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Youdao Inc Adr Class A (DAO)
:DAO
US Market

Youdao (DAO) AI Stock Analysis

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Youdao

(NYSE:DAO)

Rating:60Neutral
Price Target:
$10.00
▲( 8.46% Upside)
Youdao's stock score reflects a mix of positive and negative factors. The company shows strong revenue growth and operational improvements, particularly in AI-driven segments. However, high leverage, cash flow issues, and valuation concerns weigh heavily. The earnings call showcased strategic advancements, but declining revenues and margins pose challenges. Technical analysis indicates a bullish trend, but caution is advised due to the high P/E ratio.

Youdao (DAO) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Youdao Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionYoudao, Inc., an internet technology company, provides online services in the field of content, community, communication, and commerce in China. It operates through three segments: Learning Services, Smart Devices, and Online Marketing Services. The company provides various learning content, applications, and solutions, which cover topics and target people from various age groups for their learning needs through its websites and mobile applications. It offers online knowledge tools, which include Youdao and other dictionaries and translation tools; learning services consisting of tutoring, fee-based premium, and other services; STEAM courses, adult and vocational courses, and other courses, such as China University MOOC; smart devices, such as Youdao Dictionary Pen, Youdao Listening Pod, Youdao Smart Lamp, Youdao Pocket Translator, and Youdao Super Dictionary; education digitalization solutions comprising technologies and solutions licensed to schools or enterprise customers, such as Youdao Smart Learning Terminal, and Youdao Smart Cloud; and online marketing services. In addition, the company provides online courses comprising Youdao Premium Courses and NetEase Cloud Classroom, as well as technical support to the variable interest entities (VIEs). Youdao, Inc. was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in Hangzhou, China. Youdao, Inc. is a subsidiary of NetEase, Inc.
How the Company Makes MoneyYoudao makes money through a diversified revenue model primarily centered around its online education services. Key revenue streams include the sale of Youdao Premium Courses, which are paid educational programs offering various subjects and skill development. The company also generates income through advertising services on its platforms and the sale of smart learning devices, such as electronic dictionaries and translation pens. Additionally, Youdao benefits from strategic partnerships with educational institutions and content creators to expand its offerings and user base.

Youdao Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Youdao shows a mixed financial performance with strengths in revenue growth and gross profitability, yet faces significant challenges in net profitability, leverage, and cash flow generation. While the operational improvements are promising, the negative equity and cash flow issues present potential risks that need addressing for long-term financial health.
Income Statement
65
Positive
Youdao has shown a consistent revenue growth over the years, with the most recent annual increase of 4.39% from 2023 to 2024. The gross profit margin for 2024 stands at 48.86%, indicating a healthy profitability at the gross level. However, despite improving from a net loss in previous years, the net profit margin is 1.46% in 2024, showing that profitability at the net level remains a challenge. The EBIT and EBITDA margins are low but show a positive trend, reflecting operational improvements.
Balance Sheet
50
Neutral
The company's balance sheet reflects high leverage, with a negative stockholders' equity of -$2.14 billion, resulting in an uncalculated debt-to-equity ratio. This indicates potential financial instability. The equity ratio is also negative due to the negative equity. Despite these concerns, the company has substantial cash reserves of $655.79 million, offering some liquidity cushion.
Cash Flow
40
Negative
The cash flow statement reveals challenges in cash generation, with operating cash flow and free cash flow both at $0 for 2024, indicating potential operational inefficiencies. Earlier years show negative free cash flow, highlighting consistent cash outflows. The lack of positive free cash flow growth and operating cash flow to net income ratio raises concerns about the company's ability to generate cash sustainably.
Breakdown
Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income StatementTotal Revenue
5.63B5.39B5.01B4.02B3.17B
Gross Profit
2.75B2.77B2.59B1.99B1.45B
EBIT
148.82M-466.33M-774.68M-886.47M-1.81B
EBITDA
178.46M-439.92M-680.33M-856.37M-749.42M
Net Income Common Stockholders
82.21M-549.93M-739.78M-926.09M-1.75B
Balance SheetCash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments
655.78M526.66M1.02B826.88M1.19B
Total Assets
1.81B1.67B2.28B2.63B2.07B
Total Debt
1.85B1.60B1.44B1.21B957.75M
Net Debt
1.26B1.14B660.37M883.32M348.55M
Total Liabilities
3.90B3.80B3.75B3.36B3.48B
Stockholders Equity
-2.14B-2.19B-1.54B-807.07M-1.41B
Cash FlowFree Cash Flow
-79.70M-456.00M-672.88M-1.41B-358.42M
Operating Cash Flow
-67.91M-438.14M-603.12M-1.35B-321.56M
Investing Cash Flow
-13.59M125.57M125.82M47.07M760.97M
Financing Cash Flow
228.51M-18.94M184.65M1.78B26.56M

Youdao Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price9.22
Price Trends
50DMA
8.25
Positive
100DMA
8.23
Positive
200DMA
6.52
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
0.29
Positive
RSI
54.74
Neutral
STOCH
42.13
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For DAO, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 9.22 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 8.97, above the 50-day MA of 8.25, and above the 200-day MA of 6.52, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 0.29 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 54.74 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 42.13 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for DAO.

Youdao Risk Analysis

Youdao disclosed 97 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Youdao reported the most risks in the “Finance & Corporate” category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Youdao Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (61)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
73
Outperform
$1.40B-10.84%7.26%39.62%
72
Outperform
$733.11M45.644.29%-0.05%23.22%
DSDSP
69
Neutral
$916.60M461.794.15%30.64%
61
Neutral
$925.67M-36.29%58.34%-602.43%
61
Neutral
$1.04B-27.17%5.43%14.22%
61
Neutral
$11.41B10.19-7.05%2.95%7.46%-10.52%
DADAO
60
Neutral
$1.08B52.9925.15%-2.04%
* Technology Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
DAO
Youdao
9.05
5.50
154.93%
GOTU
Gaotu Techedu
3.73
-2.61
-41.17%
DSP
Viant Technology
13.86
4.63
50.16%
COUR
Coursera
8.55
0.70
8.92%
VMEO
Vimeo
4.45
0.61
15.89%
UDMY
Udemy Inc
6.83
-2.34
-25.52%

Youdao Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:May 15, 2025
(Q1-2025)
|
% Change Since: 6.22%|
Next Earnings Date:Aug 14, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call presented a mixed view. Record operating income and significant growth in AI-driven subscription services and smart devices were key highlights. However, these were offset by declines in net revenue and learning services, along with reduced gross margins. The positive developments were substantial but did not fully counterbalance the negative trends.
Q1-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Record Operating Income
Operating income reached a Q1 record of RMB 104.0 million, surging 247.7% year-over-year.
AI Product Developments
Launched Confucius-o1, an open-source reasoning model, and Youdao MagicBox, an AI-powered ad creative suite.
Growth in AI-Driven Subscription Services
AI-driven subscription services generated nearly RMB 70 million in Q1 sales, growing over 40% year-over-year.
Smart Devices Revenue Growth
Smart Devices segment delivered RMB 190.5 million in Q1 revenues, representing a 5.1% year-over-year growth.
Strong Market Reception for Youdao SpaceOne
Initial inventory of Youdao SpaceOne sold out within 10 days, contributing to over 20% year-over-year growth in dictionary pen revenue.
Net Income Surge
Net income attributable to ordinary shareholders was RMB 76.7 million, an increase of over 6x from the same period of last year.
Negative Updates
Net Revenue Decline
Net revenues were RMB 1.3 billion, declining 6.7% year-over-year, primarily due to decreased learning services revenue.
Learning Services Revenue Drop
Net revenues from Learning Services segment declined by 16.1% year-over-year.
Gross Margin Reduction
Gross margin for learning services decreased from 63.1% to 59.8% and for online marketing services from 34.3% to 30.5% year-over-year.
Operating Cash Outflow
Operating cash outflow was RMB 255.5 million, although it narrowed by 34.7%.
Company Guidance
During Youdao's first quarter 2025 earnings call, the company reported significant strides in profitability and strategic advancements despite a 6.7% decline in net revenues to RMB 1.3 billion. Operating income reached a Q1 record of RMB 104 million, marking a 247.7% year-over-year increase. The company's AI native strategy led to the launch of new products, including Confucius-o1, an open-source reasoning model, and the AI-powered Youdao MagicBox. The Learning Services segment saw a 16.1% revenue decline, narrowing the previous quarter's decline by 5 percentage points, with digital content services generating RMB 410.8 million. The Smart Devices segment grew by 5.1% year-over-year to RMB 190.5 million, while online marketing services posted a 2.6% increase to RMB 505.4 million. Gross margin for online marketing services was 30.5%, with future stabilization expected between 25% to 35%. Operating cash outflow improved, narrowing by 34.7% to RMB 255.5 million. The company aims for sustained profit growth and operating cash flow breakeven for the full year 2025.
Glossary
OutperformA stock rated as "Outperform" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests that the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to the average returns of other stocks in the same sector or market index. Investors might consider this stock a good buying opportunity.
NeutralA stock rated as "Neutral" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly attractive nor unattractive for investment. Investors may consider holding onto the stock, as it is not expected to either significantly outperform or underperform the market.
UnderperformA stock rated as "Underperform" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests that the stock may deliver lower returns compared to the average returns of other stocks in the same sector or market index. Investors might consider selling the stock or avoiding it as an investment.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.