Games and Mobile Payments Power Tencent Earnings

Internet giant benefitting from Chinese consumers increasing reliance on smartphones

BEIJING—Internet giant Tencent Holdings Ltd. blew past expectations on Wednesday, reporting a 61% increase in net profit in the first three months of the year on the strength of mobile games and other digital content, and its fast-growing mobile payments business.

Tencent’s earnings for the quarter offer a window into the forces shaping China’s consumers, who are increasingly relying on their smartphones for entertainment content and making purchases.

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