NetEase 4Q profit beats expectations

Online game operator NetEase reported higher-than-expected fourth-quarter revenues and profits on strong results from its online advertising business.
Net revenue in the fourth quarter was $183.1 million, up from $116 million in the fourth quarter of 2008. Fourth-quarter profits fell slightly year-on-year, to $83.8 million from $84.4 million.
While online gaming remains the main focus of NetEase’s [...]

China Automotive Systems sees Q3 profit rise

Wuhan-based China Automotive Systems, which makes power steering system components, announced yesterday that third-quarter profits rose dramatically on a boost in sales of components for passenger vehicles.
The company said that it earned US$8.6 million, or 28 cents per share, up from US$2.8 million a year earlier. Revenues rose 75% year-on-year to US$64.7 million.
The company statement [...]

China stimulus package boosts earnings at SOEs

State-owned enterprises (SOEs) were able to increase profits last month due to Beijing’s economic stimulus package, a top official said at a round-table at the Boao Forum.
According to Li Rongrong, chairman of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC) said 170 SOEs increased their profits by 26% year-on-year. Earnings were also 86% higher than [...]

Down payment cut means banks face narrower spread

Analysts expect China’s banks’ profitability to suffer from a government cuts to interest rates introduced earlier this week and down payment requirements for mortgages, as they face a narrowing interest spread. “The impact of an interest income cut is more direct and swift to banks,” said Li Shanshan, a China Merchants Securities analyst. Securities research [...]

Construction Bank profit growth slows to 13pc

China Construction Bank (CCB), the country’s largest mortgage lender, recorded 13% profit growth in the third quarter, down from the 71% growth posted in the first half of the year. CCB’s profits in the first nine months of 2008 were up 48.07% from the same period in 2007. The bank put its growth down to [...]

Wynn earnings drop 38.8pc as Beijing’s travel restrictions bite

China’s new limits on mainlander visits to Macau have contributed to a drop in profits at the Wynn Macau, a major resort and casino. Preliminary results released by the company show a drop of at least 38.8% in the third quarter from the previous three months. Wynn Resorts estimated operating income at its Macau property [...]