24/7 Space News
INTERNET SPACE
Gaming giant Tencent's 2022 annual net profit falls 16 percent
Gaming giant Tencent's 2022 annual net profit falls 16 percent
by AFP Staff Writers
Beijing (AFP) March 22, 2023

Chinese gaming giant Tencent's profits fell steeply last year, according to an earnings report released Wednesday, as the country's tech sector weathers a government crackdown and a shaky economy.

Annual net profit in 2022 fell 16 percent year-on-year for the group, which owns the popular Chinese messaging app WeChat.

Tech titans such as Tencent and Alibaba have faced increasing pressure from Chinese authorities since 2020 after years of meteoric growth.

Many have been investigated for alleged anti-competitive behaviour and data security issues, dampening investor enthusiasm.

Wednesday's report also showed a dip in Tencent's total annual revenue, which came to 554.6 billion yuan ($80.5 billion), down one percent year-on-year.

The group recorded a quarterly revenue drop in the second quarter last year, the first since its 2004 IPO.

However, founder and CEO Pony Ma struck an optimistic note in Wednesday's earnings report.

Changes implemented last year would "position us to benefit from, and contribute to, a rebound in China economic growth which our users' activity suggests is now underway", he wrote.

The Shenzhen-based company showed improvement during the three-month period ended December 31, with revenue of 145.0 billion yuan, up three percent from the previous quarter.

These were the first quarterly results posted by Tencent since the government's sudden lifting in December of its zero-Covid policy, which dragged heavily on the domestic economy.

Tencent, a world-leading video games provider, has been seeking to diversify its business operations and ensure its survival in the face of what it has referred to as "transitional industry challenges".

Beijing moved against the gaming sector in 2021 as part of the sprawling crackdown on big tech, including a strict cap on the amount of time children could spend playing online.

But recent signals from authorities suggest the storm clouds could be receding. The firm received formal approval in November to publish new games after an 18-month hiatus.

Still, the official posture towards entrepreneurs in China remains far less encouraging than during the period of unbridled growth from which Tencent emerged.

Ma's name was glaringly absent from a list of delegates selected to attend China's annual parliamentary session earlier this month, suggesting that top tech sector voices are losing influence in Beijing.

Tencent has ramped up its globalisation efforts recently, making a series of notable acquisitions and investments in the international gaming sector, such as the purchase of British studio Sumo last year.

pfc-je/reb/pbt

Tencent

TotalEnergies

Alibaba

BAIDU

Related Links
Satellite-based Internet technologies

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
INTERNET SPACE
Baidu shares fall after disappointing AI chatbot debut
Beijing (AFP) March 16, 2023
Chinese search engine company Baidu's shares fell as much as 10 percent on Thursday after the company unveiled its ChatGPT-like AI software, with investors unimpressed by the bot's display of linguistic and maths skills. The artificial intelligence-powered ChatGPT, created by San Francisco company OpenAI, has caused a sensation for its ability to write essays, poems or programming code on demand within seconds, sparking widespread fears of cheating or of professions becoming obsolete. Chinese te ... read more

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
INTERNET SPACE
Virgin Orbit suspends operations, in wake of failed orbital launch

SpaceX cargo resupply mission CRS-27 scheduled for launch Tuesday

NASA SpaceX Crew-5 splashes down after 5-month mission

China to revamp science, tech in face of foreign 'suppression'

INTERNET SPACE
SpaceX launches 56 Starlink satellites from Florida

Relativity Space's 3D-printed rocket fails to reach orbit

China launches carrier rocket for satellite installation

Relativity Space counts down to third launch attempt for 3D-printed rocket

INTERNET SPACE
Spring Past the Marker Band: Sols 3776-3777

Geologists Love a Good Contact: Sols 3773-3775

Waves and a Rock: Sols 3778-3779

Toodle-oo Tapo Caparo: Sols 3771-3772

INTERNET SPACE
China's Shenzhou-15 astronauts to return in June

China's space technology institute sees launches of 400 spacecraft

Shenzhou XV crew takes second spacewalk

China conducts ignition test in Mengtian space lab module

INTERNET SPACE
Astronomers sound alarm about light pollution from satellites

Satellite constellations multiply on profit hopes, geopolitics

HawkEye 360's latest satellite cluster begins operation

LeoLabs expands space safety coverage with new site in Argentina.

INTERNET SPACE
Artist Karla Ortiz sees AI 'identity theft', not promise

New mining technology uses CO2 as tool to access critical minerals

Artists fight AI programs that copy their styles

Concrete in Disrepair? DARPA May Help You BRACE It

INTERNET SPACE
Searching for life with space dust

Scientists have new tool to estimate how much water might be hidden beneath a planet's surface

RNA base in asteroid samples suggests origins of life on Earth

Hunting Venus 2.0: Scientists sharpen their sights

INTERNET SPACE
New Horizons team discusses discoveries from the Kuiper Belt

New Horizons team adds AI to Kuiper Belt Object search

Study finds ocean currents may affect rotation of Europa's icy crust

Inspiring mocktail menu served up by Space Juice winners

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters


ADVERTISEMENT



The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2023 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.