Summary of Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL) Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL) - **Industry**: New Energy Vehicle (NEV) Batteries and Energy Storage Systems (ESS) - **Market Position**: Largest NEV battery provider in China since 2017, with a 37.9% global share of EV batteries and a 36.5% share of ESS batteries as of 2024 [9][20] Key Points Earnings and Price Target Revisions - **Price Target Increase**: Raised to HK$640 from HK$495 based on an 11% upward revision for 2026E earnings [1][4] - **Earnings Forecasts**: Revised up by 7% for 2025 and 11% for 2026 due to strong demand in electric heavy-duty trucks (e-HDT) and ESS [2][20] Market Dynamics - **Battery Sales Forecast**: Expected to achieve 638 GWh in 2025 and 790 GWh in 2026E, driven by electrification trends [2][22] - **Domestic EV Market Share**: CATL has lost 3 percentage points in domestic EV market share, now at 43%, due to capacity constraints and competition from smaller battery makers [3][8] Demand Drivers - **ESS Demand**: Strong demand from AI data centers and renewable energy installations is expected to support CATL's growth despite a potential 25% tariff from the US in 2026 [3][20] - **Cost Competitiveness**: Battery applications in e-HDT and ESS are becoming more affordable due to lithium price normalization and battery price deflation since 2023 [1][20] Valuation Metrics - **Current Valuation**: CATL-H is trading at 26x 2026E P/E, below the average of 30x for tech leaders like BYD and TSMC [4][12] - **Future Valuation Potential**: Further upside expected due to global leadership in technology and growth in the European EV market post-Hungarian plant launch in early 2026 [4][12] Financial Highlights - **Revenue Growth**: Projected revenues for 2026E at Rmb510 billion, with net earnings expected to reach Rmb88.2 billion [5][22] - **Profitability Metrics**: Net margin expected to improve to 17.5% by 2026E, with consistent unit profit at Rmb112/kWh [2][22] Risks and Scenarios - **Upside Scenario**: If EV penetration exceeds expectations, total battery sales could reach 850 GWh in 2026E, leading to a valuation of HK$800 per share [26] - **Downside Scenario**: If market conditions weaken, battery sales may only reach 660 GWh, resulting in a downside valuation of HK$350 per share [28] Conclusion - **Investment Rating**: Maintained a Buy rating on CATL-H, with CATL-A seen as more attractive on a valuation basis [1][20] - **Long-term Outlook**: CATL is well-positioned to benefit from the growing electrification of vehicles and the increasing demand for energy storage solutions, with a projected earnings CAGR of 22% from 2024 to 2029E [27][20]