement are presented solely for the convenience of the reader. The percentages stated are calculated based on RMB. 

Please see full earnings release: 

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/netease-announces-first-quarter-2025-unaudited-financial-results-302456373.html

Source: NetEase, Inc.  May 15, 2025, 04:30 ET  Photo: China Daily