GFL’s 4Q25 GAAP net profit came in above estimates at Rmb1,587m (+185.1% qoq), and adjusted net profit turned positive at Rmb557m. Earnings will be driven by a recovery of lithium carbonate prices, ramp-up of upstream projects and battery sales. Maintain our 2026/27 net profit forecasts at Rmb3.21b/Rmb5.24b, and introduce our 2028 net profit forecast of Rmb5.35b. Maintain BUY with unchanged target prices of HK$90.00/Rmb80.00for H-share/A-share.
Top Stories Economics | PMI March's PMI beat Bloomberg's consensus, with manufacturing PMI rebounding to 50.4 (+1.4pt mom) and non-manufacturing PMI returning to expansion at 50.1 (+0.6pt mom), as post-CNY activity resumed, though recovery diverged between services and construction industries. New export orders sub-index improved to 49.1 (+4.1pt mom) for manufacturing PMI and 48.8 (+4.1pt mom) for services PMI, pointing to genuine recovery in external demand. However, the purchase prices sub-in...
The US-Iran conflict boosted oil prices, accelerating EV adoption but causing minimal short-term cost shock to China's auto industry. February deliveries met expectations, with exports offsetting weak domestic demand. BYD unveiled new technology while Xpeng launched its smart driving system. Maintain MARKET WEIGHT. Top BUYs include CATL and Geely, while Li Auto is our top SELL.
Chinese equities consolidated further in February, with the HSI and MSCI China Index declining 2.8% mom and 5.6% mom, respectively. March is expected to be volatile, as there are signs that the Middle East conflict could last for a while. We focus on names which have greater domestic exposure, adding Anta, China Duty Free, FII, Futu, Kuaishou and Tencent to our BUY list.
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 raised to HK$62.00), and Geely, while Li Au...
As of mid-Feb 26, over 20 Chinese provinces and cities have announced 2026 vehicle purchase subsidy schemes, aligning with the national policy that has shifted to percentage-based subsidies (favouring mid-range to high-end vehicles) from 2025’s fixed amounts. This supports premium segments and market stability but may not fully counter the new 5% EV tax. 2026 sales forecasts: PV ‒ 30.4m units (+3% yoy); PEV ‒ 18.2m units (+19% yoy). Maintain MARKET WEIGHT. Top BUYs: CATL, Ganfeng Lithium, Minth ...
CATL, BYD, and Changan are deploying SIBs in EVs due to longer cycle lives, strong cold-weather performance and better fire safety. SIB-equipped EV sales are projected to make up 4-9% of global EV sales. LIBs remain dominant, but CATL benefits from diversification. The lithium market is expected to stay resilient through 2030. The hike in lithium carbonate costs will mostly be borne by auto OEMs. Maintain MARKET WEIGHT; BUY CATL, Ganfeng Lithium, Minth, Geely; SELL Li Auto.
CPCA estimates January China passenger NEV wholesale sales at 900,000 units (+1% yoy/-42% mom), with front-loaded purchases ahead of the reduced purchase tax and delayed local subsidies weighing on volumes. Automakers with ICE-car exposure, such as Geely Auto and Great Wall Motor, saw relatively resilient January sales. We expect China’s auto sales to recover after Chinese New Year, with local subsidies in place. Maintain MARKET WEIGHT. Top BUYs: CATL, Ganfeng Lithium, Minth and Geely. Top SELL:...
Greater China Strategy | Alpha Picks: February Conviction Calls 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. Indonesia Strategy | Alpha Picks: From MSCI Shock To Policy-Driven Rebala...
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.
Top Stories Sector Update | Healthcare At the recent investor conference, global investors viewed Chinese healthcare companies with increasing interest and optimism. Impressed by their advanced R&D pipelines and swift R&D-to-market execution capabilities, investors recognised Chinese companies’ potential for innovation and growth, particularly as they presented an array of cutting-edge products ready for global markets. This positive perception reflects a growing confidence in China's healthcar...
China is cancelling VAT rebates for ESS battery exports, pulling forward demand for batteries and lithium carbonate to 2026, thus benefitting CATL and Ganfeng Lithium. The EU has set minimum prices for Chinese EVs as an alternative to the extra tariff, boding well for profitability of Chinese OEMs like Geely, BYD and XPeng. Maintain MARKET WEIGHT. Top BUYs: CATL, Ganfeng Lithium, Minth and Geely. Top SELL: Li Auto.
We trim China’s 2026 PV sales growth to 3% yoy, based on a 2% yoy drop in domestic sales and 20% export growth, as the bigger-than-expected stimulus rollback weighs on demand. Based on lower 2026 sales, we cut 2026 net profit forecasts for OEMs by 3-10%, and cut target prices for Geely, BYD, GWM, XPeng and Li Auto to HK$36.00/HK$81.00/HK$18.50/HK$145.00/HK$50.00 respectively. Maintain MARKET WEIGHT. Top BUYs: CATL, Ganfeng Lithium, Minth and Geely. Top SELL: Li Auto.
The phasing out of local car trade-in subsidies has hammered auto sales. PEV sales fell 17% yoy during the first week of December. Subsidies will resume in early-26 and trigger a sales rebound. We expect PV sales and EV sales to grow 4.9% and over 20.0% in 2026 respectively, driven by exports. Geely is catching up with BYD in terms of market share (12.1% vs 13.8%). Maintain MARKET WEIGHT. Top BUYs: CATL, Ganfeng Lithium, Minth and Geely. Top SELL: Li Auto.
We expect China’s vehicle wholesale shipment to grow 4.9% to 35.7m units in 2026, with EV shipments surging 22.9% and exports rising 20.8%. The anti-involution policy and subsidy rollback will curb overall sales growth but improve OEM margins by banning price wars, while auto parts suppliers will regain bargaining power. Key 2026 investment themes include ADAS, humanoid robotics, eVTOL and recovery of lithium carbonate prices. Maintain MARKET WEIGHT. Top BUYs: CATL, Ganfeng Lithium, Minth and Ge...
Auto Guangzhou 2025 highlighted intelligent electrification, all-scenario NOA, smart cockpits, EREVs, and futuristic concepts like flying cars and humanoid robots. Stock winners: Geely, XPeng, GWM; supply chain beneficiaries: CATL, Fuyao, Tuopu, Desay SV, Minth, BYD and Li Auto are expected to face margin pressures in 2026. Maintain MARKET WEIGHT. Top BUYs: CATL, Geely, XPeng and Minth. Top SELLs: BYD and Li Auto.
China’s PV retail sales basically remained flat yoy in Oct 25, while PEV retail sales grew 7% yoy. PV retail sales fell 19% yoy and 4% mom in 1-9 Nov 25, mainly due to the high base. China has launched a three-month crackdown on exaggerated auto ads to curb false claims, restore market order, and strengthen consumer trust. Maintain MARKET WEIGHT. Top BUYs: CATL and Geely. Top SELLs: BYD and Li Auto.
The anti-involution policy boosted OEMs’ 3Q25 earnings by ending the price war. However, the industry disruptor BYD saw worsened liquidity due to sales slowdown and inventory pile-up. Auto part companies saw margin erosion in 3Q25 due to delayed impacts from the OEMs’ price war, but 4Q25 margin will stabilise. Maintain MARKET WEIGHT. Top BUYs: CATL and Geely. Top SELLs: BYD and Li Auto. Cut target price for Li Auto to HK$60.0. Raise target price for Weichai to HK$24.50.
Ganfeng Lithium’s 3Q25 results beat our expectation, with net profit making a turnaround to Rmb557m (+364.0% yoy). This brings 9M25 net profit to Rmb26m. We change our 2025 net loss forecast of Rmb149m to a net profit of Rmb407m. We also raise our 2026-27 earnings forecasts by 42%/21% to Rmb1,925m/Rmb3,309m respectively, based on higher sales volume and gross margin. Upgrade from HOLD to BUY and increase the target price from HK$40.00 to HK$78.00 for Hshare. Our rating and target price for A-sha...
China’s PV insurance registrations grew 16.9% yoy but fell 30.4% wow in the 27th week of 2025 due to the roll-back of promotional discounts, in line with expectations. On 9 July, BYD announced L4 smart parking and promised to take responsibility for any losses incurred; Geely unveiled the ground-breaking SEA-S platform and its new flagship hybrid SUV, Zeekr 9X. Chongqing recently announced a new EV subsidies policy. Maintain MARKET WEIGHT. Top BUYs: CATL, Geely and Tuopu.
Unfortunately, this report is not available for the investor type or country you selected.
Report is subscription only.
Thank you, your report is ready.
Thank you, your report is ready.