The9 Ltd ADR logo

The9 Ltd ADR(NCTY)

upturn advisory logo
ADVISORIES YOU CAN VERIFY
QUALITY SIGNAL
1-STAR RATING
PASS
LAST CLOSE
$3.65
09/25/2026
(24-hour delay)

Advisory History & Simulated Performance *

*as per simulation (see disclosures)
  • ALL
  • 1Y
  • 1M
  • 1W
  • BUY Advisory
  • SELL Advisory (Profit)
  • SELL Advisory (Loss)
  • Profit
  • Loss
  • PASS (Skip)
Upturn Stock price based on last close iconStock price based on last close

Advisory Performance History (Simulated)Advisory Performance History info

Upturn Advisory & Investor View for NCTY

09/25/2026: NCTY (1-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.

The9 Ltd is a highly speculative, small-cap company that has transformed from a former gaming operator into a focused digital asset and cryptocurrency mining entity. Its main strength lies in the agility to pivot into emerging technology markets, though this has resulted in significant operational volatility. The company's investment story is tied directly to the price of Bitcoin and the broader adoption of Web3, making it a high-risk venture. Primary risks include extreme market volatility, regulatory uncertainty, and intense competition from much larger, more efficient mining peers. This stock may suit momentum-focused traders but remains unsuitable for conservative or income-oriented investors due to the absence of dividends.

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 investorWeak fitThe lack of consistent, scalable earnings makes it a poor fit for traditional growth investors.
Momentum investorStrong fit while signal remains positiveThis stock is highly sensitive to speculative crypto cycles and can experience rapid price movements.
Value investorWeak fitThe company's valuation is often disconnected from traditional financial metrics.
Dividend investorWeak fitThe company does not pay dividends and focuses on speculative capital appreciation.
Low-risk investorWeak fitExtreme volatility and business model uncertainty make this unsuitable for risk-averse investors.

Risk Profile

Risk factorLevelWhy it matters
Price volatilityHighThe stock's value is heavily tied to the unpredictable nature of cryptocurrency markets.
Valuation riskHighMarket pricing often fluctuates wildly without correlation to fundamental operational performance.
Competition risk (Crypto Mining)HighThe company lacks the cost advantages held by larger, institutional-grade mining peers.
Business qualityMediumThe transition from gaming to blockchain has resulted in a less predictable, more speculative business model.
Dividend incomeLow / noneNo income is returned to shareholders.
Execution riskHighSuccessfully pivoting in highly regulated and competitive technology sectors is difficult.

Price Behavior

Steep Decline
PRICE PATH

Steep Decline

The stock price has dropped sharply with strong downward pressure.

Extreme Price Shocks
PRICE STABILITY

Extreme Price Shocks

The stock has experienced exceptionally large and disruptive price movements during the period.

Analysis of Past Performance

Type Stock
Historic Profit -1.21%
Avg. Invested days 33
Today’s Advisory PASS
Upturn Advisory Rating upturn star rating icon
Upturn Advisory Performance Upturn Advisory Performance icon 2.0
Stock Returns Performance Upturn Returns Performance icon 1.0
Upturn Profits based on simulation icon Profits based on simulation
Upturn last close icon Last Close 09/25/2026

Upturn Scorecard

Upturn Star Rating

★★★★★
NCTY receives a 2-star rating, supported by available scored pillars. The rating is constrained by weak unit economics, soft company fundamentals, and soft quantitative characteristics.

Company Fundamentals

★★★★★
NCTY has soft overall fundamentals (2 stars), with weak financial health, soft growth momentum, and moderate ownership. In FY2025 versus FY2024, growth and ownership metrics are mixed: negative earnings growth (-440.5%), soft cash generation (FCF margin -29.9%), slightly negative revenue growth (-4.8%).

Financial Health Rating

★★★★★
NCTY's financial health is supported by soft liquidity, including working-capital and asset support (WC/assets -0.2%). Operating efficiency is weak (1 stars), which helps explain the 1-star overall score.

Growth Momentum Score

★★★★★
Free-cash-flow growth is NCTY's strongest growth driver at +48.1% FY2025 versus FY2024 (strong, 5 stars). By comparison, while revenue growth (-4.8%, slightly negative) and earnings growth (-440.5%, negative) hold the profile back, so recent growth is not broad-based across the business.

Ownership

★★★★★
Institutional ownership is 0.5% and approximately 30.8% of outstanding shares are publicly tradable, supporting liquidity and institutional participation. Insider ownership of 17.39% supports management-shareholder alignment.

Top 5 Institutional Investors

Citadel Advisors Llc 0.20%
Jane Street Group LLC 0.10%
HRT FINANCIAL LLC 0.08%
Independent Advisor Alliance 0.08%
Vident Advisory, LLC 0.07%

Unit Economics (Per $1K Revenue)

★★★★★
NCTY generates approximately $17 of gross profit, $-2,296 of operating income, and $-299 of free cash flow for every $1,000 of revenue. Based on FY2025 results. Strong cash conversion and healthy margins support the rating, although capital efficiency remains below the highest tier.

Economic Dimensions

★★★★★
Effective Tax Rate: 1.56%

Quantitative Style Profile

★★★★★
NCTY has a Value-Oriented profile. Weak momentum is the primary drawback, while elevated volatility.

Style Classification

Quality Focused

Value-OrientedHigh VolatilitySmall / Mid Cap RiskShort Squeeze Risk

Key Highlights

Company Size Small-Cap Stock
Market Capitalization 55.75M USD
Price to earnings Ratio -
1Y Target Price 3.5
Price to earnings Ratio -
1Y Target Price 3.5
Volume (30-day avg) 273.4K shares
Beta 2.09
52 Weeks Range 3.14 - 11.60
Updated Date 09/26/2026
52 Weeks Range 3.14 - 11.60
Updated Date 09/26/2026
Dividends yield (FY) -
Basic EPS (TTM) -0.88

How Company Makes Money

Business areaWhat it includesRetail investor read
Cryptocurrency MiningOperation of mining machines for Bitcoin and other assets.Revenue fluctuates based on the global price of Bitcoin.
Web3/Digital AssetsPlatform fees and services related to NFTs and digital collectibles.A speculative segment dependent on digital asset popularity.
GeographyGlobal operations with historical roots in China.Regulatory changes in any major region can disrupt operations.

Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth

Revenue by Products

Product revenue - Year on Year

Revenue by Geography

Geography revenue - Year on Year

Advertisement

Valuation

Trailing PE -
Forward PE -
Enterprise Value 85.35M
Price to Sales(TTM) 0.88
Enterprise Value 85.35M
Price to Sales(TTM) 0.88
Enterprise Value to Revenue 9
Enterprise Value to EBITDA 6.17
Shares Outstanding 15.27M
Shares Floating 4.70M
Shares Outstanding 15.27M
Shares Floating 4.70M
Percent Insiders 17.39
Percent Institutions 0.46

Icon representing Upturn AI-generated SWOT analysis summary Upturn AI Summary

Information icon for Upturn AI Summarization accuracy disclaimer AI Summarization is directionally correct and might not be accurate.

Information icon for Upturn AI Summarization data freshness disclaimer Summarized information shown could be a few years old and not current.

Information icon warning about Upturn AI Fundamental Rating based on potentially old data Fundamental Rating based on AI could be based on old data.

Information icon warning about potential inaccuracies or hallucinations in Upturn AI-generated summaries AI-generated summaries may have inaccuracies (hallucinations). Please verify the information before taking action.

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.

About The9 Ltd ADR

Exchange NASDAQ
Headquarters -
IPO Launch date 2004-12-15
CEO & Director Mr. Kwok Ho Lai
Sector Financial Services
Industry Capital Markets
Full time employees 44
Full time employees 44

The9 Limited operates as a cryptocurrency mining company in China, Eastern Europe, Asia, and North America. It operates through Cryptocurrency Mining and Online game services segments. The company provides IT with technical services for the operation of computer software and related businesses, including the provision of systematic solutions for the operation of internet websites, the rental of computer and internet facilities, daily maintenance of internet servers and databases, the development and update of computer software, and other related technical and consulting services. It also develops and operates mobile and computer games, as well as publishes and services MIR M, an online game. The company was incorporated in 1999 and is headquartered in Shanghai, the People's Republic of China.