JD.com Inc. reported a return to profitability in the first quarter, marking a significant turnaround for the Chinese e-commerce giant as it works to control losses in its food-delivery segment.

The Beijing-based company's quarterly results signal improving financial performance after previous periods of losses, particularly in its competitive food-delivery business. The return to profitability comes as JD.com faces intense competition in China's e-commerce market from rivals including Alibaba and newer entrants.

The food-delivery sector has been a challenging area for many companies globally, with high operational costs and intense price competition affecting margins. JD.com's progress in narrowing these losses suggests the company's strategic initiatives in this segment may be gaining traction.

JD.com operates one of China's largest e-commerce platforms, competing directly with Alibaba's Tmall and Taobao marketplaces. The company has been investing heavily in logistics infrastructure and expanding its service offerings beyond traditional retail into areas like food delivery and financial services.