24 January 2026 | 6:48AM HKT Equity Research Xiaomi Corp. (1810.HK) Lower smartphone/EV volume estimates against softer industry backdrop; Refresh valuation scenarios and stay Buy | | | In this note, we lower our estimates on Xiaomi's 2026-27E revenue and profitability by 8%/17% on average primarily on account of: 1) Lower smartphone shipments (esp. in the mass segment) on ASP hike; we model smartphone ASP +6%/+4% yoy in 2026/27E (vs. 0% yoy in 2025E) and shipments -5%/+2% yoy to 158mn/162mn in 2026/27E (vs ...

Market Overview - US stock futures increased on Monday morning, indicating a continuation of the strong momentum from October, with S&P 500 futures rising 0.3%, Nasdaq 100 futures jumping 0.6%, and Dow Jones Industrial Average futures adding about 0.1% [1] - October was a strong month for stocks, with the S&P 500 rising 2.3%, the Dow gaining 2.5%, and the Nasdaq Composite climbing 4.7%, driven by investor interest in growth and AI-linked companies, particularly Big Tech and the "Magnificent Seven" [2][19] - Optimism regarding easing US-China trade tensions contributed to market gains, although concerns remain in Washington due to a government shutdown delaying key economic reports [2][19] Earnings Reports - Earnings season is active, with about 300 S&P 500 companies having reported third-quarter results, and over 100 more reports expected this week from firms such as Palantir, Super Micro, and AMD [4][20] - Berkshire Hathaway's stock rose over 1% after reporting a 17% profit increase in its third-quarter results, attributed to a mild hurricane season and investment gains [6][10][20] Significant Corporate Developments - IREN stock surged 24% following the announcement of a $9.7 billion cloud services contract with Microsoft, which will utilize Nvidia's GB300 processors to enhance AI and data center infrastructure [8][20] - The GB300 processors will be installed in stages until 2026 at IREN's 750-megawatt campus in Texas, with Microsoft making a 20% prepayment [9][20] Leadership Changes - Warren Buffett will step down as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway in January, with Vice Chair Greg Abel set to take over, while Buffett remains as chairman [11][20] - Berkshire Hathaway's significant cash pile of $381.7 billion as of September is expected to remain intact despite recent investments [11][20] Market Reactions - Xiaomi shares rose over 3% following a lighthearted exchange between Chinese President Xi Jinping and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, highlighting sensitive security issues in US-China relations [13][20] - Gold prices fell below $4000 per ounce after China removed a tax incentive for gold purchases, although prices are still up more than 50% this year due to demand from central banks and investors [15][16][20]

Group 1: Diplomatic Exchange - Chinese President Xi Jinping made a lighthearted exchange about 'spying' while gifting two Xiaomi smartphones to South Korean President Lee Jae Myung during the APEC summit [1][3] - This visit marked Xi's first trip to South Korea since 2014, following years of strained relations between the two countries [2] Group 2: Technology and Espionage Concerns - The exchange occurred amid ongoing concerns regarding Chinese technology and espionage, particularly related to the Xiaomi brand, which was previously blacklisted by the United States [6] - Recent reports indicate that Chinese hackers have been involved in cyber-espionage campaigns against US technology firms, stealing sensitive information while remaining undetected [7] - Additionally, there are allegations that China has employed "sex warfare" tactics to spy on professionals in Silicon Valley [8]

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - The conference call discusses the robotics industry, particularly focusing on China's dominance in the sector and the implications for the United States and the West [5][7][8]. Core Insights and Arguments - **Automation Revolution**: The U.S. is at a critical juncture in the automation and robotics revolution, which is expected to enable full-scale automation in manufacturing and mission-critical industries. China is positioned to lead this transformation [5][6][8]. - **China's Competitive Edge**: China has established a highly competitive economy with significant economies of scale in manufacturing. The country has already achieved dominance in several critical industries, including batteries and electric vehicles (EVs) [8][9]. - **Robotics Manufacturing**: China's robotics manufacturing capabilities are rapidly advancing, with local firms capturing nearly 50% of the global market share, up from 0% in 2020. This includes a shift towards higher-end market segments [11][14]. - **Cost Disparity**: Building a robotic arm in the U.S. is 2.2 times more expensive than in China, highlighting the cost advantages that Chinese manufacturers have [14][21]. - **Market Dynamics**: The commercial drone market exemplifies China's strategy of scale and oversupply, with local leader DJI capturing over 80% of the global commercial drone market [18][25]. Potential Risks and Challenges - **U.S. Manufacturing Decline**: The U.S. faces existential threats as it risks being outcompeted in manufacturing capacities. The focus on overseas production and procurement has weakened its industrial base [5][7][9]. - **Western Competitors' Struggles**: Companies like GoPro have struggled to compete in the consumer drone market due to their reliance on overseas manufacturing, which hampers rapid iteration and product development [22][24]. Important but Overlooked Content - **Generative Purpose Robotics**: The call emphasizes the potential of general-purpose robotics, which could revolutionize various industries by enabling robots to perform a wide range of tasks in dynamic environments [36][43]. - **China's Advanced Manufacturing**: China's investment in robotics has led to the establishment of fully automated factories, such as Xiaomi's factory, which produces one smartphone every minute without human intervention [46][49]. - **Future of Robotics**: The discussion highlights the importance of advancements in hardware and AI, which are expected to unlock new capabilities in robotics, allowing for more complex tasks and greater efficiency in manufacturing [41][43][48]. Conclusion - The conference call underscores the urgent need for the U.S. and Western nations to respond to China's advancements in robotics and automation. The implications for global manufacturing and economic competitiveness are significant, with potential shifts in market leadership on the horizon [5][8][27].