GWMOTOR (02333) reported a 20.5% year-on-year revenue growth in the third quarter, though its gross margin declined by 0.4 percentage points quarter-on-quarter to 18.4%, and net profit fell short of market expectations. However, CLSA remains optimistic, citing the company's plans to launch new models in both mass-market and premium segments next year. The firm believes GWMOTOR's premiumization strategy will further materialize, boosting exports to regions like Europe and supporting higher average selling prices.
CLSA highlights GWMOTOR's technological edge and sustained pricing power as key drivers for next year's growth. Despite lowering its 2023 revenue and net profit forecasts by 0.5% and 10.8%, respectively, due to Q3 earnings adjustments, the brokerage reaffirmed an "Outperform" rating with a target price of HK$21.