CATL(SZ:300750) ZHONGTAI SECURITIES·2025-05-12 12:49Investment Rating - The report maintains an "Overweight" rating for the industry [4] Core Views - The lithium battery industry is expected to enter a 2-3 year upward cycle, with potential improvements in performance and valuation [6][12] - The report highlights the successful listing of CATL on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, which could be the largest IPO in Hong Kong in four years, targeting a transaction scale of approximately $5 billion [6][12] - The report recommends focusing on companies involved in solid-state battery technology and suggests several key players in the lithium battery supply chain [6][12] Summary by Sections Lithium Battery Sector - The battery industry index increased by 5.31%, outperforming the CSI 300 by 3.303 percentage points [10] - CATL's stock price rose by 7.24%, while other key players like Yiwei Lithium Energy and Hunan Youneng also saw significant gains [10] - The report emphasizes the upward trend in unit profitability for lithium battery companies in Q1 2025, indicating a potential turning point in supply and demand [6][10] Energy Storage Sector - In April 2025, the total bidding capacity for energy storage projects in China reached 10.2GW/30.2GWh [26] - The average bidding price for energy storage systems has decreased, with a year-on-year decline of 29.88% [27] - The report notes the successful bidding results for a 5GWh energy storage project by State Power Investment Corporation, with significant shares awarded to leading companies [29] Electric Power Equipment Sector - The report highlights the completion of China's first "wind-solar-fire-storage integrated" large-scale comprehensive energy base, marking a significant milestone in the power grid sector [6] - The power grid sector is expected to benefit from domestic stimulus measures, with potential increases in investment due to economic downturns [6] Market Trends - The report tracks the sales of electric vehicles in Europe, noting a 30% year-on-year increase in April 2025 [16] - The penetration rate of new energy vehicles in Europe reached 26.1%, reflecting a 6.3 percentage point increase year-on-year [16] - The report also provides insights into the pricing trends of key materials in the lithium battery supply chain, indicating a decrease in prices for lithium carbonate and other components [19][21]