Weibo (NASDAQ: WB), China's Twitter-like social media platform, saw its stock soar 5.58% in trading on Wednesday following the release of its better-than-expected first-quarter financial results. The company's performance, bolstered by its AI integration efforts and solid advertising revenue, has reignited investor confidence.

Weibo reported quarterly revenue of $396.9 million, slightly above analyst estimates of $394.2 million, representing a 0.34% year-over-year increase. The company's adjusted earnings per share of 45 cents also surpassed the consensus forecast of 38 cents. Notably, Weibo's advertising and marketing revenues, which account for the bulk of its income, remained stable at $339.1 million.

CEO Gaofei Wang highlighted the company's focus on integrating social features and upgrading its recommendation system. The introduction of Weibo Intelligent Search, an AI-powered search function, has shown promising results with growth in both user base and daily search queries. This AI integration, coupled with improved ad placement efficiency and disciplined spending, has enhanced Weibo's operating efficiency and set the stage for further investments in product competitiveness and AI technology. The positive earnings report and the company's strategic direction in embracing AI have clearly resonated with investors, driving the stock's significant uptick.