CATL(SZ:300750) Soochow Securities·2025-09-17 07:20Investment Rating - The report maintains a positive outlook on the battery sector, particularly favoring leading companies like CATL and others in the second tier [1]. Core Insights - The battery sector is experiencing robust growth, with CATL leading in profit contribution and market share, while second-tier companies show significant improvement [2][3]. - Demand for energy storage batteries is expected to exceed expectations, with a projected global demand of 1,877 GWh in 2025, representing a 35% year-on-year increase [2]. - The report highlights the acceleration of battery exports and the development of new technologies, with leading companies setting the pace [2]. Summary by Sections PART 1: Operational Comparison - CATL's profit contribution in the battery sector reached 90%, with the battery segment accounting for 42% of the overall industry profit in Q2 2025, reflecting a 7% increase year-on-year [5][6]. - Second-tier companies are showing signs of recovery, with gross margins improving to 15-20% [2][5]. PART 2: Demand Outlook - Global demand for energy storage batteries is expected to reach 521 GWh in 2025, a 60% increase year-on-year, with further growth anticipated in 2026 [2][20]. - The report indicates that the price of energy storage batteries has stabilized and is beginning to recover, leading to improved profitability [2][21]. PART 3: Industry Trends - The report notes that leading companies are accelerating their overseas production capacity to meet local supply needs, particularly in Europe and Southeast Asia [2][3]. - Technological advancements are ongoing, with a focus on larger cell sizes and improved performance metrics [2][3]. PART 4: Valuation Comparison and Investment Recommendations - The report suggests that leading companies have a clear valuation advantage, with CATL being the top pick, followed by other notable firms such as Yiwei Lithium Energy and Xinwangda [2][3]. - The report emphasizes the potential for continued profitability in the battery sector, particularly for leading companies and those with low valuations [2][3].