Macquarie Boosts ZEEKR's Growth Potential with Positive Outlook

Macquarie Starts Coverage on ZEEKR Intelligent Technology

Macquarie has recently provided a fresh perspective on ZEEKR Intelligent Technology (NYSE:ZK), a rising star in the electric vehicle (EV) market. The firm has assigned ZEEKR an Outperform rating along with a projected price target of $33. This strong endorsement is based on the expectation that ZEEKR will significantly bolster its share in the premium battery electric vehicle (BEV) segment, reflecting Macquarie's confidence in the company's growth trajectory.

Growth Forecast and Business Model Considerations

According to Macquarie's analysis, ZEEKR is poised for outstanding growth, with sales volumes anticipated to climb at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 47% through fiscal year 2026. This projection suggests that ZEEKR could potentially reach sales of around 373,000 units, emphasizing the brand's ambition and viability in a competitive landscape.

The current strategy employed by ZEEKR involves outsourcing its manufacturing operations. While this approach may limit profit margins due to external fees, it allows the company to achieve immediate market presence without incurring significant capital expenditure associated with setting up its own production facilities. Nevertheless, analysts believe that in the long term, maintaining ownership of production facilities could lead to more substantial economic benefits, especially as ZEEKR scales its operations.

Outperform Rating and Valuation Insights

Macquarie's Outperform rating signals high expectations for ZEEKR to navigate the complexities presented by its intricate corporate setup and the prevailing low liquidity of its shares. The investment community has often penalized ZEEKR's stock, but Macquarie argues that these market reactions do not fully recognize the robust growth potential that lies ahead for the company within the premium BEV space.

ZEEKR's strategic positioning within the EV industry and its ambitious objectives serve as the foundation for Macquarie's favorable outlook. The company's deliberate focus on the premium BEV market is expected to not only accelerate its growth but also increase its market share significantly.

Financial Results and Market Performance

Recent financial disclosures from ZEEKR indicate a strong performance, with total revenues for the second quarter of 2024 reaching an impressive 20 billion RMB. This marks a notable 58% increase year-over-year and a substantial 36% rise since the previous quarter. Such figures emphasize ZEEKR’s financial resilience and market relevance.

The company's gross profit margin exceeded expectations at 17.2%, attributed primarily to a boost in battery and component sales. ZEEKR is projecting that the gross profit margin for its battery business will stabilize between 10% and 12% in 2024, indicating ongoing operational efficiency despite challenges.

Challenges and Adjusted Forecasts

However, despite these advancements, ZEEKR also reported a non-GAAP net loss of 1.2 billion RMB, exceeding earlier loss estimates by 36%. Following these results, analysts at BofA Securities revised their outlook for ZEEKR shares, lowering the price target from $30 to $26, citing higher operational expenses as a key factor in their adjustment.

InvestingPro Overview of ZEEKR's Market Performance

In alignment with Macquarie's positive outlook, recent data from InvestingPro shows that ZEEKR has delivered impressive returns, demonstrating robust growth with a 41.57% increase over the last week and a striking 62.7% rise over the past month. This encouraging stock performance underscores the growing confidence among investors, coinciding with Macquarie's favorable rating.

InvestingPro Tips indicate that ZEEKR stands out within the Automobiles industry as a key player, reinforcing the belief in its potential to capture a larger share of the premium BEV market. The notable price volatility witnessed reflects the dynamic nature of the EV sector, and investors' reactions to ZEEKR’s growth prospects.

Yet, it’s essential to emphasize that ZEEKR has yet to achieve profitability, with a negative P/E ratio of -5.09 reported for the last twelve months. This reinforces Macquarie's observations regarding the implications of the company's current outsourcing business model on its financial performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What rating did Macquarie assign to ZEEKR Intelligent Technology?

Macquarie assigned ZEEKR an Outperform rating along with a price target of $33.

What is ZEEKR’s projected growth rate through 2026?

ZEEKR is expected to achieve a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 47% through fiscal year 2026.

Why is ZEEKR's current business model considered advantageous?

ZEEKR's approach of outsourcing production allows it to enter the market rapidly without large capital expenditures, though it can limit profit margin.

What financial performance did ZEEKR report for Q2 2024?

ZEEKR reported a substantial total revenue of 20 billion RMB, marking a 58% year-over-year increase.

Has ZEEKR turned a profit?

No, ZEEKR reported a non-GAAP net loss of 1.2 billion RMB in Q2 2024, indicating it is not yet profitable.

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