Goldman Sachs has initiated coverage on MEITU (01357) with a "Buy" rating and a target price of HK$16. This valuation implies a projected 2027 price-to-earnings ratio of 33.1 times. The bank forecasts an average annual net profit growth of approximately 44% between 2027 and 2028. Additionally, the operating profit margin is expected to rise from 21% in the first half of 2025 to a projected 34% by 2028.

The report highlights that generative artificial intelligence has transformed MEITU from a simple "beautification tool" into an "AI-powered photo and video generation and editing application." This evolution expands its market from consumer entertainment to business sectors, such as e-commerce and advertising, positioning it as a productivity tool. This shift is anticipated to drive growth in monthly active users, the paying user ratio, and average revenue per user (ARPU).

Goldman Sachs projects MEITU's revenue will achieve a compound annual growth rate of 29% from 2025 to 2030. By 2030, revenue from enterprise and productivity segments is expected to increase to 44% of total revenue, compared to a projected 12% in 2025. The global market size for AI-powered video and image creativity is forecast to grow at a 44% CAGR during the 2025-2030 period, reaching $39 billion. MEITU's projected global market share in AI video and image is expected to rise to 2% and 17% respectively by 2030, up from an estimated 1% and 13% in 2025.