Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the report is that Macquarie initiates coverage on WeRide (WRD.US, 0800.HK) with an "Outperform" rating, setting target prices of HKD 46 for its Hong Kong stock and USD 17.5 for its U.S. stock [1] - Macquarie highlights WeRide's significant advantages in building a scalable global autonomous driving service network, supported by a diversified L4 product matrix and strategic partnerships [1] - The report emphasizes that the future winners in the autonomous taxi sector will depend on establishing network effects with first-mover advantages and validating scalable profit models, which aligns with WeRide's strategy of rapid overseas market expansion [1] Group 2 - Macquarie notes that while autonomous taxis are expected to grow the fastest, other L4 vehicle models are also crucial for WeRide in establishing regulatory trust overseas, creating synergies that help overcome regulatory barriers in different regions [3] - On February 6, WeRide announced a partnership with Uber to deploy at least 1,200 Robotaxis in the Middle East by 2027, covering major markets such as Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Riyadh [4] - As of January 12, 2026, WeRide's global Robotaxi fleet reached 1,023 vehicles, with operations in over 10 major cities, achieving commercial operations of fully autonomous Robotaxis in Guangzhou, Beijing, and Abu Dhabi, with the Abu Dhabi fleet nearing breakeven on a per-vehicle basis [4]

Group 1 - The core point of the article highlights the significant underperformance of the Huabao Nasdaq Select Fund compared to the Nasdaq index, leading to investor dissatisfaction [10][8][40] - The fund's assets have grown to over 11 billion yuan since its establishment in March 2023, but it has a high concentration in a few stocks, which can lead to volatile performance [11][36] - The fund's year-to-date return is -4.79%, ranking 72 out of 78 in its category, indicating it is among the worst performers [13][38][52] Group 2 - The fund's top holdings include Nvidia (9.83%), Li Auto (9.14%), and Google C (8.19%), with a total of 72.76% of the fund's net asset value concentrated in its top ten holdings [2][36][24] - Despite the strong performance of certain sectors like storage, the fund managers have not adjusted their holdings accordingly, missing out on significant market opportunities [6][35] - The fund has invested in several Chinese concept stocks, which have generally underperformed, further dragging down the fund's overall performance [7][20][42] Group 3 - The fund's performance has led to a backlash from investors, particularly those who entered the market in September 2022, facing losses exceeding 10% [41][17] - The fund managers have been criticized for their strategy, particularly for not capitalizing on high-performing stocks in the U.S. market while heavily investing in underperforming Chinese stocks [47][20] - The fund's management has attempted to justify their strategy by emphasizing the potential of emerging technologies, but this has not alleviated investor concerns [49][25]

WeRide Inc. and Uber Strategic Robotaxi Expansion Summary Company and Industry Overview - **Company**: WeRide Inc. (Ticker: WRD.O, WRD US) - **Industry**: China Autos & Shared Mobility - **Focus**: Expansion of robotaxi services in collaboration with Uber, particularly in the Middle East and beyond Key Takeaways Strategic Expansion - WeRide plans to deploy over **1,200 Level 4 (L4) robotaxis** across three major cities in the Middle East by **2027**, increasing from approximately **200** currently in operation [2][8] - The collaboration will extend to an additional **12 cities** across Asia and Europe [2][8] Financial Projections - The deal is expected to contribute an additional **RMB 500-600 million** in vehicle revenue during **2026-2027** [3] - Each robotaxi is projected to generate over **US$50,000** (~RMB 350,000) in recurring service revenue annually through technology fees and revenue sharing [3][8] - Revenue visibility is expected to improve under an asset-light business model, supporting sustainable global scaling [3] Market Dynamics - The global competition in the robotaxi sector is intensifying, with the Middle East's **120,000+** cab/ride-hailing fleet presenting a significant opportunity [4] - The adoption of L4+ technology in Europe and ASEAN markets could yield substantial returns [4] - Chinese robotaxi solutions are estimated to reduce time to market by **40%** and costs by **30%** for global players [4] Financial Metrics - **Current Stock Price**: **US$7.81** (as of February 6, 2026) - **Price Target**: **US$14.70**, indicating an **88% upside potential** [6] - **Market Capitalization**: Approximately **RMB 18,542.1 million** [6] - **Projected Revenue Growth**: From **RMB 361 million** in 2024 to **RMB 4,634 million** by 2027 [6] Risks and Considerations Upside Risks - Faster-than-expected commercialization of robotaxis and robovans [11] - Earlier net profit achievement than projected [11] Downside Risks - Potential delays or cancellations of orders for robotaxis and related vehicles [11] - Regulatory challenges in China regarding driverless vehicles [11] - Difficulties in obtaining necessary licenses for overseas operations [11] Conclusion WeRide Inc.'s strategic partnership with Uber marks a significant step in the expansion of robotaxi services, with promising financial projections and a strong market opportunity. However, potential regulatory and operational risks must be carefully monitored as the company scales its operations globally.

Core Viewpoint - WeRide (WRD.US) announced plans to deploy at least 1,200 autonomous taxis in the Middle East in collaboration with Uber by 2027, indicating a clear path to commercial scalability for the company [1] Group 1: Company Performance - WeRide's stock closed up 6.11% on February 6, reaching $7.81, and continued to rise by 1.41% in pre-market trading to $7.92 [1] - The company's total market capitalization is approximately $2.674 billion [1] - The stock has a 52-week high of $44.00 and a low of $6.03, indicating significant volatility [1] Group 2: Analyst Insights - Morgan Stanley reiterated an "Overweight" rating for WeRide with a target price of $17, expressing confidence in the company's global partnerships and focus on L4 ADAS technology [1] - The report suggests that as the market adjusts to competitive landscape changes, WeRide's asset-light model will enable it to perform well [1]

Investment Rating - Kuaishou Technology is rated as BUY with a target price of HK$80.00 [6][7][8] - WeRide Inc. is also rated as BUY with a target price of US$13.00 for ADR and HK$34.00 for its Hong Kong shares [9][10][13] Core Insights - Kuaishou Technology is expected to achieve a 10% year-on-year revenue growth in 4Q25, with an adjusted net profit of RMB5.4 billion [6][8] - Despite short-term pressures from stricter tax scrutiny and intense competition, Kuaishou's long-term monetization potential is bolstered by its AI initiatives and ecosystem integrations [6][7][8] - WeRide Inc. anticipates a significant revenue increase of over 70% quarter-on-quarter in 4Q25, driven by growth in its Robotaxi and Robobus segments [9][10][13] - The company aims to double its Robotaxi fleet to over 2,000 units by the end of 2026, with a focus on key markets in China and international expansion in the Middle East [10][11][13] Summary by Sections Kuaishou Technology - The company is projected to have a revenue increase of 10% year-on-year for 4Q25, with an adjusted net profit of RMB5.4 billion [6][8] - Long-term monetization potential is supported by AI developments and integration with core business ecosystems [6][7][8] WeRide Inc. - Expected revenue for 4Q25 is projected to be between RMB290 million and RMB300 million, with a full-year revenue forecast of RMB660 million to RMB670 million [9][10][13] - The gross margin is anticipated to remain above 30%, although increased R&D spending may impact net profits [9][10][13] - The company plans to expand its Robotaxi fleet significantly, with a strategic focus on both domestic and international markets [10][11][13]

Core Insights - WeRide and Uber have announced an upgraded strategic partnership to deploy at least 1,200 Robotaxis in the Middle East by 2027, covering Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Riyadh [1][2] - The Robotaxis will be integrated into the Uber app for public transportation, with ongoing operations already established in Abu Dhabi and open services in Dubai and Riyadh [2] - The partnership aims to expand the Robotaxi fleet based on existing operational success and a favorable regulatory environment, with plans for further investment contingent on regulatory approvals [2] Group 1 - The deployment of 1,200 Robotaxis represents the largest commercial deployment of Robotaxis in the MENA region to date [2] - WeRide's CEO highlighted the goal of deploying tens of thousands of Robotaxis globally over the next five years, leveraging existing operational results and partnerships [2] - Uber's head of autonomous driving emphasized the significance of this collaboration as a milestone in Uber's autonomous driving strategy in the Middle East [2] Group 2 - The strategic partnership accelerates the previously established plan to add Robotaxi services in 15 international cities over five years, with three cities already operational [2] - WeRide's light-asset operational model allows Uber or local partners to manage fleet operations while WeRide provides autonomous driving technology [2] - WeRide has already deployed over 200 Robotaxis in the Middle East, with the potential for significant market leadership as the fleet expands [4]

Core Viewpoint - WeRide and Uber are expanding their strategic partnership to deploy at least 1,200 Robotaxis across the Middle East, with completion expected by 2027 [1][2]. Group 1: Partnership Expansion - The deployment will cover Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Riyadh, with all Robotaxis available through the Uber app [2][5]. - The fleet will be progressively scaled up as regulatory approvals and performance milestones are achieved [2][5]. Group 2: Market Impact - This announcement represents the largest Robotaxi commercial commitment in the MENA region, aiming for tens of thousands of Robotaxis globally in the next five years [3]. - The existing fleet in Abu Dhabi is averaging dozens of daily trips per Robotaxi and is on track to achieve breakeven unit economics [6]. Group 3: Operational Model - WeRide follows an asset-light operating model, with Uber or local third-party partners responsible for fleet operations [5]. - Currently, WeRide has more than 200 Robotaxis operating in the region, with plans to expand to 15 cities by 2030 [5]. Group 4: Company Background - WeRide is a leader in the autonomous driving industry, having tested or operated vehicles in over 40 cities across 11 countries [8]. - Uber has facilitated over 72 billion trips since its inception in 2010, focusing on creating opportunities through movement [9].

Market Overview - On February 5, US stock indices opened lower, with the Nasdaq down 1.58%, the Dow down 0.5%, and the S&P 500 down 1.04%. Over 3,000 individual stocks declined [1] - The Nasdaq China Golden Dragon Index rose by 0.58%, closing at 7504.59 points [3] Company-Specific Developments - Google shares fell over 6% due to concerns over high capital expenditure guidance [1] - NIO's stock increased by over 7% as the company reported its first quarterly adjusted operating profit [1] - Qualcomm's shares dropped over 10% following a weak Q2 earnings forecast [1] - Coupang, a South Korean e-commerce giant, saw its stock decline by over 9% after confirming a data breach affecting 165,000 users [1] - Estée Lauder's stock plummeted 18% due to increased marketing costs and lower-than-expected earnings guidance for the year [1] Sector Performance - Weight loss drug stocks faced setbacks, with Novo Nordisk down over 4% and Eli Lilly down over 3% [1] - Cryptocurrency-related stocks also fell, with Strategy down over 7%, Coinbase down over 4%, and Circle down over 2% [2] Commodity Market - Gold prices fell significantly, with spot gold down 3.16% to $4811.27 per ounce, and silver down over 16% to $73.695 per ounce [9] - Brent crude oil decreased by 2.97% to $67.40 per barrel, while WTI crude oil fell to $63.17 per barrel, down 3.02% [11]

Core Viewpoint - Global leading autonomous driving company, WeRide (WRD.US), saw a pre-market increase of 2.8%, reaching $7.31 per share, following the announcement of a capital increase from 3.5 billion RMB to 4 billion RMB, a growth of approximately 14% [1] Company Summary - WeRide has established a diverse product matrix covering five major areas: autonomous taxis, minibuses, freight vehicles, sanitation vehicles, and driver assistance solutions [1] - The company operates in over 40 cities across 11 countries and is the only enterprise with products that hold autonomous driving licenses in eight countries [1] - As of now, WeRide's Robotaxi fleet exceeds 1,600 vehicles, with nearly six years of public operation and over 55 million kilometers of autonomous driving mileage [1]

Core Insights - China is a significant player in the automated driving industry, with major companies like Baidu, Pony.ai, and WeRide leading the development of robotaxis [5][6][7] - The article aims to provide insights into the experiences of riding robotaxis in China, highlighting the differences in service availability and operational areas compared to Western counterparts [2][4] Company Overview - Baidu Apollo, the automated driving unit of Baidu, is often compared to Alphabet's Waymo and has a dedicated app for users [6] - Pony.ai operates in both China and the United States, offering its services through the PonyPilot app [6] - WeRide focuses on robotaxis and automated shuttles, with its own app available for users [7] Market Landscape - Major Chinese cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Wuhan, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen are actively involved in robotaxi services, although these services are often limited to specific pilot zones [9][10][11] - Baidu's Apollo robotaxis are particularly prominent in Wuhan, where they provide a reliable automated vehicle service for commuters [13] Service Characteristics - Robotaxi services in China are generally confined to designated pilot zones, and users may need to travel to specific areas to access these services [10][12] - In Beijing, the Yizhuang area is a key location for automated driving activity, while Shanghai offers several areas for potential rides, albeit with significant travel required to reach them [11][12] User Experience - The apps for booking robotaxi rides can be challenging for users, often requiring a local Chinese phone number and knowledge of the Chinese language [18][22] - Users can change their destination during a ride, with varying policies across different providers, which can lead to interesting driving maneuvers in busy urban environments [26] Future Outlook - The article suggests that despite the current limitations, China's robotaxi services are advancing rapidly and are worth exploring for those interested in automated driving technology [28]