Tencent Holdings reported full-year 2025 revenue of 751.8 billion yuan ($109 billion), a figure that edged past analyst forecasts. The results underscore how the company's aggressive investment in artificial intelligence is beginning to pay off across its sprawling digital empire.

In a statement, Chairman and CEO Ma Huateng pointed directly to AI as a growth driver, noting its role in sharpening advertising tools and boosting engagement within its massive gaming portfolio. The company's cloud division also reported improved revenue growth and profitability. Ma emphasized that Tencent's established, cash-rich businesses—primarily gaming and social networks—are financing a major expansion in AI talent and infrastructure.

The numbers tell the story. Domestic gaming revenue jumped 18% year-on-year to 164.2 billion yuan, powered by new releases like "Delta Force." Revenue from social networks, which includes the ubiquitous WeChat, grew 5%. The fintech and business services segment, a key area for future growth, saw an 8% increase.

While gaming remains its financial engine, Tencent is actively diversifying. Its cloud computing arm, which began a European expansion in 2025, continues to seek a larger global presence. Earlier this year, the group's cloud chief told CNBC of plans to build more data centers in the Middle East; the company has not publicly updated that strategy following recent regional instability. For the final quarter of 2025, revenue climbed 13% to 194.4 billion yuan, another sign of sustained momentum.

Source: CNBC