tiprankstipranks
Trending News
More News >
Li Auto (LI)
NASDAQ:LI

Li Auto (LI) AI Stock Analysis

Compare
9,354 Followers

Top Page

LI

Li Auto

(NASDAQ:LI)

Select Model
Select Model
Select Model
Neutral 55 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:55Neutral
Price Target:
$16.50
▲(1.91% Upside)
Li Auto's overall stock score reflects a combination of mixed financial performance, bearish technical indicators, and a relatively high valuation. The company's strong balance sheet is a positive factor, but liquidity challenges and declining revenue growth weigh heavily on the score. The technical analysis indicates a bearish trend, further impacting the overall score. The absence of a dividend yield and a high P/E ratio suggest limited valuation appeal.
Positive Factors
Strong balance sheet
Low financial leverage and double-digit ROE provide durable financial flexibility. This balance-sheet strength supports multi-year investments in R&D, manufacturing scale and international expansion, and helps the firm weather cyclicality in EV demand without urgent refinancing risk.
Scale and service network
Large cumulative deliveries and extensive retail, service and charging infrastructure create a durable competitive moat for family-oriented buyers. The installed base drives recurring service revenue, lowers customer acquisition cost, and supports after-sales margins and brand stickiness over the next several years.
In-house AI/semiconductor effort
Developing an in-house AI system and chip stack addresses long-term differentiation in vehicle software and user experience. Owning core software/hardware can improve gross margins, enable unique features, and create recurring software monetization opportunities versus competitors reliant on third-party stacks.
Negative Factors
Declining revenue growth
Sustained negative revenue growth erodes scale economics and weakens the company’s ability to spread fixed costs across higher volumes. Over a 2-6 month horizon this trend can compress margins, reduce free cash flow, and hamper funding for product development and market expansion initiatives.
Weak cash generation
Material deterioration in operating and free cash flow limits internal funding for capex, battery investments and overseas rollouts. Low OCF-to-net-income signals earnings are less convertible to cash, increasing reliance on external financing and raising execution risk for multi-year product and tech programs.
Margin and production pressures
Falling vehicle margins driven by recall costs and higher unit manufacturing expenditures weaken core profitability. Combined with production ramp and supply-chain planning failures, these structural execution issues raise the risk of sustained higher cost per unit and reputational damage that can depress margins long term.

Li Auto (LI) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Li Auto Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionLi Auto Inc. operates in the energy vehicle market in the People's Republic of China. It designs, develops, manufactures, and sells premium smart electric vehicles. The company's product line comprises MPVs and sport utility vehicles. It offers sales and after sales management, and technology development and corporate management services, as well as purchases manufacturing equipment. The company offers its products through online and offline channels. The company was formerly known as Leading Ideal Inc. and changed its name to Li Auto Inc. in July 2020. Li Auto Inc. was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in Beijing, the People's Republic of China.
How the Company Makes MoneyLi Auto generates revenue primarily through the sale of its electric vehicles, including the Li ONE and future models. The company employs a direct sales model, selling vehicles through its own retail stores and online platforms, which allows for better customer engagement and higher margins. In addition to vehicle sales, Li Auto earns revenue from ancillary services such as vehicle financing, insurance products, and after-sales services. The company also benefits from strategic partnerships with technology and automotive suppliers that enhance its production capabilities and reduce costs. Government subsidies and incentives for electric vehicle purchases in China further contribute to Li Auto's financial performance, bolstering demand for its products in a competitive market.

Li Auto Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Any
Any
Deliveries
Deliveries
Tracks the number of vehicles delivered to customers, indicating demand strength, production efficiency, and overall market penetration for Li Auto.
Chart InsightsLi Auto's deliveries have shown a strong upward trajectory, with a notable spike in Q3 2024. However, recent earnings call insights reveal a projected dip in Q3 2025 deliveries, attributed to sales system adjustments and market factors. Despite these challenges, the company maintains a leading market position and is expanding its charging network and AI investments, indicating a strategic focus on long-term growth. The success of new models like the Li MEGA and Li i8 highlights potential future growth, though short-term revenue pressures remain a concern.
Data provided by:The Fly

Li Auto Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Nov 26, 2025
(Q3-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Feb 20, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Negative
Li Auto is navigating significant challenges with a strategic shift back to an entrepreneurial model and a focus on technological advancements. However, financial performance in Q3 was negatively impacted by decreased revenues, increased losses, and supply chain issues.
Q3-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Strategic Shift to Entrepreneurial Model
Li Auto announced a strategic shift back to an entrepreneurial management model to better adapt to rapidly changing industry and technology cycles, focusing on user value and efficiency.
Introduction of In-House AI System
Li Auto plans to launch an AI system based on internally developed M100 chips in 2026, aiming to enhance user experience with proactive features.
Expansion in Key Markets
Li Auto's i-Series successfully entered core BEV markets such as Beijing, Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang, with orders starting to increase significantly from September.
Strong Cash Position
Despite challenges, Li Auto maintains a strong cash position with a quarter-end balance of RMB 98.9 billion.
Negative Updates
Significant Revenue Decrease
Total revenues in Q3 were RMB 27.4 billion, a decrease of 36.2% year-over-year and 9.5% quarter-over-quarter, mainly due to lower vehicle deliveries.
Negative Operating and Net Income
Li Auto reported a net loss of RMB 624.4 million and a loss from operations of RMB 1.2 billion in Q3, compared to net income of RMB 2.8 billion and income from operations of RMB 3.4 billion in the same period last year.
Vehicle Margin Decline
Vehicle margin in Q3 was 15.5%, down from 20.9% in the same period last year, primarily due to estimated Li MEGA recall costs and higher per unit manufacturing costs.
Supply Chain and Production Challenges
Challenges with production ramp-up and supply chain planning affected delivery schedules, particularly for the Li i6 model.
Increased Cash Outflow
Li Auto registered an operating cash outflow of RMB 7.4 billion and a free cash outflow of RMB 8.9 billion during Q3, impacting cash reserves.
Company Guidance
During Li Auto's Q3 2025 earnings call, the company provided guidance for its future strategy and financial outlook. The CEO, Xiang Li, announced a strategic shift back to an entrepreneurial management model, emphasizing the development of embodied AI products to create more user value in the next decade. Li Auto expects Q4 2025 vehicle deliveries between 100,000 and 110,000 units, with total revenues projected between RMB 26.5 billion and RMB 29.2 billion. The company's Q3 2025 financial performance showed total revenues of RMB 27.4 billion, a 36.2% year-over-year decrease, and a net loss of RMB 624.4 million. Looking forward, Li Auto plans to launch its AI system based on the M100 chip in 2026, with an eye on improving user experiences and capitalizing on advancements in electric drive, battery systems, and electronic control technologies.

Li Auto Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Li Auto presents a mixed financial picture. The income statement shows stable margins but declining revenue growth. The balance sheet is robust with low leverage and good returns on equity, indicating financial stability. However, the cash flow statement highlights liquidity challenges, with significant declines in free cash flow. The company should focus on improving revenue growth and cash flow management to enhance its financial health.
Income Statement
65
Positive
Li Auto's income statement shows a mixed performance. The TTM data indicates a gross profit margin of 20.64% and a net profit margin of 5.64%, which are relatively stable compared to the previous year. However, the revenue growth rate has declined by 11.15% in the TTM period, indicating a potential slowdown. The EBIT and EBITDA margins are moderate, reflecting operational efficiency but also highlighting the need for improved cost management.
Balance Sheet
75
Positive
The balance sheet of Li Auto is strong with a low debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23, indicating prudent financial leverage. The return on equity stands at 11.44% for the TTM, showing effective utilization of shareholder funds. The equity ratio is healthy, suggesting a solid capital structure. Overall, the balance sheet reflects financial stability and low risk.
Cash Flow
55
Neutral
Li Auto's cash flow statement reveals challenges, with a significant decline in free cash flow growth by 188.21% in the TTM period. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is low at 0.21, indicating potential liquidity issues. However, the free cash flow to net income ratio is relatively better at 0.58, suggesting some capacity to generate cash relative to net income.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue125.72B144.52B123.83B46.08B26.66B8.94B
Gross Profit24.38B29.67B27.49B8.81B5.55B1.39B
EBITDA5.42B12.57B12.32B-853.90M494.34M244.14M
Net Income4.51B8.04B11.70B-2.05B-317.29M-159.79M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets153.12B162.35B143.47B86.54B61.85B36.37B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments98.68B112.81B103.26B56.51B47.52B28.64B
Total Debt17.89B16.34B13.55B12.26B7.84B2.11B
Total Liabilities79.92B91.03B82.89B41.35B20.78B6.57B
Stockholders Equity72.69B70.87B60.14B44.86B41.06B29.80B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow-7.71B8.20B44.19B2.25B4.90B2.46B
Operating Cash Flow-3.45B15.93B50.69B7.38B8.34B3.14B
Investing Cash Flow-22.80B-41.14B-12.07M-4.36B-4.26B-18.74B
Financing Cash Flow-145.63M-415.65M185.38M5.64B16.71B24.71B

Li Auto Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price16.19
Price Trends
50DMA
17.74
Negative
100DMA
20.71
Negative
200DMA
23.60
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
-0.39
Negative
RSI
37.16
Neutral
STOCH
13.83
Positive
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For LI, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 16.19 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 16.85, below the 50-day MA of 17.74, and below the 200-day MA of 23.60, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -0.39 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 37.16 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 13.83 is Positive, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for LI.

Li Auto Risk Analysis

Li Auto disclosed 110 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Li Auto reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 3 New Risks
1.
We are a “controlled company” within the meaning of the Nasdaq Stock Market Rules and, as a result, may rely on exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements that provide protection to shareholders of other companies. Q4, 2023
2.
We had net losses in the past, which may happen again in the future. Q4, 2023
3.
We may face challenges in expanding our business and operations internationally and our ability to conduct business in international markets may be adversely affected by legal, regulatory, political, and economic risks. Q4, 2023

Li Auto Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (61)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
61
Neutral
$18.38B12.79-2.54%3.03%1.52%-15.83%
55
Neutral
$16.26B27.106.53%-10.00%-54.75%
53
Neutral
$20.44B-5.36-65.28%28.21%44.43%
50
Neutral
$19.69B-49.60-9.01%86.57%51.35%
45
Neutral
$10.55B-3.24-296.45%14.94%2.53%
45
Neutral
$8.14B74.91%-43.10%
41
Neutral
$3.28B-0.94-61.12%45.86%22.13%
* Consumer Cyclical Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
LI
Li Auto
16.19
-7.60
-31.95%
NIO
Nio
4.71
0.53
12.68%
XPEV
XPeng, Inc. ADR
20.65
5.65
37.67%
LCID
Lucid Group
10.12
-18.48
-64.62%
VFS
VinFast Auto
3.43
-0.65
-15.93%
RIVN
Rivian Automotive
16.67
3.38
25.43%

Li Auto Corporate Events

Li Auto Reports Stable Share Capital and Active Incentive Plans in December 2025 Hong Kong Filing
Jan 7, 2026

On January 7, 2026, Li Auto filed a Form 6-K with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission noting that it had submitted a monthly return to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange detailing movements in its authorized share capital and issued shares for the month ended December 31, 2025. The filing shows that Li Auto’s total authorized share capital remained unchanged at 5 billion weighted voting right (WVR) ordinary shares—4.5 billion Class A shares listed in Hong Kong and 500 million unlisted Class B shares—with no change in the number of issued Class A or Class B shares during December. While the overall share count was stable, the company continued to use its equity incentive structures: share options and restricted share units under its 2019 and 2020 plans were exercised and granted, largely settled using existing Class A shares previously issued to a depositary for ADS programs, preserving the outstanding share base and underscoring ongoing employee and management equity participation without immediate dilution to public shareholders. The report also confirms that Li Auto’s outstanding US$862.5 million 2028 convertible senior notes remained unchanged, with potential future dilution of up to about 60.9 million Class A shares if converted, highlighting a significant but currently latent source of additional equity over the medium term.

The most recent analyst rating on (LI) stock is a Hold with a $18.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Li Auto stock, see the LI Stock Forecast page.

Li Auto Tops 1.5 Million Cumulative Deliveries and Expands Overseas in December 2025
Jan 2, 2026

In December 2025, Li Auto delivered 44,246 vehicles, bringing its fourth-quarter 2025 deliveries to 109,194 and lifting cumulative deliveries to 1,540,215 as of December 31, 2025, marking the milestone of 1.5 million vehicles delivered since launch. During the month, the company continued its international push by introducing its Li L9, Li L7, and Li L6 models to Egypt, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan, broadening its presence into Central Asia, the Caucasus, and parts of Africa, while also officially launching its Li AI smart glasses, Livis, which drew positive user feedback; as of year-end 2025, Li Auto’s operational footprint in China comprised 548 retail stores in 159 cities, 561 service and body-and-paint centers in 224 cities, and 3,907 super charging stations with 21,651 charging stalls, underscoring its expanding ecosystem and infrastructure to support further growth for customers and investors alike.

The most recent analyst rating on (LI) stock is a Hold with a $20.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Li Auto stock, see the LI Stock Forecast page.

Li Auto Reports Stable Share Capital for November 2025
Dec 4, 2025

Li Auto Inc. submitted a monthly return form to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on December 4, 2025, detailing the movements in its authorized share capital and issued shares for November 2025. The report indicates that there were no changes in the number of authorized or issued shares during this period. This stability in share capital suggests a steady operational phase for Li Auto, potentially reflecting confidence in its current market strategy and financial health, which may reassure investors and stakeholders.

The most recent analyst rating on (LI) stock is a Hold with a $18.60 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Li Auto stock, see the LI Stock Forecast page.

Li Auto Reports Stable Share Capital for October 2025
Nov 6, 2025

On November 6, 2025, Li Auto Inc. submitted a monthly return form to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, detailing the movements in its authorized share capital and issued shares for October 2025. The report highlighted that there were no changes in the number of authorized or issued shares during the month. This stability in share capital indicates a period of consolidation for the company, potentially reflecting a strategic pause in capital restructuring or expansion activities.

The most recent analyst rating on (LI) stock is a Hold with a $23.50 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Li Auto stock, see the LI Stock Forecast page.

Li Auto Expands Global Presence with New Deliveries and Overseas Stores
Nov 3, 2025

In October 2025, Li Auto Inc. delivered 31,767 vehicles, increasing its cumulative deliveries to 1,462,788. The company is expanding globally, having opened its first overseas retail store in Uzbekistan and planning further expansion in Central Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. Li Auto’s strategic moves aim to strengthen its market presence and enhance its operational capabilities, impacting stakeholders positively by broadening its market reach and increasing its service infrastructure.

The most recent analyst rating on (LI) stock is a Hold with a $23.50 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Li Auto stock, see the LI Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
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: Dec 02, 2025