BEIJING, Feb. 16, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On Monday evening, China Media Group's 2026 Spring Festival Gala lit up screens across the country and around the world. For more than four decades, the annual gala – widely known as Chunwan – has been the spiritual feast of the Chinese people on the eve of the Chinese New Year, and a shared cultural ritual that accompanies family reunions. This year, CGTN partnered with its multilingual platforms in 85 languages, working with more than 3,500 media outlets in over ...

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - **China Equity Strategy**: The 2026 JPM China Opportunity Forum highlighted a constructive outlook on China equities, emphasizing thematic trades such as leading exporters, beneficiaries of AI infrastructure capital expenditure, anti-involution strategies, K-shaped consumption recovery, and property market upside optionality [2][7]. Core Insights - **AI Ecosystem**: The memory and ESS (Energy Storage Systems) sectors are benefiting from global AI capital expenditure demand. Notable trends include a memory up-cycle and rising localization. However, consumer electronics and automotive sectors are facing component cost increases and lower trade-in subsidies year-on-year [6][14]. - **Anti-involution Strategies**: Companies like H World and Atour are shifting to rational pricing strategies to enhance market share. Home appliance brands are focusing on innovation rather than price cuts. The solar industry is also expected to see continued anti-involution efforts [6][31]. - **Consumption Trends**: Leading brands are innovating and optimizing to counteract soft domestic demand, with a focus on overseas growth. The "Liberation Day" in April 2025 is noted as a potential trigger for a future recovery in consumer confidence [6][29]. - **Healthcare Sector**: Drug innovation is a key growth driver for pharmaceutical companies, with a focus on launching new drugs and expanding into overseas markets. Healthcare service providers are gradually recovering, aided by technology upgrades [35][38]. - **Humanoid Robots**: China leads in global humanoid robot shipments, driven by government orders. The sector faces challenges in commercialization and scalability, but industrial applications are expected to show strong potential [40][41]. Important Data Points - **Smartphone Market**: Global smartphone shipments are expected to decline by 0.9% in 2026, with iPhones projected to outperform Android devices. JPM forecasts iPhone EMS builds at 251 million units for 2025, a 6% year-on-year increase [14][15]. - **Automotive Sales**: A slow start for passenger vehicle sales in 2026 is anticipated, with a forecasted decline of 24-29% quarter-on-quarter in Q1 2026 [15]. - **Energy Storage Systems**: Global ESS battery shipments are projected to grow over 40% to approximately 900 GWh in 2026, driven by policy momentum in China and strong orders from Europe [19]. - **Semiconductor Market**: The semiconductor industry is expected to see divergent dynamics, with consumer electronics facing softness while memory and foundry segments show strength. Average DRAM pricing is forecasted to increase by approximately 60% year-on-year in 2026 [20][21]. Company-Specific Insights - **Top Picks**: J.P. Morgan's preferred companies include Zhongji Innolight, NAURA, and CATL, among others, with various ratings and market caps provided [8][10][11][13]. - **Healthcare Innovations**: Companies like Hansoh are targeting over 80% of revenue from innovative medicines by FY25, with a robust pipeline in oncology and diabetes [35][37]. Additional Considerations - **Cost Management**: Companies are overcoming upward cost pressures through process optimization and effective cost pass-through strategies in export markets [34]. - **Global Expansion**: Chinese brands are increasingly building capacity and expanding distribution in emerging markets, with notable investments in ASEAN production bases [33]. This summary encapsulates the key insights and data points from the conference call, providing a comprehensive overview of the current landscape and future outlook for various sectors within the Chinese market.

Summary of Conference Call Notes Industry Overview Humanoid Robot and EV Supply Chain - The conference focused on the China humanoid robot and EV supply chain sector, with meetings held from January 19-22, 2026, involving various companies in the robotics and automotive sectors [1] - Major component suppliers are preparing for the debut of Tesla's Optimus Gen 3 in the first half of 2026, with batch shipments expected in the second half of 2026 [1] - Suppliers for Unitree's humanoid robot anticipate significant year-over-year shipment growth in 2026, leading to over 100% growth in humanoid robot-related sales [1] - Key component manufacturers are increasing production capacity and expect cost reductions through mass production and product standardization [1] Auto/EV OEMs & Supply Chain Sales Trends and Cost Pressures - Weak auto and EV sales trends are continuing into January 2026, attributed to cuts in EV purchase tax subsidies and incomplete trade-in subsidies [2] - Chery plans to launch new models post-Lunar New Year in February 2026 [2] - BOM (bill of materials) costs for EV models are estimated to increase by approximately RMB4,500-5,000 due to rising prices of lithium carbonate, memory, copper, and aluminum [2] - Seyond expects price reductions in LiDAR, which may alleviate some cost pressures for OEMs [2] Battery Sector Growth and Cost Management - CALB and Gotion are targeting over 50% year-over-year shipment growth, aiming for 180 GWh and 150 GWh respectively in 2026, driven by ESS demand and electrification of commercial vehicles [3] - Both companies plan to expand their effective capacities to 200 GWh by 2026 [3] - Upstream cost pressures from lithium carbonate and LiPF6 are expected to be partially passed through to customers, with ESS customers more likely to accept price hikes than EV customers [3] Company-Specific Insights Wolong Electric - Anticipates humanoid robot-related revenue to double year-over-year in 2026, with a projected revenue of around RMB100 million from humanoid robots in 2025 [8] - The company is investing in a data collection center for humanoid robots, focusing on motion capture [8] ZD Leader - Expects humanoid robot-related revenue to increase from RMB50 million in 2025 to over RMB100 million in 2026, driven by orders from a leading local robot maker [9] - The average selling price of its planetary reducers is expected to decline in the long term [9] Changsheng Bearing - Currently, humanoid robot-related revenue accounts for less than 1% of total revenue, but significant growth is expected [10] - Management anticipates a 20% CAGR in the auto industry, supported by rising content value and market share gains [10] Precision Tsugami China - Achieved over 15,000 unit shipments of machine tools in 2025, with a revenue of over RMB5 billion [11] - Management expects over 10% year-over-year shipment growth in 2026, driven by demand from various sectors [11] Seyond - Projects over 1 million units of LiDAR shipments in 2026, with a focus on ADAS products [13] - Expects average selling prices to drop but gross profit margins to improve due to economies of scale [13] Inovance - Expects continued recovery in the factory automation sector, with strong demand from the battery and 3C sectors [14] - New businesses in robotics and industrial software are anticipated to drive long-term growth [15][16] Hengli Hydraulic - Aims for 20-30% revenue growth in 2026, with significant contributions from its partnership with Caterpillar [17] - Targets RMB300-500 million in sales from screw and linear guide business in 2026 [18] CALB - Targets over 180 GWh in battery shipments for 2026, with a focus on mid-to-high-end EV models [19] - Plans to increase production capacity to 200 GWh by 2026 and expects to pass through lithium carbonate price hikes to customers [20][21] JAC - Expects a net loss of RMB1.68 billion in 2025 but aims for 50,000 units shipment for its Maextro brand in 2026 [23] - The Maextro brand is expected to improve profitability in 2026 due to rising capacity utilization [23] Gotion Hi-Tech - Targets 150 GWh in battery shipments for 2026, with significant expansion in production capacity planned [27][28] Chery - Aims for 3 million units in volume sales for 2026, with a 50% penetration rate for EV sales [30] - Expects stable net profit per vehicle despite BOM cost increases [31] Bethel - Projects over 20% revenue growth in 2026, with a focus on new product introductions [32] - Anticipates relatively weak customer orders in the first quarter of 2026 [32] Conclusion - The conference highlighted significant growth opportunities in the humanoid robot and EV sectors, with various companies preparing for increased demand and addressing cost pressures through strategic planning and partnerships.

Summary of the Conference Call on the Humanoid Robot Industry Industry Overview - The humanoid robot industry is shifting towards "dedicated-purpose" commercial deployments, focusing on specific vertical applications such as security, guest services, and logistics tasks like pick-and-place and sorting [2][8] - This strategic pivot is expected to drive significant growth in shipment volumes, with projections indicating a multi-fold increase by 2026-2027, from an estimated 15,000-20,000 units in 2025 [2][3] Shipment Volume Projections - Global humanoid robot shipments in 2025 are anticipated to be around 15,000-20,000 units, with Chinese manufacturers contributing significantly to these figures [3] - The targets for 2026 and 2027 are set in the thousands to tens of thousands, supported by a mature supply chain and optimized cost structures [3] Technological Advancements - Significant progress in motion control has been observed, with improvements in robustness and flexibility of humanoid robots, including the achievement of 'cerebellum-level' whole-body control [7] - The product iteration cycle has accelerated to approximately 6-8 months per generation, largely due to high in-house component design capabilities [7] Challenges and Limitations - The industry faces challenges such as the reliance on simulated data, which often fails to translate effectively to real-world scenarios, leading to a 'sim-to-real' gap [8] - The complexity of dexterous manipulation remains a limitation, confining the utility of humanoid robots in industrial applications to simpler logistics tasks [8] Data Strategies and AI Integration - Manufacturers are standardizing their approaches by integrating with established Large Language Models (LLM) and Vision-Language Models (VLM) to enhance robotic intelligence [9] - A 'data recipe' arms race is underway, with companies focusing on three primary data inputs: teleoperated demonstrations, simulation, and real-world video datasets [9] Market Differentiation and Profit Models - Two distinct profit models have emerged: 2C (business-to-consumer) focusing on user experience and emotional value, and 2B (business-to-business) emphasizing ROI through efficiency improvements [11][12][13] - For 2B applications, robots must achieve approximately 50% of a human worker's throughput to justify investment, with acceptable payback periods ranging from two to three years [13] Investment Recommendations - The report recommends a selective investment approach, advising to "Buy" Sanhua H and "Sell" Moon's Electric, citing high market expectations and the need for realistic volume projections [14] - The year 2026 is viewed as a critical period for validating volume expectations and market share dynamics within the humanoid robot sector [14] Conclusion - The humanoid robot industry is poised for significant growth driven by technological advancements and strategic market shifts, but faces challenges that could impact the realization of ambitious shipment targets and investment returns [2][3][14]

Investment Rating - The report maintains a positive sector view on humanoid robots, with a top pick being UBTECH and recommendations to accumulate stocks of Hengli Hydraulic, Leader Drive, and Shuanghuan Drive due to recent stock weakness [1]. Core Insights - Humanoid robot revenues are expected to grow exponentially in 2026, with all five companies visited during the Citi Industrial Tour anticipating at least a doubling of revenues compared to 2025 [1]. - The production ramp-up by Chinese and leading US humanoid robot makers is driving this growth, supported by accelerated supply chain build-up and increased capacity [1]. - Orbbec's humanoid robot revenue is projected to increase from Rmb10 million in 2025 to Rmb100-200 million in 2026, with key customers including UBTECH and AgiBot [2]. - UBTECH is enhancing its data collection capabilities through partnerships with training centers, which is expected to boost future shipments [3]. - Lingyi iTech anticipates humanoid robot orders to reach Rmb1 billion in 2025, with a target to grow revenue to Rmb10 billion by 2030 [4]. - Leader Drive expects its humanoid robot product shipments to at least double in 2026, driven by aggressive production guidance from key customers [5]. - Rongtai is expanding its micro ball screw capacity to support a leading US humanoid robot maker's production ramp-up to 3,000 units per week by Q1 2026 [5]. Summary by Company Orbbec - Revenue growth from Rmb1 million in 2024 to Rmb10 million in 2025, with a potential increase to Rmb100-200 million in 2026 [2]. UBTECH - Main products include Walker S1/S2 for industrial applications, with a forecast of humanoid robot shipments reaching at least 500 in 2025 and 2,000 in 2026 [9]. Lingyi iTech - Aims for humanoid robot revenue of Rmb10 billion by 2030, with significant orders expected in 2025 [4]. Leader Drive - Approximately 20% of revenue in 9M25 came from humanoid robot products, with expectations for significant growth in 2026 [5]. Rongtai - Preparing to support a production increase to 3,000 humanoid robots per week by Q1 2026, with plans to expand capacity to 5,000 per week by the end of 2026 [5].

Summary of Key Points from the Research Report Industry Overview - The report focuses on the **humanoid robot industry** and its developments showcased at the **China Industrial Industry Fair (CIIF)** held in Shanghai on **24 September 2025** [3][4]. Core Insights - **Hardware vs. Software**: Hardware is not seen as a bottleneck for humanoid robots, with significant cost reductions in components. The price for dexterous hands has decreased from **RMB50-100k** to **RMB10-60k** per hand, with Linkerbot's offering at **RMB8.8k** per hand [3]. However, software remains underdeveloped, with key AI models still in training [3]. - **Cost Reduction**: Overseas companies like Nidec are relocating supply chains to China, which is expected to further reduce costs in components as mass production of humanoid robots begins [3]. - **Software Development**: Unitree's recent open-sourcing of its world model aims to enhance the software ecosystem for humanoid robots, particularly benefiting educational institutions [3]. Company Highlights - **Inovance**: Unveiled new humanoid robot products, including a robotic arm and various actuators. The company plans to start commercial production in **2026**, with an estimated actuator value of **RMB34k/unit** by **2030**. The global humanoid robot market is projected to reach **1.1 million shipments** by **2030**, indicating a market size of approximately **RMB37 billion** [4]. - **Preferred Picks**: Inovance, Hongfa, and Shuanghuan are highlighted as preferred investment choices due to their strong market positions and growth potential [5][9]. Stock Ratings and Valuations - **Inovance (300124 CH)**: Current price **RMB86.33**, target price **RMB96.00**, with an upside of **11.2%**. The company is expected to benefit from a recovery in factory automation [6][10]. - **Hongfa (600885 CH)**: Current price **RMB25.74**, target price **RMB39.10**, with an upside of **51.9%**. Strong earnings momentum is anticipated due to new car model launches [6][10]. - **Shuanghuan (002472 CH)**: Current price **RMB51.31**, target price **RMB58.00**, with an upside of **13.0%**. Growth in smart drive units and robotic reducers is expected to drive future performance [6][10]. Risks and Considerations - **Inovance Risks**: Weaker-than-expected demand in automation and intense competition could impact margins [10]. - **Hongfa Risks**: Potential risks include slower-than-expected relay demand and cost declines [10]. - **Shuanghuan Risks**: Risks include slower commercialization of humanoid robots and lower-than-expected market share gains [10]. Additional Insights - The report emphasizes the importance of software development in the humanoid robot sector, indicating that while hardware costs are decreasing, the maturity of software solutions is critical for future growth [3][9]. - The anticipated growth in the humanoid robot market presents significant investment opportunities, particularly for companies that can innovate in both hardware and software [4][5].

Summary of Key Points from the Expert Call on DeepSeek and Embodied AI Industry Overview - The discussion focuses on the **humanoid robot industry** and the role of **embodied AI** in enhancing the commercial value of humanoid robots [1][2]. Core Insights and Arguments 1. **Importance of Embodied AI**: Embodied AI is critical for humanoid robots, as it determines their intelligence and commercial value. The process involves four steps: sensing, decision-making, planning, and execution [2][3]. 2. **Sub-models of Humanoid Robots**: - **Strong Reasoning Model**: Enhances decision-making and planning, reducing model hallucinations [3]. - **Multi-modal Large Model**: Processes various types of information, allowing robots to perceive their environment [3]. - **World Model**: Provides a physical understanding of the world, improving human-robot interaction [4]. 3. **Challenges in Developing Embodied AI**: - **Data Collection Difficulties**: Obtaining physical world data is challenging, impacting model training and optimization. Simulated data is not yet viable for training due to discrepancies with real-world data [5]. - **Insufficient Reasoning Capabilities**: Current embodied AI models are in early development stages, lacking the reasoning capabilities needed for complex real-world interactions [6]. 4. **Technological Advancements from DeepSeek**: - **Chain-of-Thought Models**: DeepSeek's models improve decision-making and planning efficiency for humanoid robots [7][9]. - **Enhanced Understanding**: These models can surpass human experts in specific tasks, such as solving math and science problems [9]. - **Cost Efficiency**: DeepSeek's architecture reduces model parameters and training costs, accelerating the development of embodied AI [10][13]. 5. **Future Expectations**: - **Timeline for All-Purpose Humanoid Robots**: Full realization of all-purpose humanoid robots is projected to be 5-10 years away due to data collection and computational challenges [14]. - **Increased R&D Investment**: The breakthrough from DeepSeek is expected to boost R&D in specialized scenarios, enhancing technology advancements in embodied AI [14]. Value Chain Positioning 1. **Sensing and Data Collection**: Essential for humanoid robots to interact with their environment. Data collection factories are being established in major Chinese cities, benefiting sensor and dexterous hand companies [15]. 2. **Edge-side Computing Chips**: With the rise of edge-side embodied AI, there is a growing demand for chips that support this technology [17]. 3. **Motion Control Units**: As humanoid robots perform more complex tasks, the accuracy of motion control systems becomes increasingly critical [18]. Additional Important Insights - The emergence of strong inference models due to DeepSeek's advancements is expected to enhance market confidence in achieving embodied AI [14]. - The development of a positive ecosystem for embodied AI is being fostered by the use of DeepSeek datasets and methodologies by various edge-side models [12].