March 17th, 2026

The call presented a broadly positive operational and financial picture: double-digit revenue growth across both quarter and full year, margin expansion, strong net profit gains, successful scaling of SVIP membership (>20 million) and notable traction in non-subscription monetization (live events, merchandise, advertising). Management also highlighted significant AI adoption and creator platform scale. Key risks were acknowledged — short-term subscription pressure from competition, AI-driven content and copyright challenges, a very high Q4 effective tax rate, a modest decline in social entertainment revenue, and reduced quarterly disclosure of some operating metrics. On balance, the company demonstrated solid growth and profitability momentum while transparently outlining the main near-term challenges and strategic responses.

Company Guidance

Guidance: management said it will continue investing in content and technology while focusing on IP development, but expects 2026 gross profit margin to be roughly flat-to-slightly below 2025’s 44.2% (Q4: 44.7%), with operating profit margin and overall net-profit margin broadly similar to 2025 (though possibly a bit lower), and that subscription revenue may face short‑term pressure amid competition even as non‑subscription lines (ads, live events, merchandise) keep scaling; they highlighted strategic levers including the >20 million SVIP base, the AD‑supported plan piloted in late 2025, continued ROI‑focused marketing, a combined cash balance of ~RMB38.0 billion, and a declared 2025 dividend of USD0.24 per ADS (~USD368 million) to be paid in Q2 2026, and said certain operating metrics will no longer be disclosed quarterly (total paying users will be reported annually as of year‑end).