Zhi Tong Cai Jing·2026-02-24 02:34Core Viewpoint - Cathay Securities has initiated coverage on NIO-SW (09866) with a "Buy" rating, citing increased sales and a higher proportion of high-priced models leading to the company's first quarterly profit in Q4 2025. The firm projects revenues of 87 billion, 130.6 billion, and 161.4 billion yuan for 2025, 2026, and 2027 respectively, and sets a target price of 50.59 HKD for 2026 based on a 0.85x PS valuation [1][2]. Group 1 - The company achieved a record quarterly delivery of 125,000 vehicles in Q4 2025, a year-on-year increase of 72%, with NIO, Ladao, and Firefly brands delivering 67,000, 38,000, and 19,000 vehicles respectively, all setting historical highs [2]. - The newly launched high-end ES8 model accounted for 32% of Q4 sales, significantly boosting overall profitability. The adjusted operating profit (Non-GAAP) is expected to be between 700 million and 1.2 billion yuan, while the GAAP operating profit is projected to be around 200 million to 700 million yuan, marking the first quarterly profit [2]. - The CEO of NIO, Li Bin, emphasized the importance of the basic operating unit (CBU) mechanism in cost reduction and efficiency improvement, indicating that the company will continue to advance this mechanism [2]. Group 2 - Since 2025, the company has launched several models including Firefly, the new ES8, and Ladao L90, enhancing its product lineup. In December 2025, the new ES8 sold 22,000 units, becoming the sales champion in the large SUV, large three-row SUV, and models priced above 400,000 yuan categories [3]. - The company is expected to introduce new products such as the NIO ES9, NIO ES7, and Ladao L80 in 2026, further enriching its product matrix and enhancing market competitiveness [3]. Group 3 - The company has established a comprehensive technology system centered around self-developed intelligent driving chips, a full-domain vehicle operating system, and world model algorithms, as reported in the 2025 NIO Full-Stack Technology Annual Report. This investment in intelligence is anticipated to enter a harvest phase, potentially driving both product capability and sales growth [4].