BofA Initiates Coverage of WeRide With Buy Rating and $12 Price Target

Core Viewpoint - BofA Securities initiated coverage on WeRide Inc. with a Buy rating and a price target of $12 per ADR [1] Group 1: Company Overview - WeRide is described as an emerging global provider of Level 4 autonomous-driving solutions [2] - The company is projected to significantly expand its fleet and achieve profitability by 2029 [2] Group 2: Growth Catalysts - Key catalysts for growth include a broader international rollout of robotaxi operations supported by strategic partnerships and first-mover advantages [2] - Improved profitability in China is expected as the company scales its operations [2] - Accelerated adoption of WeRide's robobus, robovan, and robosweeper offerings is anticipated, all integrated within the WeRide One platform [2] Group 3: Valuation Methodology - BofA's price target of $12 per ADR is based on an average of price-to-sales (P/S) and discounted cash flow (DCF) valuation methodologies [3] - The equivalent target for Hong Kong-listed shares is HKD 31 [3]