Archer Aviation (US:ACHR) Huachuang Securities·2025-05-18 10:50Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Recommendation" rating for the low-altitude economy industry, expecting the industry index to outperform the benchmark index by more than 5% in the next 3-6 months [49]. Core Views - The report highlights the significant growth potential in the low-altitude economy, particularly in three major application scenarios: new consumption in cultural tourism, manned (passenger) transportation, and specialized uses. It emphasizes the importance of low-altitude new infrastructure investments, including digitalization and radar systems [37][38]. - The report notes that the U.S. eVTOL company Archer has seen a substantial increase in its stock price, with a weekly rise of 50%, reflecting market recognition of the future potential of eVTOL in urban air mobility [4][28]. Summary by Sections Industry Overview - The low-altitude economy industry consists of 122 listed companies with a total market value of approximately 32,496.40 billion yuan and a circulating market value of about 27,825.55 billion yuan [1]. - The Huachuang Transportation Low-altitude 60 Index experienced a weekly decline of 1.1% but has increased by 1.7% year-to-date, indicating a mixed performance compared to other indices [29][30]. Company Analysis: Archer - Archer's stock surged due to positive quarterly results and operational highlights, including successful overseas expansion and strategic partnerships with major airlines and technology firms [5][7][10]. - Archer's eVTOL aircraft, "Midnight," is set to play a significant role in the upcoming 2028 Los Angeles Olympics as the official air taxi provider, showcasing the company's accelerating commercialization efforts [8][10]. - Financially, Archer reported a narrowed loss of $0.93 billion in Q1 2025, with a significant cash reserve of $1 billion, indicating strong liquidity despite ongoing operational losses [20][24]. Market Insights - The report suggests that the valuation of U.S. eVTOL companies like Archer and Joby reflects the market's confidence in the future of eVTOL for urban air transportation, despite their current inability to mass-produce or deliver products [28]. - The report anticipates that the U.S. regulatory environment will facilitate the commercialization of eVTOL operations, paving the way for significant market opportunities [26][27]. Investment Recommendations - The report advises focusing on key segments within the low-altitude economy, including manufacturers, supply chains, new infrastructure, and operational entities, to capitalize on the expected growth from 2025 to 2027 [37][38].