Top Stories Sector Update | Automobile China's humanoid robotics sector is accelerating, with 2025 global shipments up 508%. Key players anticipate significant revenue contributions by 2031: CATL expects 3-7% from batteries; Minth and LeaderDrive project 5-12% and 45-65% respectively; Tuopu forecasts 15-25% from motion systems; and RoboSense targets 40-60% from LiDAR. We maintain a MARKET WEIGHT rating on the sector. Top BUY recommendations include CATL, Ganfeng Lithium, Minth (target price rais...
Baidu’s 4Q25 earnings beat our expectations. Revenue dropped 4% yoy to Rmb32.7b, in line with consensus estimate. Gross margin shrank 3ppt yoy to 44.2%, exceeding consensus expectation. Non-GAAP operating profit was Rmb2.3b, plunging 55% yoy, while non-GAAP operating profit margin came in at 7%. Non-GAAP net profit slumped 42% yoy to Rmb3.9b, beating consensus forecasts. Maintain BUY with a slightly lower target price of HK$175.00 (US$194.00).
What’s new: Baidu’s reported 4Q25 core revs that were largely in line with consensus but below our expectations. Baidu Core AI-powered business revs reached more than RMB11bn, accounting for 43% of the overall Baidu Core revs. The contribution from AI-powered businesses could continue to inch up in 2026. Margins could be adversely impacted by the continued investments in AI. We maintain our PT at USD170. Analysts: Jin Yoon
Today, we are publishing the Ride-sharing and delivery section of our 30th Tech Infrastructure Quarterly Bible. The Tech Bible is a must-read for any tech investor, as it summarizes the quarterly earnings reports from the over 140 companies we track, providing an update on our key perspectives and convictions. In the coming weeks we will publish sections on Smartphones, Automotive, Memory, Hyperscale & Cloud, Telecom Equipment, Industrials, PCs, Enterprise IT, Foundry, and Semicap Equipment. Ri...
Chinese equities recovered in January, with the HSI and MSCI China rising 6.9% and 5.0% mom respectively. Given the supportive macro policy environment, we maintain a constructive view on the markets despite the risk of further volatility in February. Accordingly, we are adding Alibaba, Ganfeng Lithium, and Minth to our BUY list, and Meituan to our SELL list.
To-C applications growth is accelerating among mega-cap players with super apps, while emerging unicorns focus on To- B and To-prosumers in specific AI scenarios/verticals and on physical AI in verticals such as mobility and smartphone. For the next 6-12 months, we are eyeing key AI narratives: a) rollout of super apps leveraging on agentic AI, b) leading LLMs in specific verticals unlocking monetisation potential, and c) key drivers of cloud revenue growth. Maintain OVERWEIGHT. Top BUYs: Baidu,...
Highlights To-C applications growth is accelerating among mega-cap players with super apps, while emerging unicorns focus on To-B and To-prosumers in specific AI scenarios/verticals and on physical AI in verticals such as mobility and smartphone. For the next 6-12 months, we are eyeing key AI narratives: a) roll-out of super apps leveraging on agentic AI, b) leading LLMs in specific verticals unlocking monetisation potential, and c) key drivers of cloud revenue growth. Over time, we expect fur...
What’s New: We maintain our Baidu Core total rev estimates as YoY decline in ads could continue to narrow in 4Q25. AI Cloud infrastructure rev growth could also remain resilient in FY25 despite tougher comps in the other subsegments of cloud. We up our PT from US$140 to US$170 partly due to multiples rerating on AI including a potential IPO of its chip business in 2026. Our updated PT of US$170 implies a 22.6x FY26E P/E. We maintain our BUY rating. Analysts: Jin Yoon
We reckon that the AI wave is driven by key themes including: a) recurring AI LLM/applications and cloud revenue growth, and b) a wider deployment of proprietary and data driven AI agents by vertical players to strengthen competitive moats. Amid an uncertain competitive backdrop, we opine that cloud hyper-scalers are key beneficiaries underpinned by their ecosystem scale and technological capabilities, underscoring growing investor confidence in the AI-driven sector’s re-rating. Maintain OVERWEI...
We are optimistic on Baidu as the Kunlunxin spin-off could help unlock financial value for Baidu and strengthen its AI ecosystem. Baidu announced that on 1 Jan 26, Kunlunxin applied for a listing on the HK Stock Exchange. Following the spin-off, Kunlunxin will remain a consolidated subsidiary, with Baidu retaining a controlling 59% stake. Maintain BUY with a higher target price of HK$166.00 (US$185.00).
Top Stories Company Update | Baidu (9888 HK/BUY/HK$146.60/Target: HK$166.00) We are optimistic on Baidu as the Kunlunxin spin-off could help unlock financial value for Baidu and strengthen its AI ecosystem. Baidu announced that on 1 Jan 26, Kunlunxin applied for a listing on the HK Stock Exchange. Following the spin-off, Kunlunxin will remain a consolidated subsidiary, with Baidu retaining a controlling 59% stake. Maintain BUY with a higher target price of HK$166.00 (US$185.00). Company Update...
Chinese equities remained in consolidation through December, with the HSI and MSCI China down 0.9% mom and 1.5% mom, respectively, despite last week’s window dressing narrowing losses. Policy signals from the Economic Work Conference broadly met expectations. Looking ahead, we are constructive on 1Q26, supported by a favourable global liquidity cycle and potential macro supportive measures in China. We retain most of our December picks, add Baidu and Midea to BUY, and take profit on Li Auto and ...
China’s internet companies reported resilient 3Q25 top-line growth and continuous margin improvement in the online gaming and OTA sectors, empowered by improved AI efficiency and benign competition. Margin pressure in e-commerce due to the intense on-demand delivery competition is likely to ease in 4Q25, but could persist into 2026 given the continuous investment and tough comparison base boosted by the trade-in programme in 2025. Maintain MARKET WEIGHT. Top BUYs: Alibaba, Tencent, TCOM, TME, Ne...
Today, we are publishing the Ride-sharing and delivery section of our 29th Tech Infrastructure Quarterly Bible. The Tech Bible is a must-read for any tech investor, as it summarizes the quarterly earnings reports from the over 140 companies we track, providing an update on our key perspectives and convictions. In the coming weeks we will publish sections on Automotive, Memory, Hyperscale & Cloud, Telecom Equipment, Industrials, PCs, Enterprise IT, Foundry, and Semicap Equipment. Bookings across...
What’s new: Baidu’s reported 3Q25 core revs that were largely in line with consensus and our expectations. Baidu Core ad rev YoY decline could further narrow in 4Q partly driven by continued monetization of AI-native ad products. Margins could also fare better in 4Q compared to 3Q as BIDU would remain disciplined in AI spending. We maintain our PT at USD140. Analysts: Jin Yoon
Baidu’s 3Q25 earnings missed our expectations. Revenue dropped 7% yoy to Rmb31.2b, in line with consensus estimate. Gross margin dropped 10ppt yoy to 41.2%, below consensus expectation. Non-GAAP operating profit was Rmb2.2b, plunging 69% yoy, while non-GAAP operating profit margin came in at 7%. Non-GAAP net profit slumped 36% yoy to Rmb3.8b, beating consensus forecast. Maintain BUY with an unchanged target price of HK$151.00 (US$167.00).
Top Stories Initiate Coverage | Pony AI Inc (PONY US/BUY/US$12.18/Target: US$26.10) Pony AI is a global leader in autonomous mobility, leveraging its virtual driver technology to enable the mass production and deployment of autonomous vehicles across diverse regions. We expect revenue to grow at a three-year CAGR of 65% from 2024-27, net loss to narrow, and bottom line to turn around in 2028, driven by large-scale commercialisation. Initiate coverage with BUY and a target price of US$26.10 for ...
Greater China Initiate Coverage | Pony AI Inc (PONY US/BUY/US$12.18/Target: US$26.10) Pony AI is a global leader in autonomous mobility, leveraging its virtual driver technology to enable the mass production and deployment of autonomous vehicles across diverse regions. We expect revenue to grow at a three-year CAGR of 65% from 2024-27, net loss to narrow, and bottom line to turn around in 2028, driven by large-scale commercialisation. Initiate coverage with BUY and a target price of US$26.10...
What’s New: We maintain our Baidu Core total rev estimates in the 2H as ads would continue to be adversely impacted by restructuring of AI search. Cloud could continue to decelerate in the 2H partly due to tougher comps. We up our PT from US$110 to US$140 partly due to multiples rerating on AI. Our updated PT of US$140 implies an 18.8x FY26E P/E. We maintain our BUY rating. Analysts: Jin Yoon
The growing robotaxi ecosystem is drawing an increasing number of new entrants, including autonomous service providers and ride-hailing platforms. We expect technological maturity, policy support and better fleet economics to drive a major expansion wave for the robotaxi industry into 2H25/2026, with China’s robotaxi fleet size expected to grow ten-fold during this period. We see material development and monetisation progress of Robotaxi, sparking renewed investor interest. Key companies riding ...
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