Citi Maintains Buy Rating on LEAPMOTOR; Third Quarter Net Profit Meets Expectations
Financial Performance: LEAPMOTOR reported a net profit of RMB150 million for 3Q25, a significant recovery from a net loss of RMB690 million in the same quarter last year, although it showed a slight decline from the previous quarter due to increased expenses.
Market Outlook: Citi maintained a Buy rating for LEAPMOTOR, setting a target price of HKD100, despite a short-term decline in net profit and a trimmed target price from CMBI to $73 while keeping the Buy rating.
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LEAPMOTOR CEO: Comprehensive Assessment Launched on Organizational Issues Revealed at Automotive Electronics Annual Meeting
Employee Complaint: An employee of LEAPMOTOR expressed dissatisfaction on social media regarding the lack of lunch and air conditioning during the company's annual meeting.
Company Response: Zhu Jiangming, the founder and CEO of LEAPMOTOR, acknowledged the complaint and committed to addressing the organizational issues highlighted by the meeting.
Review Process: LEAPMOTOR has launched a comprehensive review of the annual meeting to improve the overall process from preparation to execution.
Market Context: The company's stock is experiencing short selling activity, with a reported short selling amount of $84.65 million and a ratio of 26.605%.
Citi Supports BYD COMPANY/ PONY-W, Outlines 5 Advantages and Obstacles for China's Automotive Sector
Citi's Outlook on Chinese Carmakers: Citi has a neutral outlook for Chinese carmakers in 1Q26, predicting that BYD, Geely, and Leapmotor may outperform the market due to model updates and strong export growth, while others like Seres and Li Auto may struggle with profit margins and weak sales.
Industry Challenges and Tailwinds: The Chinese auto industry is expected to face five major tailwinds, including increased EV market share and export growth, but also five challenges such as rising costs and cautious retail growth for EVs, leading to a potential decline in wholesale and retail forecasts for FY26.
Stock Recommendations: Citi has recommended several stocks, including BYD, Pony, WeRide, Hesai, Minth Group, and Weichai Power, amidst a backdrop of short selling activity and varying market performance.
Market Conditions: The report highlights a potential end to the price war in passenger vehicles and a favorable phase for commercial vehicle demand, while also noting high inventory levels of fuel vehicles as a concern for the market.
CMBI Ratings and Target Prices for Automotive, Parts, and Related Stocks (Table)
Stock Performance: XPeng (XPEV.US) and other automotive stocks like BYD and Geely Auto are rated as "Buy," with varying target prices and short selling ratios indicating market activity and investor sentiment.
Market Predictions: CICC forecasts changes in the Hang Seng Index, suggesting new constituents like ZIJIN GOLD INTL and BEONE MEDICINES, while Standard Chartered may replace Hang Seng Bank.
Industry Insights: UBS highlights high growth targets for the Chinese auto industry, focusing on exports and intelligence, while JPMorgan anticipates a slow start for auto sales in the first quarter.
Sales Forecast Adjustments: Citi has revised its sales forecast for Li Auto, projecting a decrease for 2026-27, while maintaining a hold rating for both Li Auto and Nio.
CMBI Selects GEELY AUTO as Preferred Choice, Lowers 2026 NEV Sales Projections
CMBI's Sales Forecast: CMBI maintains a forecast for a 0.1% YoY decline in retail sales and a 2.9% YoY increase in wholesale sales of passenger vehicles in China, influenced by disappointing sales data from late last year.
New Energy Vehicles Adjustments: The growth forecast for new energy vehicles has been revised down to 12.6% for retail and 15.1% for wholesale sales due to stricter trade-in subsidy requirements.
Earnings Forecast Changes: CMBI has lowered its 4Q25 earnings forecasts for several automakers, including GWMOTOR, XPENG-W, LEAPMOTOR, and GAC GROUP, due to poor sales performance.
Positive Outlook for BYD and Others: Conversely, CMBI raised earnings forecasts for BYD, NIO, and LI AUTO, while maintaining its forecasts for GEELY AUTO, which it selected as a top pick with a Buy rating and a target price of HKD25.
JPM Projects Tepid Beginning for China's Auto Sales in Q1, Passenger Vehicle Demand Expected to Stay Low
Stock Performance of Chinese OEMs: Chinese OEMs have seen a 1% decline in stock performance year-to-date, contrasting with a 6% increase in the MSCI China Index, primarily due to weak auto sales in the first quarter of 2026.
Impact of Government Policies: Despite updates to the automotive trade subsidy policy, passenger car demand remains pressured by factors like weak consumer confidence and a cautious buyer attitude, as noted by JPMorgan.
Shift in Competitive Landscape: The competitive environment in China's automotive industry is expected to transition from price wars to value creation, favoring companies that excel in autonomous driving, AI, cost control, and international expansion.
Investment Recommendations: JPMorgan forecasts a potential bottoming out for certain OEMs in Q2 2026 and suggests investors consider XPENG and NIO for potential gains, while remaining cautious about LI AUTO.
BYD Shares Increase 4% as Auto Manufacturers Surge Following CN-EU Agreement on EV Tariffs
EU-China Tariff Agreement: The European Union has reached a consensus with China regarding tariffs on electric vehicles, requiring Chinese exporters to submit price commitment letters before entering the EU market.
Auto Stocks Performance: Following the tariff announcement, several Chinese carmakers, including BYD, CHERY, and GEELY, saw significant stock price increases, with BYD rising by nearly 4% and other brands also experiencing gains.
LEAPMOTOR CEO: Comprehensive Assessment Launched on Organizational Issues Revealed at Automotive Electronics Annual Meeting
Employee Complaint: An employee of LEAPMOTOR expressed dissatisfaction on social media regarding the lack of lunch and air conditioning during the company's annual meeting.
Company Response: Zhu Jiangming, the founder and CEO of LEAPMOTOR, acknowledged the complaint and committed to addressing the organizational issues highlighted by the meeting.
Review Process: LEAPMOTOR has launched a comprehensive review of the annual meeting to improve the overall process from preparation to execution.
Market Context: The company's stock is experiencing short selling activity, with a reported short selling amount of $84.65 million and a ratio of 26.605%.
Citi Supports BYD COMPANY/ PONY-W, Outlines 5 Advantages and Obstacles for China's Automotive Sector
Citi's Outlook on Chinese Carmakers: Citi has a neutral outlook for Chinese carmakers in 1Q26, predicting that BYD, Geely, and Leapmotor may outperform the market due to model updates and strong export growth, while others like Seres and Li Auto may struggle with profit margins and weak sales.
Industry Challenges and Tailwinds: The Chinese auto industry is expected to face five major tailwinds, including increased EV market share and export growth, but also five challenges such as rising costs and cautious retail growth for EVs, leading to a potential decline in wholesale and retail forecasts for FY26.
Stock Recommendations: Citi has recommended several stocks, including BYD, Pony, WeRide, Hesai, Minth Group, and Weichai Power, amidst a backdrop of short selling activity and varying market performance.
Market Conditions: The report highlights a potential end to the price war in passenger vehicles and a favorable phase for commercial vehicle demand, while also noting high inventory levels of fuel vehicles as a concern for the market.
CMBI Ratings and Target Prices for Automotive, Parts, and Related Stocks (Table)
Stock Performance: XPeng (XPEV.US) and other automotive stocks like BYD and Geely Auto are rated as "Buy," with varying target prices and short selling ratios indicating market activity and investor sentiment.
Market Predictions: CICC forecasts changes in the Hang Seng Index, suggesting new constituents like ZIJIN GOLD INTL and BEONE MEDICINES, while Standard Chartered may replace Hang Seng Bank.
Industry Insights: UBS highlights high growth targets for the Chinese auto industry, focusing on exports and intelligence, while JPMorgan anticipates a slow start for auto sales in the first quarter.
Sales Forecast Adjustments: Citi has revised its sales forecast for Li Auto, projecting a decrease for 2026-27, while maintaining a hold rating for both Li Auto and Nio.
CMBI Selects GEELY AUTO as Preferred Choice, Lowers 2026 NEV Sales Projections
CMBI's Sales Forecast: CMBI maintains a forecast for a 0.1% YoY decline in retail sales and a 2.9% YoY increase in wholesale sales of passenger vehicles in China, influenced by disappointing sales data from late last year.
New Energy Vehicles Adjustments: The growth forecast for new energy vehicles has been revised down to 12.6% for retail and 15.1% for wholesale sales due to stricter trade-in subsidy requirements.
Earnings Forecast Changes: CMBI has lowered its 4Q25 earnings forecasts for several automakers, including GWMOTOR, XPENG-W, LEAPMOTOR, and GAC GROUP, due to poor sales performance.
Positive Outlook for BYD and Others: Conversely, CMBI raised earnings forecasts for BYD, NIO, and LI AUTO, while maintaining its forecasts for GEELY AUTO, which it selected as a top pick with a Buy rating and a target price of HKD25.
JPM Projects Tepid Beginning for China's Auto Sales in Q1, Passenger Vehicle Demand Expected to Stay Low
Stock Performance of Chinese OEMs: Chinese OEMs have seen a 1% decline in stock performance year-to-date, contrasting with a 6% increase in the MSCI China Index, primarily due to weak auto sales in the first quarter of 2026.
Impact of Government Policies: Despite updates to the automotive trade subsidy policy, passenger car demand remains pressured by factors like weak consumer confidence and a cautious buyer attitude, as noted by JPMorgan.
Shift in Competitive Landscape: The competitive environment in China's automotive industry is expected to transition from price wars to value creation, favoring companies that excel in autonomous driving, AI, cost control, and international expansion.
Investment Recommendations: JPMorgan forecasts a potential bottoming out for certain OEMs in Q2 2026 and suggests investors consider XPENG and NIO for potential gains, while remaining cautious about LI AUTO.
BYD Shares Increase 4% as Auto Manufacturers Surge Following CN-EU Agreement on EV Tariffs
EU-China Tariff Agreement: The European Union has reached a consensus with China regarding tariffs on electric vehicles, requiring Chinese exporters to submit price commitment letters before entering the EU market.
Auto Stocks Performance: Following the tariff announcement, several Chinese carmakers, including BYD, CHERY, and GEELY, saw significant stock price increases, with BYD rising by nearly 4% and other brands also experiencing gains.
