Why is Contemporary Amperex Technology stock sliding today?

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd's stock experienced a decline of 3.5% to HK$498 on Wednesday, marking a continuation of a significant decline throughout September. This downturn can be attributed to mounting concerns among investors regarding key customers reducing their reliance on CATL, the world's largest EV battery manufacturer.

The primary worry stems from a structural shift in how China's leading automobile manufacturers are handling battery procurement. Instead of relying solely on CATL, these automakers are allocating funds towards alternative suppliers and investing in their own proprietary battery technologies. This shift has threatened CATL's long-term pricing advantage.

A notable catalyst for this shift has been Li Auto's decision to invest RMB 2.65 billion in Sunwoda Power, while also announcing that their future vehicles will utilize self-developed batteries. Xiaomi Auto has also embarked on diversifying its supply chain by partnering with CALB and Sunwoda on a co-developed battery project. These actions indicate that CATL is evolving from an indispensable supplier to merely one of several options for China's most rapidly expanding electric vehicle brands.

The challenging operating environment has sparked speculation about potential production cuts at CATL and a possible decline in its third-quarter net profit. Unfortunately, the broader Hong Kong market provided little solace for CATL today, as the Hang Seng Index rose by 0.5%. This report was assisted by artificial intelligence and subsequently reviewed by a human editor.