Morgan Stanley explains why Nio stock is falling

Published 13/08/2025, 13:32
© Reuters.

Investing.com -- NIO (HK:9866) (NYSE:NIO) shares fell on Wednesday despite solid order intake for its new L90 model, with Morgan Stanley pointing to a mix of production concerns, potential fundraising fears, and fragile market sentiment as possible drivers of the decline.

The automaker’s Hong Kong shares closed 2.9% lower on Wednesday, underperforming the 2.6% gain in the broader Hang Seng Index.

The drop follows a strong recent run, with both its U.S. and Hong Kong listings up about 30% quarter-to-date versus a 6% rise in the benchmark.

The first factor, according to Morgan Stanley analysts, is “concerns over L90 production ramp-up and delivery.”

Given the company’s weaker track record with previous launches, some investors have worried about potential supply hiccups.

The brokerage noted that Onvo, Nio’s mass-market brand, recently began offering L90 customers a smaller 60-kWh battery pack at a monthly rental instead of the 85-kWh pack that came standard.

“The unexpected offering raised market concerns over the supply bottleneck of L90,” a team led by Tim Hsiao wrote, though it added that its checks suggest the worry may be overdone.

The second concern is that strong stock performance could trigger a capital raise.

“As most EV startups are yet in self-funding positions, investors are concerned that strong stock outperformance could lead to potential fundraising activity,” the analysts said, though they stressed it has no knowledge of such a plan.

Lastly, the team pointed to a “fragile market sentiment,” with more volatile and unpredictable reactions to new product launches and quarterly results making investors hesitant.

Expectations for the L90 have risen, and “it would take quality execution to beat market expectations,” the analysts said.

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