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Globe and Mail
26-05-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Looking for Exposure to Baidu Stock (BIDU) Post Q1 Earnings? Try These Two ETFs
Baidu's (BIDU) growth prospects are driven by AI expansion, cloud computing, and autonomous driving. The company is investing in Ernie Bot AI and cloud services to strengthen its position in China's AI sector. Also, it is expanding its Apollo Go robotaxi operations globally. Thus, investors looking for exposure to BIDU stock may consider investing in these two ETFs: Invesco Golden Dragon China ETF (PGJ) and Global X Social Media ETF (SOCL). Confident Investing Starts Here: Easily unpack a company's performance with TipRanks' new KPI Data for smart investment decisions Receive undervalued, market resilient stocks right to your inbox with TipRanks' Smart Value Newsletter It is worth mentioning that Baidu recently beat expectations in Q1, driven by strong growth in AI Cloud and robotaxi expansion. Particularly, AI Cloud revenue surged 42% year-over-year, reflecting rising adoption of Baidu's full-stack AI solutions. Let's take a deeper look at these two ETFs. Invesco Golden Dragon China ETF The PGJ ETF focuses on U.S.-listed Chinese companies, offering exposure to China's technology, consumer, and communication sectors. It tracks the NASDAQ Golden Dragon China Index. Importantly, BIDU accounts for 6.82% of PGJ's total holdings. Some of the top holdings in PGJ ETF include Alibaba (BABA), Yum China (YUMC), and (JD). Overall, the ETF has $148.29 million in assets under management (AUM) and an expense ratio of 0.67%. Over the past year, the PGJ ETF has generated a return of 5.63%. On TipRanks, PGJ has a Moderate Buy consensus rating based on 41 Buys, 28 Holds, and one Sell assigned in the last three months. At $36.52, the average PGJ ETF price target implies 28.05% upside potential. Global X Social Media ETF The SOCL ETF provides exposure to social media companies, tracking the Solactive Social Media Total Return Index. It focuses on high-growth social media companies, including established giants and emerging players. BIDU stock constitutes 4.38% of the ETF's holdings. Apart from BIDU, some of the top stocks in the SOCL ETF are Meta Platforms (META), Pinterest (PINS), and NetEase (NTES). Overall, the ETF has $121.46 million in AUM. Also, it has an expense ratio of 0.65%. The SOCL ETF has returned 6.83% in the past year. Turning to Wall Street, the ETF has a Moderate Buy consensus rating. Of the 51 stocks held, 29 have Buys and 22 have a Hold rating. At $54.46, the average SOCL ETF price target implies a 16.9% upside potential. Concluding Thoughts ETFs provide indirect exposure to BIDU, reducing risk compared to investing directly in the stock. Furthermore, ETFs are a liquid and transparent way to participate in the market. Investors seeking ETF recommendations might consider PGJ and SOCL, as these ETFs offer exposure to Baidu stock.
France 24
21-05-2025
- Business
- France 24
China's Baidu posts rise in Q1 revenue as seeks to grow AI presence
The Beijing-based firm operates China's main search engine and has long been a key player in the domestic tech industry -- but faces stiff competition both from traditional rivals like Tencent and Alibaba and a host of newer upstarts. Baidu derives a large part of its revenue from advertising, a sector vulnerable to fluctuations in consumer sentiment, and has sought to diversify with cloud computing, self-driving cars and AI. The firm achieved revenue of 32.45 billion yuan ($4.5 billion) in the first quarter of 2025, up 3 percent year-on-year, according to an earnings report released Wednesday on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange website. Net income during the first quarter reached 7.72 billion yuan, up 42 percent year-on-year. China's consumer-facing AI sector attracted global attention after startup DeepSeek released a model that performed comparably to competitors such as US-made ChatGPT, apparently at a much lower developing cost. In March, Baidu announced the launch of its latest X1 reasoning model -- which the company claims performs similarly to DeepSeek's but for a lower cost -- and a new foundation model, Ernie 4.5. Baidu has also axed subscriptions for its AI chatbot Ernie Bot, making it free for individual users. "We are confident that our AI-first strategy positions us to remain at the forefront and to capture long-term growth opportunities in the AI era," said Robin Li, co-founder and CEO of Baidu, in the filing. "We also achieved a pivotal milestone in our robotaxi business, as Apollo Go expanded internationally," Li added. In March Baidu announced it had signed an agreement to launch autonomous driving tests and services in Dubai, Apollo Go's first international fleet deployment. The company also plans to start testing self-driving taxis in Europe by the end of this year, a source with knowledge of the matter confirmed to AFP earlier this month. The company will also start testing in Turkey, they said.
Wall Street Journal
21-05-2025
- Business
- Wall Street Journal
Baidu's First-Quarter Revenue Rose on Robust AI Business
Chinese search-engine giant Baidu BIDU 0.10%increase; green up pointing triangle snapped a three-quarter run of falling revenue, posting a rise for the first three months of the year as it develops new growth drivers in AI. The Beijing-based internet company said Wednesday that first-quarter revenue rose 3.0% to 32.45 billion yuan, equivalent to $4.49 billion. That compared with an estimate of 30.43 billion yuan compiled by FactSet and expectations that revenue would fall as Baidu grapples with weak demand for its core advertising business. Net profit rose to 7.72 billion yuan from 5.45 billion yuan, beating the 3.745 billion yuan expected by analysts in the FactSet poll. 'AI Cloud continued its robust growth in the first quarter, which provides solid support to our overall revenue while we accelerate the AI transformation across our mobile ecosystem,' said Junjie He, Interim CFO of Baidu. 'Looking ahead, we are strongly committed to investing in AI to translate our technological strengths into sustainable long-term growth.' Baidu, once the most prominent name among Chinese tech companies, has been struggling to find new avenues of growth in recent years. Slowing demand for advertising–the company's traditional earnings engine–has pushed it into new areas such as AI and autonomous driving. Investors are focusing on the momentum of Baidu's AI cloud business, viewed as the next big driver of profit. Uncertainties about U.S. tariffs have raised concerns about the pace of adoption among Baidu's cloud customers and the company's AI monetization, Citi analysts said in a recent note. Baidu's flagship AI product, the Ernie chatbot, made waves when it was released but now faces growing competition from startup rivals such as DeepSeek, as well as other tech giants like Alibaba Group and ByteDance. Ernie Bot's monthly active users ranked eighth in April among Chinese chatbots, according to a Chinese website that tracks AI products. In a reflection of its challenges, Baidu's Hong Kong-listed stock was 1.9% lower ahead of the earnings release. Shares of the company are up a modest 4% this year, compared with Alibaba's nearly 50% surge and the Hang Seng Tech Index's 20% jump. The company is also trying to expand its robotaxi business to more overseas locations. It has been in talks with Switzerland's PostAuto, a unit of Swiss Post that provides public bus services, to launch its Apollo Go robotaxi service in the European nation, The Wall Street Journal reported earlier this month. Write to Tracy Qu at
Korea Herald
04-04-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
Don't Miss an AI-driven Future at Beijing InfoComm China 2025 (16-18 April)
APAC's premier Pro AV show set to feature over 400 new-to-market products and renowned industry tech trailblazers BEIJING, April 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The future of AI integration in professional audiovisual (Pro AV) takes center stage as Beijing InfoComm China 2025 prepares to open its door from April 16-18 at China National Convention Center (CNCC). Themed "Where China is Shaping the Digital-Forward Future", the annual show brings together 400 leading global technology brands, presenting APAC's premier platform for showcasing advanced AI and AV integrations and innovations. All-new "AI Tech Application Zone" Debuts with Baidu's Ernie Bot and PaddlePaddle Beijing InfoComm China reinforces its position of delivering the latest AI trends, introducing the all-new "AI Tech Application Zone", in Hall P, Level 4 of CNCC. This dedicated area brings together leading and emerging AI innovators, including Baidu (showcasing its Ernie Bot and PaddlePaddle deep learning platform), Shanghai Vanadium, IDMA, LynkSoul AI, Hanhao Technology, Weshop Al, CCW Technology and Dream Portal, offering visitors a unique glimpse into the future of AI+AV integrated intelligence and creative solutions. Highlights at AI Tech Application Zone include: AI Empowerment, Reshaping Experience: From AI digital humans to AI gaming companions, or from AI content capture to AI one-stop movie-grade video generation, come experience how AI technology subverts traditions in creating immersive, intelligent and personalized experiences. Scenario-driven, Future-powered: Focusing on core application scenarios such as advertising, cultural tourism, e-commerce, conferencing collaboration, education and entertainment, explore how AI technology can empower industry upgrades and open up new future formats. Direct Access to Innovators & Trends: Connect one-on-one with industry leaders, gain in-depth understanding of the latest AI technology achievements and successful use cases, and stay ahead of the competition with the latest industry trend knowledge. Over 400 New Products Showcasing AI+AV Integration Trends at Beijing InfoComm China This year's show reflects the explosive growth in AI+AV integration and reveals three major trends. First, AI technology has advanced from conceptual stages to widespread practical applications. Second, there is a significant trend of cross-vertical integration, with Pro AV technology becoming deeply interspersed with AI, cloud computing, big data, IoT and other technologies. Third, AI application scenarios are becoming more diversified and innovative. As such, over 400 global brands, including BARCO, BOSE, Christie, Philips (TPV Group), Shure, Sony, Audio-Technica, Unilumin, Leyard, Absen, AVCIT, DIGIBIRD and Hisense, are set to demonstrate these trends in action, with a collective more than 400 new products and AI technologies debuts. Game-changers in Cultural Tourism, Enterprises and Sports Events Leveraging Tech to Disrupt Experiences The landscapes of cultural tourism, enterprises, and sports events have experienced rapid transformations. Related organizations must focus on user needs, creating differentiated experiences through cross-vertical innovations. Beijing InfoComm China brings together the latest advanced display solutions, AR/VR/MR technologies, holographic immersive projection, and AI digital humans, to create different application scenarios that push creative boundaries. Visitors can look forward to seeing first-hand practical showcases from leading innovators including: Unilumin (transparent displays for commercial spaces); Christie (high-fidelity projection for theme parks, museums, art galleries and science and technology museums); Telycam (highly efficient XR production for live sports events and concerts). A bevvy of engaging show floor activities is planned to enhance the Beijing InfoComm China experience! Expert-led guided tours offer visitors opportunities to discover the latest new products and technologies, including those by Baidu, Ocean Engine, HIKVISION, Jabra, and more; as well as dedicated intelligent solutions for smart workplaces and classrooms. Additionally, visitors can participate in pre-show voting for the 'Most Anticipated New Product', and the 'Most Anticipated New Solution' awards. Voting is conducted via the show's official WeChat channel and will end on 14 April at 1400 hours. Be among the first to see the industry's latest advancements unveiled! Register Now to Explore the Future of AI+AV Technology Beijing InfoComm China offers overseas buyers unparalleled access to suppliers and partners and within the high-potential markets in China. The event has attracted significant international interest, with industry professionals and buyers from over 38 countries and regions already registered to visit, including Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, India, the United States, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Canada. Visit for the latest show information and pre-register at for a free admission badge, applicable to all industry and trade professionals. About InfoCommAsia InfoCommAsia Pte Ltd. extends its influence through three marquee shows: InfoComm Asia; InfoComm China, Beijing; and InfoComm India. Each show features an exhibition that showcases the world's most cutting-edge and in-demand professional audiovisual and integrated experience technology solutions and a summit that presents learning opportunities. The shows bring together professional audiovisual industry players and top-level decision-makers from across different markets to tap into the vast potential presented by pro AV solutions. For media enquiries: Ms Angie Eng, Marketing Director InfoCommAsia Pte Ltd T: +65 8163 2091 E: angieeng@ Hong Kong, China; Macao, China; Taiwan, China & Others Ms Vivian Yu T: +852 3520 3638 E:
Express Tribune
17-03-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Baidu unveils low-cost AI models to compete with DeepSeek in China's AI race
Listen to article Baidu, a leading Chinese internet search company, has unveiled new low-cost artificial intelligence (AI) reasoning foundation models in an effort to remain competitive in China's rapidly advancing AI sector. Introduced the X1 reasoning model and a new version of its foundation model, Ernie 4.5, marking a significant development in the Chinese AI race. Baidu's new X1 model, which the company claims performs similarly to the DeepSeek model but at a much lower cost, comes amid fierce competition in the Chinese AI market. DeepSeek, a startup that made waves in the industry with its open-source, cost-efficient AI platform in January, has prompted major tech companies to accelerate their AI development. Baidu also revealed that its Ernie Bot, an AI chatbot powered by its proprietary Ernie models, would be available for free to individual users more than two weeks earlier than initially scheduled. Previously, access to Ernie Bot required a paid subscription to use Baidu's latest AI models. The company claims that Ernie 4.5 outperforms OpenAI's GPT-4.5 in several benchmark tests, while the X1 model is particularly strong in areas such as understanding, planning, reflection, and evolution, positioning Baidu's AI solutions as competitive alternatives to Western models. China's AI surge and competition Baidu's move comes as the Chinese AI wave continues to shake up global tech markets. Baidu was one of the first Chinese companies to publicly roll out a generative AI platform in 2023. However, it now faces stiff competition from rivals like ByteDance (owner of TikTok), Moonshot AI, and the rapidly-growing startup DeepSeek, which has shaken up the industry with its cost-effective and open-source AI models. DeepSeek's open-source model has been widely adopted, with both Chinese companies and local government agencies rushing to integrate it into their operations. Baidu itself has incorporated DeepSeek's R1 reasoning model into its search engine. The success of DeepSeek has spurred other Chinese tech giants to respond with their own AI advancements. In February, Tencent, the owner of WeChat, introduced a new AI model, claiming it answered queries faster than DeepSeek's model. Tencent has also incorporated DeepSeek's technology into its messaging platform. Meanwhile, Alibabawhich has partnered with Apple to develop AI for U.S. phones in China—announced a $52 billion investment in AI and cloud computing over the next three years. Open-source AI models and Baidu's plans Baidu's decision to make its Ernie AI models open-source by June 30 mirrors DeepSeek's strategy, which has gained significant traction by offering its models freely. This move by Baidu is expected to further fuel competition and innovation in China's AI market, where multiple companies vie for dominance. Baidu's new AI models and its commitment to open-source solutions demonstrate the company's drive to maintain its leadership in the AI sector, while responding to the growing influence of rivals like DeepSeek, Tencent, and Alibaba. As the Chinese government continues to push for advancements in AI technology, companies like Baidu are expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of AI both in China and globally.
