Tech Independence
Search documents
Chinese AI stocks rise: Investors bet on Alibaba, Tencent, Metax, and Moore Threads
The Economic Times· 2025-12-24 16:02
Core Insights - Global investors are increasingly investing in Chinese AI companies, seeking the next big opportunity like "DeepSeek" while diversifying their portfolios [1][3] - Concerns about a potential AI bubble in the U.S. market are prompting investors to look towards China, where government support for tech independence is seen as a positive factor [1][2] Investment Trends - Ruffer, a UK asset manager, is focusing on Alibaba due to its AI chip unit and significant investments in cloud infrastructure, indicating a shift in competitive dynamics between the U.S. and China [2][3] - UBS Global Wealth Management has rated Chinese tech as "most attractive," highlighting the benefits of diversification and strong policy support for AI development in China [3] Market Valuation - The U.S. Nasdaq trades at 31 times earnings, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng Tech trades at 24 times, making Chinese stocks like Alibaba and Baidu more appealing for investment [4][16] ETF Investments - KraneShares' KWEB ETF, which includes Tencent, Alibaba, and Baidu, has seen significant growth, reaching nearly $9 billion this year, reflecting strong investor interest in Chinese tech [6][16] - Another KraneShares ETF focuses on Chinese onshore tech stocks, including Cambricon and Montage Technology, which have also experienced growth [7][16] Competitive Landscape - While the U.S. leads in AI innovation, China is noted for its strengths in engineering, manufacturing, and power supply, providing a competitive edge in the AI race [7][16] - The urgency in the AI sector is drawing attention to Chinese companies, as noted by KraneShares' Chief Investment Officer [6][16] Company Performance - Chinese AI chipmaker MetaX saw a 700% increase in its Shanghai debut, while Moore Threads rose 400%, indicating a strong market response despite warnings about valuation support driven by hype [10][16] - Fund managers caution that many listed chip companies lack valuation support and are primarily driven by market hype [10] Strategic Recommendations - Investors are advised to selectively add companies benefiting from China's self-reliance push in AI and semiconductors while maintaining exposure to global leaders [11][12][16] - There is an expectation of increased investment in AI and robotics, with a focus on identifying potential leaders in these high-tech segments [12][16] Popular Companies - Key Chinese AI companies attracting investor interest include Alibaba, Baidu, Tencent, MetaX, Moore Threads, and Cambricon [14][16]