Overall score is held back primarily by weak financial performance (declining revenue, pressured profitability, and inconsistent cash generation) and bearish technicals (below key moving averages with negative MACD). The main offset is a low P/E valuation, but it is not enough to outweigh the operational and momentum risks.
Positive Factors
Balance Sheet Strength
A relatively strong equity base and low leverage provide durable financial flexibility for a consumer lender. This structural stability helps absorb credit losses, supports ongoing lending activities, and reduces refinancing pressure during cyclical downturns, sustaining operations over months.
Diversified Consumer Finance Revenue Streams
Multiple revenue channels—interest income, fees, point-of-sale partnerships and analytics—create structural diversification beyond pure interest margin. These distribution partnerships aid customer acquisition and reduce reliance on a single product, supporting medium-term resilience as markets recover.
Return to Positive Net Margin in 2024
Recording a positive net margin in the latest year indicates management can steer operations toward profitability despite prior losses. Sustained positive margins would enable internal capital generation, de-risk balance-sheet repair, and fund strategic investments without sole reliance on external financings.
Negative Factors
Severe Revenue Contraction
A large, persistent decline in revenue erodes scale and market presence for a fintech lender. Lower originations reduce fee and interest income, impair operating leverage, and make reinvesting in product and underwriting capabilities harder, threatening medium-term franchise viability.
Deteriorating Margins and Negative EBIT
Negative gross profit and EBIT reflect structural stress from weak pricing, elevated credit costs, or cost inefficiencies. Such margin deterioration undermines sustainable profitability and indicates management must materially change underwriting, pricing, or cost structure to restore healthy returns.
Volatile and Negative Free Cash Flow
Inconsistent operating cash conversion and recent negative free cash flow reduce the firm's ability to self-fund lending and growth. Persistent cash deficits increase reliance on external funding, elevate refinancing and liquidity risk, and constrain strategic investments over the medium term.
High Templar Tech Limited (HTT) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)
Market Cap
$480.52M
Dividend YieldN/A
Average Volume (3M)N/A
Price to Earnings (P/E)4.3
Beta (1Y)0.93
Revenue GrowthN/A
EPS GrowthN/A
CountryUS
Employees262
SectorFinancial
Sector Strength70
IndustryFinancial - Credit Services
Share Statistics
EPS (TTM)0.34
Shares Outstanding125,912,680
10 Day Avg. VolumeN/A
30 Day Avg. VolumeN/A
Financial Highlights & Ratios
PEG Ratio0.23
Price to Book (P/B)0.33
Price to Sales (P/S)17.39
P/FCF Ratio-8.77
Enterprise Value/Market Cap-4.34
Enterprise Value/Revenue-15.27
Enterprise Value/Gross Profit-196.70
Enterprise Value/Ebitda-13.30
Forecast
1Y Price TargetN/A
Price Target UpsideN/A
Rating ConsensusN/A
Number of Analyst Covering0
EPS Forecast (FY)N/A
Revenue Forecast (FY)N/A
High Templar Tech Limited Business Overview & Revenue Model
Company DescriptionQudian Inc. operates as a consumer-oriented technology company in the People's Republic of China. The company provides small cash credit products to consumers; and financial leasing and financing guarantee services, as well as technology development and services. It also offers ready-to-cook meal products for working-class consumers. The company was founded in 2014 and is headquartered in Xiamen, the People's Republic of China.
How the Company Makes Money
High Templar Tech Limited Financial Statement Overview
Summary
Financials are mixed: the income statement is weak (revenue decline, deteriorating margins and negative EBIT recently), cash flow is volatile with recent negative free cash flow, while the balance sheet is comparatively stable with low leverage and strong equity levels.
Income Statement
42
Neutral
Qudian's income statement reflects significant challenges. Revenue has experienced a sharp decline from 2019 to 2024, with recent periods showing negative growth. The gross profit margin has deteriorated, turning negative in 2023, and the net profit margin has been inconsistent, though it was positive in 2024. The EBIT margin and EBITDA margin also highlight operational inefficiencies, particularly in the latest year with negative EBIT. These trends suggest declining profitability and potential operational challenges.
Balance Sheet
68
Positive
The balance sheet remains relatively stable with strong equity levels, as indicated by a high equity ratio. The company has maintained a low debt-to-equity ratio, suggesting prudent leverage management. However, the return on equity has fluctuated, indicating potential challenges in generating returns on shareholder investments. Overall, the company's balance sheet reflects financial stability but mixed profitability performance.
Cash Flow
55
Neutral
Qudian's cash flow statement indicates volatility, particularly with free cash flow, which was negative in recent years, reflecting potential liquidity challenges. The operating cash flow to net income ratio has shown inconsistency, suggesting issues in converting earnings to cash. Despite these challenges, the company has managed positive financing cash flow in the latest period, indicating external funding support. The cash flow trends highlight liquidity management as a key area for improvement.
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
Disclaimer
This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Jan 07, 2026