NetEase's core games business stays strong, but a Q2 profit miss and heavy spending spooked investors
Games revenue and margins keep climbing NetEase's core games business grew revenue about 10% year over year to RMB25 billion, and the gross margin jumped to 76.1% from 70.2% because it paid less to share revenue. That shows the games engine is still healthy and profitable, which supports the stock's value.
It shows the fundamental business is still growing and more profitable, the main reason to own the stock.
Q2 profit badly missed estimates Earnings per share came in at RMB12.02 versus the RMB15.54 analysts expected, and shares fell more than 5% premarket. Operating expenses rose to RMB9.1 billion on higher marketing, staff and research spending, so investors worried that costs are eating into profits.
The profit miss is the main new negative event that pushed the stock down this period.
Cash returned to shareholders and a huge net cash pile NetEase approved a dividend of USD0.48 per ADS and has bought back about 24.8 million ADS for USD2.3 billion under its USD5 billion program. It also holds RMB167.5 billion in net cash, which cushions the stock and signals confidence.
Buybacks and dividends put a floor under the share price and reward patient investors.
Investment losses dragged net income down Non-GAAP net income fell year over year mainly because of losses on NetEase's investments, not because the games business weakened. This is a real counterweight: headline profit looked worse even though the core operations were solid.
It explains why profit fell despite strong games, a key reason the market reacted negatively.