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.
Greater China Economics | China China set a 2026 GDP growth target of 4.5-5.0% yoy, in line with expectations, while maintaining a 4% fiscal deficit ratio. Fiscal policy remains the main growth driver, supported by Rmb4.4t in local government special bonds and Rmb1.3t in ultra-long treasury bonds, while monetary policy stays accommodative. Policy priorities focus on AI+, New Quality Productive Forces, industrial upgrading, and targeted consumption support, alongside welfare improvements and ...
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 ...
Greater China Sector Update | Automobile As of mid-Feb 26, over 20 Chinese provinces and cities have announced 2026 vehicle purchase subsidy schemes, aligning with the national policy that 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 PV sales forecast: 30.4m units (+3% yoy); PEV sales: 18.2m units (+19% yoy). Maintain MARKET WEIG...
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 Sector Update | Automobile 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 the local subsidies in place. Maintain MARKET WEIGHT. Top BUYs: ...
Highlights GWM posted preliminary 2025 net profit of Rmb9,912m (-22% yoy), below our estimate of Rmb10.69b and consensus estimate of Rmb12.23b. The earnings decline was due to the initial costs for the establishment of direct sales networks and R&D for the new tech platforms. We expect earnings recovery in 2026, based on the decline in the initial cost for direct sales networks and the ramp-up of the new products’ sales. To factor in higher R&D costs, we cut our 2026-27 net profit forecast...
Chinese EVs are gaining share in the global auto market, due to China’s integrated supply chain dominance and favourable trade policies. Established incumbents like BYD are facing increasing competition from fellow Chinese auto OEMs and some western brands like VW. Lower-export OEMs (Geely, XPeng) hold greater upside than high-export leaders (BYD, GWM). China’s EV export hub status benefits suppliers as foreign OEMs leverage local production. Maintain MARKET WEIGHT. Top BUYs: CATL, Ganfeng Lithi...
12 Chinese automakers set ambitious targets for 2026. Despite weak sales from 1-18 January, we maintain our PV sales forecast of 30.4m units (+3% yoy), driven by exports and EVs. Policy shifts in the EU and Canada are creating a more favourable environment for Chinese EV exports, supporting overseas growth. Maintain MARKET WEIGHT. Top BUYs: CATL, Ganfeng Lithium, Minth and Geely. Top SELL: Li Auto.
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.
Greater China Economics | Money Supply December’s monetary data was mixed. M1 growth slowed further to 3.8% yoy, slightly below expectations, while M2 growth improved to 8.5% yoy on stronger time deposits growth. On a positive note, new bank loans rebounded to Rmb0.91t, mainly driven by corporate and government borrowing, and new TSF also beat forecasts. However, outstanding bank loan growth stayed at a year-low of 6.4% yoy and TSF growth eased to 8.3% yoy, underscoring still-fragile credit ...
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.
Indonesia Company Update | Darma Henwa (DEWA IJ/BUY/Rp800/Target: Rp1,500) DEWA is entering a structural earnings upcycle driven by full in-house fleet utilisation, sharply higher operating capacity, and tighter cost control. Funding is secured to support expansion, while balance sheet optimisation could unlock dividends. With execution risk materially reduced and copper upside unpriced, we see scope for a valuation re-rating and maintain BUY with a DCF-based target price of Rp1,500. Malay...
The extension of vehicle trade-in subsidies into 2026 enhances policy continuity and consumer confidence, together forming a clear policy tailwind for a more sustainable sector outlook. Supply-side measures aimed at curbing cut-throat competition under the 15th Five-Year Plan are expected to ease price wars and stabilise industry margins and earnings expectations. Maintain MARKET WEIGHT. Top BUYs: CATL, Ganfeng Lithium, Minth and Geely. Top SELLs: Li Auto.
Greater China Economics | PMI December Manufacturing PMI rose to 50.1, back in the expansionary zone for the first time since March. Non-manufacturing PMI also improved at 50.2 (+0.7pt mom), driven by a rebound in construction activity, while services PMI remained slightly contractionary pointing to weak domestic demand. Enterprise PMI showed divergent trends, with large firms leading the improvement. Overall, the December data points to uneven recovery despite the positive headline numbers....
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...
Greater China Sector Update | Automobile 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 regain bargaining power. Key 2026 investment themes include ADAS, humanoid robotics, eVTOL and recovery of lithium carbonate prices. Maintain MARKET WEIGH...
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