The U.S.-listed shares of Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker Nio (NIO) have risen 23% over the past month and 83% over the past year, reflecting investor optimism about the company’s ES9 flagship SUV, rebound in deliveries, and improvement in the company’s financials. On Thursday, Nio’s shares in Hong Kong touched their highest levels since November 12, 2025. Shares ended the trading session with gains of 2.17%, reflecting optimism ahead of the company’s official beginning of the ES9 SUV’s pre-sales in Hangzhou today.
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Shares initially moved higher in the U.S. market on Thursday, but closed about 5% lower amid broader market concerns about tensions in the Middle East.
Currently, Wall Street is cautiously optimistic on Nio stock and sees modest upside potential in its U.S.-listed shares from current levels following a significant rally.
Nio ES9 SUV Pre-Sales Start
The pre-sale price for Nio’s ES9 Executive Luxury trim starts at 528,000 yuan, with a BaaS (battery-as-a-service) rental option priced at 420,000 yuan. The Executive Signature Edition starts at 588,000 yuan, or 480,000 yuan with BaaS. Finally, the Horizon Special Edition starts at 658,000 yuan, or 550,000 yuan with BaaS.
The pre-sales of the ES9 seem to be in line with Nio’s strategy for the ES8, which involved lowering costs to provide advanced technologies to consumers at competitive prices.
The official launch of the ES9 is expected in late May, with customer deliveries slated to commence on June 1.
Wall Street’s Take on Nio Stock
Nio reported its first-ever quarterly net profit for Q4 2025. The company’s deliveries have also been improving despite intense competition in China’s EV market and fading subsidies.
Last month, HSBC analyst Yuqian Ding upgraded NIO stock to Buy from Hold and increased the price target to $6.80 from $4.80. The analyst highlighted that the Chinese EV maker reported its first quarterly net profit for Q4 2025, driven by robust volumes and cost discipline.
Ding also noted the improvement in Nio’s Q4 2025 vehicle gross margin, supported by a favorable product mix following strong ES8 deliveries. He also mentioned strengthening operating leverage, which reflected organizational optimization and tighter cost controls. Ding expects above-industry visibility for Nio’s Q1 2026 earnings, driven by continued mix benefits and less disruption to volumes from seasonal effects and scaling back of subsidies.
While most analysts remain positive on Nio stock, some are concerned about the company’s ability to sustain continued growth amid intense competition in China and fading subsidies.
Is NIO Stock a Buy, Sell, or Hold?
Currently, Wall Street has a Moderate Buy consensus rating on Nio stock based on seven Buys, two Holds, and one Sell recommendation. The average NIO stock price target of $6.56 indicates 6.4% upside potential from current levels.
