Financial Performance - In 2024, the company achieved a revenue of RMB 474.25 million, representing a year-on-year growth of 51.8%[9] - The company's revenue increased from RMB 312.4 million in 2023 to RMB 474.3 million in 2024, representing a year-on-year growth of 51.8%[18] - Revenue increased by 51.8% from RMB 312.4 million in 2023 to RMB 474.3 million in 2024, driven by sales of autonomous driving products and solutions[30] - Revenue from autonomous driving products and solutions rose by 58.5% from RMB 276.3 million in 2023 to RMB 438.0 million in 2024, attributed to increased sales to major domestic automotive OEMs and enhanced market penetration[31] - Overall gross profit surged by 152.4% from RMB 77.1 million in 2023 to RMB 194.7 million in 2024, with an overall gross margin improvement from 24.7% to 41.1%[36] - Gross margin improved from 24.7% in 2023 to 41.1% in 2024[18] - The company reported a significant operating loss of RMB 1.75 billion for 2024, reflecting ongoing investment in technology and product development[8] - The adjusted net loss for the year ended December 31, 2024, was RMB (1,304,251) thousand, compared to an adjusted net loss of RMB (1,254,247) thousand for 2023[46] - The company recorded a profit of RMB 313.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to a loss of RMB 4,855.1 million in 2023[45] Product Development and Innovation - The A1000 series chips have been scaled for delivery in multiple models from leading domestic automotive manufacturers[9] - The newly launched A2000 series chips are designed for next-generation AI models, outperforming current flagship chips and supporting various applications beyond automotive[12] - The company introduced a new NPU architecture, Jiushao, which enhances computational efficiency and supports large models, alongside a new AI toolchain, BaRT[13] - The C1200 series chips are expected to enter mass production in 2025, with two OEM partnerships already established[11] - The A2000 series is expected to begin large-scale production in 2025, focusing on applications in robotics and emerging AI scenarios[16] - The C1200 series cross-domain integration chips completed functional verification for urban NoA (Navigation on Autopilot) in 2024, with deep collaborations established with several OEMs[19] - The company has achieved mass production delivery of the high-speed NoA solution based on the A1000 chip and will develop urban NoA solutions using the C1200 and A2000 chips in 2025[23] - The company anticipates bulk shipments in the robotics sector by 2025, leveraging AI edge inference technology and collaborating with multiple robotics companies[24] Market Position and Strategy - The core self-developed IP and NPU architecture are identified as key competitive advantages in the smart driving chip market[13] - The market share for the company's chips in the high-speed NoA segment ranks third among traditional independent brands[10] - The competitive landscape in the smart driving chip sector is expected to consolidate, with only a few leading companies likely to dominate the high-end assisted driving market[14] - The company aims to achieve operational profitability in the medium term by optimizing cost structures and enhancing product competitiveness[17] - The company is expanding its application scenarios to include commercial vehicles and integrated vehicle-road-cloud solutions, accelerating the commercialization process[21] - The company has established pilot projects for integrated vehicle-road-cloud solutions in multiple cities, enhancing its market position[21] Financial Health and Assets - Total assets increased to RMB 2.32 billion in 2024, while total liabilities decreased to RMB 1.22 billion[8] - As of December 31, 2024, the company's cash and cash equivalents amounted to RMB 1,622.9 million, an increase from RMB 1,306.6 million as of December 31, 2023[47] - The total liabilities as of December 31, 2024, were RMB 722,612 thousand, a significant decrease from RMB 12,644,941 thousand as of December 31, 2023[49] - The company's debt-to-equity ratio as of December 31, 2024, was 61.7%, compared to 0% as of December 31, 2023[53] Governance and Corporate Structure - The company has not separated the roles of Chairman and CEO, believing this structure ensures leadership consistency and effective strategic planning[61] - The board consists of three executive directors, one non-executive director, and three independent non-executive directors, maintaining strong independence[61] - The company is committed to supporting employee development through training and professional development programs, ensuring equal learning opportunities[62] - The company has a strict equal employment opportunity policy to foster an inclusive work environment, prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender, or sexual orientation[63] - The board has adopted a diversity policy and conducts annual assessments of the independence of non-executive directors[68] - The board meets at least four times a year, ensuring timely communication and preparation for meetings[70] - The company emphasizes high standards of business ethics and integrity in all operations, with clear standards outlined in training materials[64] - The board is responsible for guiding and supervising the company's affairs, ensuring good risk management and internal control systems[69] Risk Management and Compliance - The company has established a comprehensive risk management system to address operational, compliance, information security, and investment risks[95][98][101] - The company has implemented a centralized intellectual property management system to protect its intellectual property rights[100] - The company has a whistleblowing mechanism to encourage internal reporting of suspicious activities, promoting a culture of compliance and ethical behavior[103] - The company has a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption, prohibiting any corrupt activities by employees[102] - The internal audit department is responsible for reviewing the effectiveness of internal controls and reporting significant issues to the audit committee[105] - The audit committee reviews the company's risk management and internal control systems, finding them effective and adequate[105] Shareholder Communication and Relations - The company emphasizes effective communication with shareholders to enhance investor relations and transparency, utilizing financial reports and shareholder meetings[109] - The company has implemented a shareholder communication policy to ensure timely and equal access to information for shareholders[115] - The company encourages shareholders to provide their email addresses for timely communication and updates[112] - The company’s website serves as a platform for communication with shareholders and investors, regularly updating information including financial statements and announcements[113] - The board has reviewed the effectiveness of the shareholder communication policy and found it to be effectively executed[115] Employee and Director Information - The company employed 973 employees as of December 31, 2024, with a focus on attracting and retaining qualified personnel[51] - The management team includes experienced professionals with backgrounds in finance, technology, and law, enhancing the company's strategic capabilities[177][178][179] - The company has purchased and maintained appropriate insurance for its directors[192] - Details regarding the remuneration of directors and the five highest-paid individuals are included in the annual report's financial statements[193] Share Options and Equity Plans - The company has adopted a post-IPO share plan effective from January 2023, which will be reviewed and approved by the remuneration committee[92] - The maximum number of shares that may be issued under the pre-IPO share scheme is 156,847,868, representing approximately 27.56% of the issued share capital as of December 31, 2024[150] - The pre-IPO share scheme is set to automatically terminate 10 years from the date of adoption by the board, with approximately 6.7 years remaining[151] - The total number of options granted under the pre-IPO share option plan amounts to 134,158,761 shares, with a range of exercise prices from $0.035 to $0.70[155] - The company has a structured vesting schedule for options, ensuring alignment with long-term performance goals[155]

Core Insights - 2024 is a significant year for autonomous driving companies, with 15 firms planning to go public, indicating strong market interest and potential growth in the sector [1] - The financial performance of these companies varies, with some achieving substantial revenue growth while others remain in the investment phase [2] Group 1: Financial Performance - Horizon Robotics achieved a revenue of 2.384 billion yuan in 2024, a 53.6% increase year-on-year, with a net profit of 2.347 billion yuan [3] - Black Sesame Intelligence reported a revenue of 474 million yuan, up 51.8% year-on-year, with a net profit of 313 million yuan [3] - Both companies, despite their profitability, reported adjusted net losses of 1.681 billion yuan and 1.304 billion yuan respectively, indicating ongoing financial challenges [4] Group 2: R&D Investment - R&D investment is a significant concern in the industry, with Black Sesame's R&D spending reaching 1.435 billion yuan, a 5.3% increase from 2023, and Horizon's R&D investment at 3.156 billion yuan, a 33.4% increase [4] - Horizon's R&D expenditure accounted for 132.4% of its total revenue, highlighting the heavy financial burden of innovation in the sector [4] Group 3: Market Trends and Challenges - The L2 level assisted driving function installation rate in new energy passenger vehicles reached 67.8% in 2024, a 12.5 percentage point increase from 2023, indicating growing market adoption [3] - The L4 level autonomous driving market, represented by Robotaxi services, is experiencing slower development compared to L2, despite significant policy support and market potential [5][7] - Small Horse Intelligent and WeRide reported revenue growth of 4.35% and a 10% decline respectively, with both companies still in a loss-making position [6] Group 4: Future Outlook - The Robotaxi market is projected to reach 488.8 billion yuan in China by 2030, indicating substantial future growth potential [7] - Small Horse Intelligent aims to achieve breakeven on a per-vehicle basis by 2025, emphasizing the need for expanded operational scale to support high R&D costs [7]

Investment Rating - The report assigns an "Overweight" rating to the company with a target price of HKD 19.6, based on a 14x price-to-sales (P/S) ratio for 2025 [3]. Core Insights - The smart driving SoC chip market is expected to reach a trillion scale, with domestic chip manufacturers emerging prominently. The market penetration for L2 and above passenger vehicles is projected to exceed 12 million units in 2024, with a penetration rate of 55.8%, and is expected to reach 93.5% in China by 2028 [1][42]. - The company is positioned with a dual-line layout of high-performance SoC and cross-domain SoC, focusing on both smart driving and robotics applications [1][16]. - The company has developed proprietary automotive-grade IP cores, enhancing technical flexibility and reducing costs associated with external suppliers [2]. Company Overview - The company is a leading supplier of automotive-grade smart driving chips, benefiting from the smart driving chip wave. It was established in 2016 and is set to be listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on August 8, 2024, with an issue price of HKD 28 [13]. - The business structure includes high-performance SoC and cross-domain SoC, with the Huashan and Wudang series chips catering to L2 to L4 level smart driving and cross-domain computing needs [16][17]. Financial Analysis - The company forecasts revenues of RMB 8.86 billion, RMB 14.84 billion, and RMB 21.78 billion for 2025, 2026, and 2027, respectively, with a significant increase in revenue driven by the smart driving solutions [3][27]. - The revenue growth rate is expected to be 88.82% in 2023, 51.81% in 2024, and 86.76% in 2025, indicating a strong upward trend [7]. - The gross margin for smart driving solutions is projected to improve significantly, reaching 37.4% in 2024, up from 21.4% in 2023 [33]. Industry Insights - The smart driving SoC and humanoid robot markets are projected to reach a trillion scale, with domestic manufacturers gaining traction [1][51]. - The penetration rate of smart driving in China is expected to grow rapidly, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 33.8% from 2019 to 2023, outpacing the global growth rate of 28.5% [42][45]. - The ADAS technology is becoming standard in smart vehicles, with the SoC market expected to expand significantly as L2+ and higher-level smart driving technologies become more prevalent [49][50].

Company Overview - The report rates the company as "Buy" with a target price of HKD 19.6, based on a 14x price-to-sales (P/S) ratio for 2025 [3] - The company is a leading supplier of automotive-grade intelligent driving chips, benefiting from the wave of intelligent driving chip demand [13][27] - The company has launched the Huashan series (high-performance SoC) and the Wudang series (cross-domain SoC) to meet the needs of L2 to L4 level intelligent driving and cross-domain computing [16][19] Core Insights - The intelligent driving SoC chip market is expected to reach a trillion scale, with domestic chip manufacturers emerging [1] - The penetration rate of L2 and above passenger cars in China is projected to exceed 12 million units in 2024, with a penetration rate of 55.8%, and is expected to reach 93.5% by 2028 [1][42] - The company has developed self-researched automotive-grade IP cores, enhancing technical flexibility and reducing costs associated with external suppliers [2] Financial Performance - The company is set to go public on August 8, 2024, with an issuance price of HKD 28 and total fundraising of HKD 1.036 billion [3] - Revenue is projected to grow from RMB 312 million in 2023 to RMB 2.178 billion by 2027, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 86.76% from 2025 to 2026 [7][27] - The company achieved a net profit of RMB 313 million in 2024, recovering from a loss of RMB 4.855 billion in 2023 [7][38] Industry Insights - The intelligent driving market is experiencing rapid growth, with a compound annual growth rate of 33.8% in China from 2019 to 2023, outpacing the global growth rate of 28.5% [42] - The ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) technology is becoming standard in intelligent vehicles, driving the expansion of the SoC market [49] - The domestic chip manufacturers are accelerating their rise against foreign competitors, with significant market share expected by 2028 [55][60]

Investment Rating - The investment rating for the company is "Outperform the Market" [5][43]. Core Insights - The company is expected to achieve a revenue of 474 million yuan in 2024, representing a year-on-year growth of 52%. The net profit is projected to be 313 million yuan, a significant recovery from a loss of 4.86 billion yuan in 2023, primarily due to a fair value change gain of financial instruments [1][8]. - The revenue from autonomous driving products and solutions is anticipated to reach 438 million yuan in 2024, marking a 58.5% increase, driven by sales to leading domestic car manufacturers and an increase in the number of mass-produced models [10][19]. - The company is actively expanding into the robotics sector, with expectations for chip products and solutions to begin mass shipments in 2025 [3][35]. Summary by Sections Financial Performance - In 2024, the company achieved a gross margin of 41.06%, an increase of 16.4 percentage points year-on-year. The gross margin for autonomous driving products and solutions was 37.4%, up 16.0 percentage points [2][14]. - The company’s total revenue for 2024 is projected at 474 million yuan, with a year-on-year growth of 51.8%. The adjusted operating loss is expected to be 1.304 billion yuan, compared to 1.254 billion yuan in 2023 [8][43]. Product Development and Market Position - The A1000 series chips have been mass-produced and delivered to major car manufacturers such as Geely, Dongfeng, and BYD. The company has achieved nationwide coverage for its high-speed Navigation on Autopilot (NoA) solutions [18][19]. - The company is also focusing on the development of the A2000 chip series, which supports a wide range of autonomous driving scenarios, including urban NoA and fully autonomous Robotaxi applications [31][35]. Future Outlook - The company plans to deepen collaborations with leading automotive manufacturers and explore overseas market opportunities. It aims to enhance its product matrix and application scenarios, particularly in the commercial vehicle sector [29][33]. - The company is expected to continue benefiting from increased demand for intelligent driving chips, with revenue projections for 2025-2027 set at 810 million, 1.27 billion, and 2 billion yuan, respectively [43][44].

黑芝麻智能系列 车中旭霞 智能驾驶芯片深度 《智能驾驶芯片行业专题-智能驾驶进入快车道，地平线机器人-W和黑芝麻智能的投资价值分析 》——20250207 公司点评 《黑芝麻智能（02533.HK）- 2024年收入同比增长52%，智能驾驶芯片量产加速》——20250409 《黑芝麻智能（02533.HK）-黑芝麻智能预计2024年收入同比增长44%-60%，A1000芯片助力吉利千里浩瀚智驾系统》——20250310 核心观点 2024年公司实现营业收入4.74亿元，同比增长52% 2024年，公司实现总收入4.7亿元，同比增长52%；净利润3.1亿元，2023年为-48.6亿元，主要系金融工具公允价值变动 收益20.5亿元影响（2023年为-31.8亿元），经调整经营亏损13亿（2023年为-12.5亿元）。2024年，自动驾驶产品及解 决方案收入为4.4亿元，同比增长58.5%，主要是由于1)向国内头部车厂（包括比亚迪、东风、吉利等）及一级供应商 销售芯片及解决方案以及量产车型数量稳步增加；2)产品线的扩大及发展导致商用车市场渗透率提高；3)车路云一体 化等领域的收入随随着相关政府政策的发布而增加；智能 ...

Investment Rating - The investment rating for the company is "Buy" (maintained) [1] Core Insights - The company achieved a revenue of 474.25 million in 2024, representing a year-on-year growth of 51.81%. The gross margin increased by 16 percentage points to 41% [7] - The autonomous driving business saw a significant increase, with revenue growing by 52% to 4.7 billion, driven by a higher proportion of customized autonomous driving algorithms [7] - The company is deepening collaborations with leading automotive manufacturers and expanding its global presence, focusing on both new energy and traditional fuel vehicle sectors [7] - The introduction of new products, such as the C1200 and A2000 chips, is expected to enhance the company's technological moat and drive sales growth [7] Financial Summary - Total revenue projections for the company are as follows: 2023A: 312.39 million, 2024A: 474.25 million, 2025E: 883.02 million, 2026E: 1,430.62 million, and 2027E: 1,919.02 million [1][8] - The net profit attributable to the parent company is projected to be (4,855.12) million in 2023A, 313.32 million in 2024A, and (1,271.67) million in 2025E [1][8] - The earnings per share (EPS) are forecasted to be (7.71) in 2023A, 0.50 in 2024A, and (2.02) in 2025E [1][8] - The price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio is expected to decrease from 42.19 in 2023A to 27.79 in 2024A, and further down to 14.93 in 2025E [1][8]

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for the company [1] Core Insights - The company achieved a revenue of 474.25 million in 2024, representing a year-on-year growth of 51.81% [1] - The adjusted net profit for 2024 is projected to be a loss of 13.0 billion, which is an improvement of 4% compared to the previous year's loss [7] - The company is focusing on deepening collaborations with leading automotive manufacturers and expanding its global presence [7] Financial Projections - Total revenue is expected to grow significantly from 312.39 million in 2023 to 1,919.02 million by 2027, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 34.14% [1] - The net profit is projected to improve from a loss of 4,855.12 million in 2023 to a loss of 349.19 million in 2027 [1] - The earnings per share (EPS) is expected to recover from a loss of 7.71 in 2023 to a loss of 0.55 by 2027 [1] Business Development - The company has made significant progress in its autonomous driving business, with a revenue increase of 52% in 2024 [7] - The introduction of new chips, such as the A2000 and C1200, is expected to enhance the company's product offerings and market competitiveness [7] - The company is expanding its application scenarios beyond passenger vehicles, including partnerships for smart city projects and robotics [7]

Financial Performance - The company's revenue increased from RMB 312.4 million in 2023 to RMB 474.3 million in 2024, representing a growth of 51.8%[6] - Revenue increased by 51.8% from RMB 312.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, to RMB 474.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, primarily due to increased sales of autonomous driving products and solutions[29] - Revenue from autonomous driving products and solutions rose by 58.5% from RMB 276.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, to RMB 438.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, driven by sales to leading domestic automotive OEMs and increased market penetration[30] - Gross profit increased to RMB 194.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to RMB 77.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, reflecting improved sales performance[27] - The overall gross profit increased by 152.4% from RMB 77.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, to RMB 194.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2024[35] - Gross profit margin improved from 24.7% in 2023 to 41.1% in 2024[6] - Gross margin for autonomous driving products and solutions rose from 21.4% to 37.4%, while the gross margin for intelligent imaging solutions increased from 50.1% to 85.4%[35] - The company reported a profit of RMB 313.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to a loss of RMB 4,855.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2023[44] Research and Development - Research and development expenses increased to RMB 1,435.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, from RMB 1,362.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, indicating continued investment in technology[27] - The company aims to enhance chip performance through proprietary architecture optimization and cost structure improvements, supporting the scaling of autonomous driving technology[24] - The company is enhancing its core IP capabilities by investing in ISP technology development, aiming to improve performance and reduce power consumption for complex image processing needs[22] - The company plans to allocate 80% of the net proceeds (approximately 760.6 million HKD) for research and development, with specific projects including the development of smart vehicle SoCs and autonomous driving solutions[60] Product Development and Innovation - The A1000 series chips have been mass-produced and delivered to major automotive manufacturers, achieving nationwide coverage for high-speed NoA functionality[7] - The C1200 series chips completed functionality verification for urban NoA and have secured mass production agreements with two mainstream OEMs by the end of 2024[8] - The company launched the new AI model design high-performance chip platform, the Huashan A2000 series, enhancing processing efficiency for autonomous driving systems[10] - The A2000 chip supports end-to-end large model applications, covering various autonomous driving scenarios, with real vehicle functionality deployment expected this year[16] - The company is collaborating with leading robotics companies to develop embodied intelligent algorithms and hardware solutions based on the A2000 chip, with mass shipments expected in the robotics field by 2025[18] - The C1200 series chip supports AI computing and execution control, enhancing the processing of multi-sensor data fusion, with applications in industrial, medical, and service sectors[19] Market Expansion and Customer Growth - The company is expanding its application scenarios, including commercial vehicles and integrated road cloud solutions, accelerating commercialization progress[12] - The company has seen a continuous increase in customers in the commercial vehicle sector, with ongoing projects in multiple cities[13] - In 2025, the company plans to accelerate the development of new customers and vehicle models, particularly in the new energy sector, to boost chip shipment volume and revenue[14] - The company is actively exploring overseas markets by establishing partnerships with automotive companies and suppliers in the US and Europe, aiming for dual growth in business performance and industry value[17] Financial Position and Cash Flow - Cash and cash equivalents increased from RMB 1,306.6 million at the end of 2023 to RMB 1,622.9 million at the end of 2024[48] - The net cash used in operating activities was RMB (1,189.8) million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to RMB (1,057.8) million for the previous year[50] - As of December 31, 2024, the company's total borrowings amounted to 674,212 thousand RMB, with total financial instruments issued to investors at 12,589,493 thousand RMB and lease liabilities at 48,187 thousand RMB, resulting in a total debt of 722,612 thousand RMB[52] - The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 61.7% as of December 31, 2024, compared to 0% as of December 31, 2023[61] - The company reported a total comprehensive income of RMB 234,112,000 for the year, a significant recovery from a loss of RMB 5,008,490,000 in the previous year[69] Governance and Compliance - The company is committed to adhering to the corporate governance code as stipulated in the listing rules[146] - The board of directors includes executive and independent non-executive directors, ensuring a diverse governance structure[149] - The company’s founder serves as the chairman, executive director, and CEO, indicating strong leadership[150] - The audit committee, consisting of three independent non-executive directors, has reviewed the audited consolidated financial statements for the reporting period[142] - The financial statements have been prepared with appropriate disclosures, ensuring transparency and compliance[142] Shareholder and Equity Information - The company completed its initial public offering (IPO) on August 8, 2024, and the preferred shares automatically converted into common shares after successful listing[124] - The company has issued redeemable convertible preferred shares totaling RMB 12.6 billion as of December 31, 2023[115] - The total amount distributable to preferred shareholders cannot exceed three times the applicable issue price[119] - The company’s shareholders agreed to automatic conversion of preferred shares at a 1:1 ratio upon completion of the IPO[123]

黑芝麻智能系列 车中旭霞 智能驾驶芯片深度 《智能驾驶芯片行业专题-智能驾驶进入快车道，地平线机器人-W和黑芝麻智能的投资价值分析 》——20250207 公司点评 《黑芝麻智能（02533.HK）-黑芝麻智能预计2024年收入同比增长44%-60%，A1000芯片助力吉利千里浩瀚智驾系统》——20250310 事项 公司公告： 根据公司公告，2024年2月17日，黑芝麻智能发布2024年业绩预告，预计2024年实现收入约人民币4.5-5亿 元，同比增长约44%-60%，预计2024年实现权益持有人应占利润净额不低于人民币1亿元，而2023年亏损净额约为人 民币48.55亿元。 公司2024年业绩增长主要原因在于：1）自动驾驶产品及解决方案的收入增加，主要系(a)公司持续向 国内领先的汽车原始设备制造商OEM（包括BYD、东风及吉利等）和一级供应商出口芯片及解决方案等产品，且在量 产车型中的使用数量稳步增加；(b)公司产品线扩张及发展带来的商用车领域市场渗透率的提高；(c)随着相关政府政策 的发布，公司车路云一体化等领域的收入增加；及2)向投资者发行的金融工具的公允价值收益主要由于投资者持有的 附有优先权的股 ...