0258 GMT - Li Auto's 2Q will likely be its most challenging quarter in terms of gross margins, Deutsche Bank analyst Bin Wang writes in a note. The Chinese automaker's selling prices for its flagship L7, L8, L9 and Mega models are lower after it cut prices in April, which will pressure its margins, he adds. The company also has an unfavorable product mix as the share of its cheaper L6 SUVs rose. Also, the consumers who bought vehicles before the price cuts were compensated. Considering these factors, Li Auto's 2Q margin will likely to drop 1.5 percentage points on quarter to 19.1% while net profit will likely drop 83% on quarter to CNY102 million, the analyst says. DB maintains a buy rating on the stock with a target price of HK$133.00. Shares were last at HK$74.10. (jiahui.huang@wsj.com; @ivy_jiahuihuang)
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
July 01, 2024 22:58 ET (02:58 GMT)
Copyright (c) 2024 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.