For Tesla supplier Contemporary Amperex Technology , selling battery packs to major electric companies is just the start of its ambitions. “We believe the company is not just a hardware manufacturer, but it will also be a software ecosystem provider,” Morgan Stanley analysts led by Jack Lu said in a report Wednesday. They pointed to CATL’s artificial intelligence-powered tools for monitoring batteries on the road and giving early safety warnings. “As AI develops, the ecosystem will likely further evolve and provide more value added soft services to customers,” the Morgan Stanley analysts said, noting that improved safety will also strengthen CATL’s business partnerships and competitiveness. Morgan Stanley raised its price target on CATL’s Hong Kong-listed shares to 445 Hong Kong dollars ($56.69), up 14% from 390 HKD previously. The new price target is nearly 18% above where CATL closed Friday, after reaching an intraday high of 395 HKD on Thursday. That was the highest since CATL shares listed in Hong Kong on May 20 in the world’s biggest IPO of 2025. The company’s mainland-listed shares have traded at an abnormally large discount to the Hong Kong shares. CATL also looks to be a step closer to generating revenue from licensing. Ford agreement U.S. automaker Ford has planned to open a battery factory through a licensing agreement with CATL. But the deal …
