Youdao Inc(DAO)

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EXPLORE ADVISORIES AND THEIR HISTORY
QUALITY SIGNAL RECENCY
3-STAR RATING
STRONG BUY
BUY for 21 days
PROFIT SINCE LAST BUY
+13.28% ▲
LAST CLOSE
$19.71
11/06/2026
(24-hour delay)

Advisory History & Simulated Performance *

*as per simulation (see disclosures)
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  • 1M
  • 1W
  • BUY Advisory
  • SELL Advisory (Profit)
  • SELL Advisory (Loss)
  • Profit
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Upturn Stock price based on last close iconStock price based on last close
Simulated performance—not actual client returns. Excludes advisory subscription fees, trading commissions, and taxes, which would reduce returns. Results depend on calculation assumptions and do not guarantee future outcomes. See Disclosures for full methodology, assumptions, and limitations.

Advisory Performance History (Simulated)Advisory Performance History info

Simulated performance—not actual client returns. Excludes advisory subscription fees, trading commissions, and taxes, which would reduce returns. Results depend on calculation assumptions and do not guarantee future outcomes. See Disclosures for full methodology, assumptions, and limitations.

Upturn Advisory & Investor View for DAO

11/06/2026: DAO (3-star) is a STRONG-BUY. BUY for 21 days. Simulated Profits (13.28%). Updated daily EoD!

Youdao is a China-based education technology company that has evolved from a digital tool provider to a developer of AI-integrated learning services and smart hardware. The company's main strength lies in its strong brand recognition within language learning and its integration with the broader NetEase ecosystem. Its primary growth story centers on leveraging generative AI to innovate its smart device portfolio and vocational training services. Investors should note significant risks, including persistent regulatory uncertainty in China and stiff competition from larger tech players. This stock may suit investors comfortable with higher volatility and the speculative growth potential of AI-driven education solutions.

How to Read the Upturn Advisory

The Upturn Star Rating and the current BUY, SELL, or PASS advisory are generated by Upturn’s AI advisory engine based on proprietary signal analysis, price behavior, advisory history, and historical signal performance.

Company fundamentals, valuation, risks, and news provide supporting context about the business.

Investor Fit

Investor styleFitWhy
Growth investorMixed fitThe company offers growth potential in AI and smart hardware but faces significant regulatory and macro risks.
Momentum investorWeak fitMomentum is currently limited by broader sector volatility and the ongoing transition of the business model.
Value investorWeak fitValuation is difficult to assess given the rapid transition of the business and historical profit volatility.
Dividend investorWeak fitThe company does not pay dividends and focuses entirely on growth and R&D.
Low-risk investorWeak fitHigh volatility due to regulatory exposure and industry change makes this unsuitable for low-risk profiles.

Risk Profile

Risk factorLevelWhy it matters
Price volatilityHighThe stock is subject to sharp price fluctuations driven by news cycles in the Chinese regulatory and tech space.
Valuation riskMedium / highFuture growth prospects are heavily tied to the successful adoption of new AI products, which is inherently uncertain.
Competition risk (AI competition)HighYoudao faces significant pressure from well-capitalized tech incumbents like Baidu in the AI and translation space.
Business qualityMediumThe business has a strong brand but is in a complex, ongoing transition phase.
Dividend incomeLow / noneThere is no income component for investors.
Execution riskMedium / highSuccessfully scaling new hardware and AI-driven services requires consistent product innovation and execution.

Price Behavior

Strong Uptrend
PRICE PATH

Strong Uptrend

The stock has maintained a strong upward price trend across the last three quarters.

Choppy
PRICE STABILITY

Choppy

The stock has experienced frequent reversals and pronounced short-term price swings.

Analysis of Past Performance

Type Stock
Historic Profit 27.67%
Avg. Invested days 27
Today’s Advisory Strong Buy
Upturn Advisory Rating upturn star rating icon
Upturn Advisory Performance Upturn Advisory Performance icon 3.0
Stock Returns Performance Upturn Returns Performance icon 3.0
Upturn Profits based on simulation icon Profits based on simulation
Upturn last close icon Last Close 11/06/2026

Upturn Scorecard

Upturn Star Rating

★★★★★
DAO receives a 3-star rating, supported by solid company fundamentals, solid quantitative characteristics, and solid analyst coverage. The rating is constrained by weak unit economics, and limited analyst upside.

Company Fundamentals

★★★★★
DAO has solid overall fundamentals (4 stars), with moderate financial health, solid growth momentum, and solid ownership. In FY2025 versus FY2024, solid earnings growth (+30.6%) is partially offset by soft cash generation (FCF margin 0.5%), moderate revenue growth (+5.0%), soft profitability (net margin 1.8%).

Financial Health Rating

★★★★★
DAO's financial health is supported by solid cash strength, including free-cash-flow generation (0.5% of revenue). Profitability is soft (2 stars), which helps explain the 3-star overall score.

Growth Momentum Score

★★★★★
Free-cash-flow growth is DAO's strongest growth driver at +137.1% FY2025 versus FY2024 (strong, 5 stars). By comparison, earnings growth (+30.6%, solid) is also solid, while revenue growth (+5.0%, moderate) holds the profile back, so recent growth is not broad-based across the business.

Ownership

★★★★★
Institutional ownership is 27.6% and approximately 84.3% of outstanding shares are publicly tradable, supporting liquidity and institutional participation. Insider ownership of 13.54% supports management-shareholder alignment.

Top 5 Institutional Investors

Orbis Allan Gray Ltd 5.44%
NetEase, Inc. 2.40%
Vanguard Capital Management, LLC 0.70%
Acadian Asset Management LLC 0.19%
Vanguard Fiduciary Trust Co 0.18%

Unit Economics (Per $1K Revenue)

★★★★★
DAO generates approximately $443 of gross profit, $39 of operating income, and $5 of free cash flow for every $1,000 of revenue. Based on FY2025 results. Soft margins explain the 1-star rating, with weak cash conversion and weak capital efficiency.

Economic Dimensions

★★★★★
Effective Tax Rate: 14.60%

Quantitative Style Profile

★★★★★
DAO has a liquid, relatively low-volatility profile. Valuation that is moderately attractive rather than deeply discounted is the primary drawback.

Style Classification

Quality Focused

Low VolatilitySmall / Mid Cap RiskHighly Liquid / Institution-Friendly

Key Highlights

Company Size Mid-Cap Stock
Market Capitalization 2.43B USD
Price to earnings Ratio 105.95
1Y Target Price 19.97
Price to earnings Ratio 105.95
1Y Target Price 19.97
Volume (30-day avg) 28.2K shares
Beta 0.53
52 Weeks Range 8.38 - 21.00
Updated Date 11/06/2026
52 Weeks Range 8.38 - 21.00
Updated Date 11/06/2026
Dividends yield (FY) -
Basic EPS (TTM) 0.19

How Company Makes Money

Business areaWhat it includesRetail investor read
Learning ServicesOnline courses and vocational training services.This is a primary revenue driver focusing on skill-based education.
Smart DevicesDictionary pens and AI-powered learning hardware.This segment showcases the company's ability to monetize technology via physical goods.
Online MarketingAdvertising services for third-party platforms.This segment leverages the company's large user base for recurring revenue.

Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth

Revenue by Products

Product revenue - Year on Year

Valuation

Trailing PE 105.95
Forward PE -
Enterprise Value 2.51B
Price to Sales(TTM) 0.4
Enterprise Value 2.51B
Price to Sales(TTM) 0.4
Enterprise Value to Revenue 2.78
Enterprise Value to EBITDA 70.82
Shares Outstanding 32.65M
Shares Floating 27.53M
Shares Outstanding 32.65M
Shares Floating 27.53M
Percent Insiders 13.54
Percent Institutions 27.64

Financial Metrics

🧭 Investment Snapshot

Total Revenue (Scale)

Information icon Total money earned from selling products or services before any costs. It is needed to understand the scale of the business and its ability to generate income.

Net Income (Profit)

Information icon Final profit after all expenses, interest, and taxes are deducted. It is needed to determine the overall profitability available to shareholders.

Free Cash Flow (Cash Strength)

Information icon Cash remaining after operating activities and capital expenditures, showing cash available for growth. It is needed to evaluate the company’s ability to invest, pay dividends, or reduce debt.

📈 Growth & Strength

Operating Income (Core Profit)

Information icon Profit from core operations after deducting all operating expenses. It is needed to measure how efficiently the company runs its primary business activities.

EBITDA (Cash Earnings)

Information icon Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, indicating operating cash potential. It is needed to compare operating performance across companies without accounting or financing differences.

Gross Profit (Unit Profitability)

Information icon Revenue minus cost of revenue, showing profit after direct production costs. It is needed to evaluate core business profitability before overhead expenses.

🛡️ Financial Safety

Cash (Liquidity Buffer)

Information icon Total cash and cash equivalents on hand. It is needed to evaluate immediate liquidity and financial flexibility.

Total Debt (Leverage Risk)

Information icon Total debt including both short-term and long-term components. It is needed to assess the company’s leverage and financial risk.

Net Working Capital (Short-Term Health)

Information icon Current assets minus current liabilities, indicating short-term liquidity strength. It is needed to assess whether the company can meet its short-term obligations.

🧱 Balance Sheet Strength

Stockholder Equity (Net Worth)

Information icon Total equity value held by shareholders. It is needed to understand the net worth of the company from the owners’ perspective.

Total Assets (Asset Base)

Information icon The full value of everything the company owns, including cash, inventory, equipment, and investments. It is needed to understand the resource base used to generate revenue.

Income Before Tax (Pre-Tax Earnings)

Information icon Income before provision for income taxes. It is needed to analyze profitability independent of tax structures.

⚙️ Cost & Drag Factors

Cost of Revenue (Production Cost)

Information icon Direct costs required to produce and deliver the products or services sold. It is needed to assess efficiency in production and service delivery.

Total Operating Expenses (Operating Cost)

Information icon Indirect costs of running the business such as salaries, marketing, and administration. It is needed to understand how much it costs to sustain ongoing business operations.

Income Tax Expense (Tax Drag)

Information icon Amount of taxes paid or payable to the government. It is needed to evaluate the impact of taxation on overall profitability.

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