The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights NIO, Tesla and Li Auto

For Immediate ReleaseChicago, IL – September 26, 2024 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: NIO Inc. NIO, Tesla, Inc.'s TSLA and Li Auto Inc. LI.Here are highlights from Wednesday’s Analyst Blog:China's Stimulus Boosts Under $10 NIO Stock – Worth Buying? So far this year, the Nasdaq soared more than 18%, whereas one of its listed stocks, electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer NIO Inc. gave investors little to celebrate, down 34.5%, and indicated apprehensions about the slowdown in China's economy.However, the NIO stock is poised to accelerate with China's new stimulus, encouraging quarterly results and promising outlooks. Is it the right time to buy, or are there other factors to weigh? Let's find out.NIO Stock Soar on Stimulus PlanOn Tuesday, People's Bank of China's (PBOC) significant stimulus measures boosted China's EV makers' shares, like Nio's. The NIO stock gained 11.7% yesterday and is up 18.3% in the past five sessions. The NIO stock is about to have its best month this year.China's waning economic growth and sluggish consumer sentiment have impacted NIO's high-end car sales. However, China's central bank's array of stimulus measures to revive economic growth should improve consumers' purchasing power and give them the means to purchase NIO's luxury vehicles like the all-new ES8.Pan Gongsheng, the governor of PBOC, stated that short-term interest rates and reserve requirements would be lowered, and sufficient support would be provided to boost the struggling housing sector.NIO Reports Strong Q2 Results, Exceeds Production GoalsNIO's second-quarter vehicle sales increased, and production broke records, a tell-tale sign that the NIO stock is about to propel higher.In the three months ending June 2024, NIO reported that 57,373 vehicles were delivered, up 143.9% from a year ago and 90.9% from the first quarter. About 24,811 premium electric sedans and 32,562 electric SUVs were sold in the second quarter, with vehicle margins coming in at 12.2%, comparing favorably with 6.2% a year ago and 9.2% in the first quarter.In the second quarter, total revenues were $2.4 billion, an increase of 98.9% from a year ago and a 76.1% increase from the first quarter. This is primarily because of the record-breaking sales of premium smart EVs that easily exceeded that 20,000 unit delivery benchmark. What's more, management estimates EV deliveries to potentially hit 63,000 in the third quarter, reflecting a 14% year-over-year increase.NIO Introduces New Brands, Stays CompetitiveIntroducing new models and competitive pricing could further boost the NIO stock. NIO launched its low-priced brand, Onvo in May and is set to deliver the first L60 SUV on Sept. 28. The company plans to open about 100 Onvo stores to deliver vehicles to customers and boost sales.The affordable L60 aims to challenge Tesla, Inc.'s Model Y market share in China. The L60 model is expected to sell for 219,900 yuan, less than the Model Y, priced at 249,900 yuan. The low-priced L60 will gain more global market share as NIO's premium brands face rising tariff challenges, especially in the European Union.Time to Buy NIO Stock?Given NIO's potential growth banking on China's stimulus measures, rising sales, and competitive pricing against bigger EV players like Tesla, stakeholders should retain their market shares. After all, prominent brokers have also jacked up the average short-term price target of NIO by almost 13% from the stock's last closing price of $5.32. The analysts' highest price target is at $8, an upside of 50.4%.Despite NIO being a growth stock under $10, operational inefficiencies pose a challenge for new buyers. This is because NIO has a debt-to-equity of 71.5%, way more than its peer group's 23%, an indication that the company has more debt on its balance sheet than its competitors like Li Auto Inc., and may find it difficult to operate efficiently in the long run.Thus, once the operational hazards are being addressed, buying the NIO stock would make all the more sense. For the time being, the NIO stock has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 (Strong Buy) Rank stocks here.Media ContactZacks Investment Research800-767-3771 ext. 9339support@zacks.com                                      https://www.zacks.com                                                   Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.Infrastructure Stock Boom to Sweep AmericaA massive push to rebuild the crumbling U.S. infrastructure will soon be underway. It’s bipartisan, urgent, and inevitable. Trillions will be spent. Fortunes will be made.The only question is “Will you get into the right stocks early when their growth potential is greatest?”Zacks has released a Special Report to help you do just that, and today it’s free. Discover 5 special companies that look to gain the most from construction and repair to roads, bridges, and buildings, plus cargo hauling and energy transformation on an almost unimaginable scale.Download FREE: How To Profit From Trillions On Spending For Infrastructure >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Tesla, Inc. (TSLA): Free Stock Analysis Report NIO Inc. (NIO): Free Stock Analysis Report Li Auto Inc. Sponsored ADR (LI): Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment ResearchWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks