Youku’s proposed merger with Tudou will create one of the largest website operators in China, but synergies are limited and profitability is likely to remain elusive.
Digital Advertising
Youku – benefiting from video ads
Youku, though still loss-making, is set to turn a profit next year, mainly on the strength of video ads, a rapidly growing part of the online market.
06 October 2011
Online advertising – a growth bonanza
A great rush online this year by retailers is driving a bonanza in online advertising, one of the fastest-growing segments in the economy.
06 October 2011
Sina – the challenge of Weibo
The next big thing for Sina is trying to monetise Weibo, the wildly successful, but controversial, Chinese version of Twitter.
06 October 2011
East Money – hit by a falling equity market
East Money’s reliance on supplying financial information to equity investors makes it vulnerable to market swings – and this year the swing has been downward.
06 October 2011
SouFun – flagging home sales drive online ad sales
For now, SouFun revenues are holding up as developers push sales but if the squeeze on developer cash flows persists for several more months, this could change.
06 October 2011
Online travel - crowding in
Rapid growth in the online travel reservation business is attracting new market entrants and driving down profit margins.
11 August 2011
Renren - Squeezed by competitors
A China Confidential survey shows Renren losing out to competitor, Pengyou, in older age groups and in third-tier cities.
14 July 2011
Social Media – monetising an online revolution
Social media has caught on rapidly among China’s urban middle class, but profits remain elusive – so far – for leading companies.
14 July 2011
Tencent - Pengyou’s rapid growth yet to boost profits
Tencent's recently-launched social network site is proving a strong contender to Renren, though it is yet to prove a major revenue driver.
14 July 2011
Latest report
16 May 2013
Browse the archive
RENMINBI COMPASS
Renminbi Compass, a new research service launched by the FT, aims to act as a navigational guide through the expanding universe of renminbi asset classes. With the Chinese currency gaining ever-wider acceptance around the world and Beijing taking steps to open its capital account, we are broadening our research coverage to include not only equity funds but also all other important renminbi asset classes, such as chengtou bonds, dim sum bonds, real estate, trust products, underground banking, art, antiques and several others.
