What's Driving XPeng Inc's Surprising 12% Stock Rally?

XPeng Inc (XPEV, Financial), a prominent player in the electric vehicle (EV) industry, has demonstrated a notable performance in the stock market recently. With a current market capitalization of $7.86 billion and a stock price of $8.32, XPeng has seen a 0.97% gain over the past week and an impressive 11.98% gain over the past three months. Despite these gains, the GF Value, which stands at $24.87, suggests a possible value trap, indicating that investors should think twice before investing. This valuation has remained consistent from a past GF Value of $35.4, maintaining the same cautionary outlook.

Introduction to XPeng Inc

Founded in 2015, XPeng Inc is a leader in China's smart electric vehicle market. The company focuses on the midrange to high-end segments, catering to technology-savvy middle-class consumers. In 2023, XPeng sold over 141,000 EVs, capturing about 2% of China's passenger new energy vehicle market. The company is also at the forefront of developing autonomous driving technology, positioning itself as a key player in the EV industry.

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Assessing XPeng's Profitability

Despite its growth, XPeng's financial health shows areas of concern, particularly in profitability. The company's Profitability Rank is low at 3/10. It has an Operating Margin of -30.55%, which is better than only 6.78% of 1,284 companies in the same sector. Other metrics such as Return on Equity (ROE) and Return on Assets (ROA) stand at -27.75% and -12.61% respectively, each performing better than just over 7% of their industry peers. The Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) is also low at -28.58%. These figures highlight significant challenges in turning capital into profits.

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Exploring XPeng's Growth Metrics

On a brighter note, XPeng's Growth Rank is impressive at 9/10. The company has shown a robust 3-Year Revenue Growth Rate per Share of 27.70%, outperforming 87.99% of 1,232 companies. Its 5-Year Revenue Growth Rate per Share is even more remarkable at 280.00%, surpassing 99.82% of 1,135 companies. Looking ahead, the Total Revenue Growth Rate (Future 3Y To 5Y Est) is projected at 23.60%, which is better than 94.89% of 235 companies. However, the 5-Year EPS without NRI Growth Rate shows a decline of -30.80%, indicating potential issues in maintaining profitability amidst rapid expansion.

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Investor Insights and Market Position

XPeng's stock is held by notable investors including PRIMECAP Management (Trades, Portfolio), which owns 15,549,225 shares, representing 1.65% of the shares outstanding. Other significant holders include the iShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF (Trades, Portfolio) and investor Paul Tudor Jones (Trades, Portfolio), highlighting a diverse investor base with confidence in XPeng's market strategy.

Competitive Landscape

In comparison to its competitors, XPeng holds its ground in a fiercely competitive market. NIO Inc (NIO, Financial) with a market cap of $10.16 billion, VinFast Auto Ltd (VFS, Financial) at $9.82 billion, and Rivian Automotive Inc (RIVN, Financial) at $14.58 billion are some of its closest competitors. Each of these companies shares a similar market capitalization and target market, underscoring the intense competition within the EV sector.

Conclusion

In conclusion, XPeng Inc's recent stock performance and growth metrics present a mixed picture. While the company shows exceptional growth potential, its profitability metrics and the cautionary GF Value suggest that potential investors should carefully consider the risks associated with this investment. The competitive landscape and ongoing innovations in the EV market will play crucial roles in shaping XPeng's future financial health and market position.

This article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein.

Disclosures

I/We may personally own shares in some of the companies mentioned above. However, those positions are not material to either the company or to my/our portfolios.