NetEase, inc. - NTES STOCK NEWS

On March 30, 2023, Cloud Music Inc. (HKEX: 9899), a top music streaming service in China, renewed its distribution agreement with Rock Records Co., Ltd., a major independent record label in Asia. This renewal grants Cloud Music rights to distribute Rock Records' entire music catalog, including future releases. The partnership aims to enhance artist promotion and explore copyright cooperation, allowing sublicensing for various multimedia uses. Rock Records has a rich history in Mandopop and nurtures upcoming talent, further enriching Cloud Music's offerings, especially among younger audiences.

NetEase (NASDAQ: NTES) announced a fanfiction contest themed around its SLG game, The Lord of the Rings: Rise to War, on March 29, 2023. Participants can write stories about the character Mathom Peddler, with winners receiving round-trip tickets to Hobbiton in New Zealand or a $2,000 cash prize. The game, which is a real-time strategy title set in Middle-earth, allows players to engage with iconic characters and factions. Recognized for its quality, it received the Google Play 'Best of 2022' award. This initiative aims to boost player engagement while enhancing the game's community interaction.

NetEase announces a fanfiction contest for its game, The Lord of the Rings: Rise to War, offering winners round-trip tickets to Hobbiton in New Zealand or a $2,000 cash prize. This award-winning, real-time strategy game allows players to command heroes from Middle-earth, competing for land and the One Ring. Contestants will write stories centered on Mathom Peddler, linked to Mathom House, a pivotal location in the lore. The game, recognized as Google Play's Best of 2022, continues to engage players with seasonal gameplay choices and strategic alliances among various factions.

CliCli has launched its innovative game creation tool for alpha testing, aiming to simplify game development and enhance financial opportunities for developers. The platform features intuitive editing tools, distribution, customer support, and various monetization options, including Free-to-Play and subscriptions. At GDC 2023, CliCli will showcase its platform, offering creators a chance to participate in challenges and view exclusive game reveals. The company is supported by NetEase Games and aims to help independent developers overcome obstacles in game marketing and audience targeting.

NetEase (NASDAQ: NTES), a leading Chinese internet and online game services provider, is set to participate in the 2023 Game Developers Conference (GDC) from March 20-24, 2023, in San Francisco. Over 20 experts from NetEase Games will present more than 16 talks focusing on insights from popular titles like Harry Potter: Magic Awakened and Naraka: Bladepoint, highlighting advancements in machine learning and community management. The company will also showcase CliCli, an integrated game editor that streamlines game creation. This event aims to enhance collaboration and innovation within the gaming community.

Cloud Music Inc. (HKEX: 9899) reported strong financial results for FY 2022, with revenues reaching RMB 9.0 billion, a 28.5% increase from RMB 7.0 billion in 2021. Gross profit surged to RMB 1.3 billion, up from RMB 142.7 million, marking a gross margin improvement to 14.4%. The net loss narrowed to RMB 221.5 million from RMB 2.1 billion in the previous year. Monthly active users (MAUs) for its online music services grew to 189.4 million, while monthly paying users increased to 38.3 million. This growth is attributed to improved user experience and content offerings, despite industry challenges.

Youdao, Inc. (NYSE: DAO) reported its unaudited financial results for Q4 and FY 2022, highlighting strong growth across various segments. In Q4, total net revenues reached RMB1.5 billion (US$210.8 million), marking a 38.6% increase year-over-year. The learning services segment generated RMB806.3 million (US$116.9 million), up by 39.2%, while net revenues from smart devices rose to RMB407.0 million (US$59.0 million), up 28.1%. The company achieved a gross margin of 53.3%, compared to 42.5% in the same quarter of 2021. For FY 2022, total revenues were RMB5.0 billion (US$726.8 million), a 24.8% increase from 2021. Notably, Youdao reported its first income from operations in Q4, amounting to RMB24.7 million (US$3.6 million).

NetEase reported Q4 2022 net revenues of RMB25.4 billion (US$3.7 billion), reflecting a 4.0% increase year-over-year. Key highlights include:

• Games and related services generated RMB19.1 billion (US$2.8 billion), up 1.6% from Q4 2021.
• Youdao revenues rose 9.0% to RMB1.5 billion (US$210.8 million).
• Cloud Music net revenues increased 25.8% to RMB2.4 billion (US$344.5 million).
• Operating expenses grew to RMB8.8 billion (US$1.3 billion), marking a 6.0% rise.
• Net income attributable to shareholders was RMB4 billion (US$573.1 million).

NetEase aims to enhance product quality and expand global reach in 2023.

Cloud Music Inc., a prominent music streaming service in China, will disclose its fiscal year 2022 financial results on February 23, 2023, after the Hong Kong market closes. The company's earnings conference call is scheduled for 7:00 PM Beijing/Hong Kong Time on the same day. Investors can register for the call using the provided link. The call will also be available for replay until March 2, 2023. Launched by NetEase in 2013, Cloud Music focuses on user experience through personalized recommendations and community engagement, appealing especially to China's Generation Z music fans.