China Merchants CSI Battery Theme ETF

Masdar, in partnership with Al Khadra Partners, KOMIPO, and OQAE, has achieved financial close on the $300 million Ibri III solar PV IPP in Oman. The project, which includes a 500 MW solar plant and a 100 MWh battery storage system, secured financing from Natixis CIB and First Abu Dhabi Bank. A power purchase agreement was signed with Nama Power and Water Procurement, and the EPC contract was awarded to CPECC. This initiative aligns with Oman's Vision 2040 strategy to generate 30% of electricity from renewables by 2030.

Zawya

ZAWYA-PROJECTS: Masdar-led consortium reaches financial close on $300mln Ibri III solar PV IPP in Oman

China's electric vehicle (EV) battery installations surged by 40.4% in 2025, totaling 769.7 GWh. Lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries dominated with 625.3 GWh, representing 81.2% of total installations and a 52.9% year-on-year growth. Ternary battery installations reached 144.1 GWh, a 3.7% increase. In December 2025 alone, installations hit 98.1 GWh, marking a 35.1% year-on-year rise. The overall production of power and energy storage batteries in December reached 201.7 GWh, up 62.1% year-on-year.

CnEVPost

China EV battery installations rise 40.4% to 769.7 GWh in 2025

In 2025, the installed capacity of automotive power batteries in China reached 769.7 GWh, a year-on-year increase of 40.4%. Among them, the installed capacity in December was 98.1 GWh, a month-on-month increase of 4.9% and a year-on-year increase of 35.1%

Wallstreetcn

In 2025, the domestic power battery installation volume is 769.7 GWh, a year-on-year increase of 40.4%

As of now, the number of artificial intelligence companies in China has exceeded 6,200, and large AI models are widely applied across various industries, expanding a rich array of application scenarios. For example, in the Wujiang River Basin, Huadian's intelligent large model optimizes the integrated operation of water, wind, and solar power through a smart scheduling system, increasing the utilization rate of cascade hydropower to 10.8%; on the production line of new energy vehicle charging piles in Qingdao, Shandong, real-time monitoring and intelligent management of the charging process are implemented

From energy to breeding, the number of artificial intelligence companies in China has exceeded 6,200

China has mandated that electric vehicle (EV) power batteries must remain with the vehicle upon scrapping, effective April 1, 2026. This regulation aims to prevent discarded batteries from entering uncontrolled channels, as the volume of waste power batteries is projected to exceed one million tons annually by 2030. Manufacturers are responsible for recycling the batteries they produce or import, and old EVs without batteries will be classified as incomplete vehicles. The move addresses growing concerns over battery disposal as the EV industry expands.

China mandates EV batteries must remain with vehicles upon scrapping

Consumer stocks saw gains in afternoon trading, with the Consumer Staples ETF rising 0.1% and the Consumer Discretionary ETF up 0.6%. Amazon is contesting Saks Global Enterprises' bankruptcy plan, claiming breach of contract, while Paramount's lawsuit against Warner Bros. was not fast-tracked. Ford is negotiating battery purchases from BYD for hybrid vehicles and emphasized the need to update the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement. Amazon shares increased by 1%, while Paramount and Warner Bros. shares fell by 1.7% and 0.3%, respectively.

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Sector Update: Consumer Stocks Advance in Afternoon Trading

Citigroup's research report pointed out that China's exports performed strongly at the end of last year, with both imports and exports exceeding expectations. Exports grew by 5.5% to USD 3.8 trillion, and the trade surplus reached USD 1.2 trillion, both setting historical highs. Citigroup believes that strong exports will drive GDP growth to 5% and become a key driver of economic growth. It is expected that the exchange rate of the US dollar against the Chinese yuan will be around 6.8 in the next 6 to 12 months

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Citigroup

Citigroup expects that strong Chinese exports will be key to economic growth this year, with the USD/CNY exchange rate projected to be 6.8 in the next 6 to 12 months

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The three major A-share indices opened lower, with the Shanghai Composite Index at 4,106 points, down 0.5%; the Shenzhen Component Index at 14,158 points, down 0.6%; and the ChiNext Index at 3,318 points, down 0.9%. CITIC Securities opened up 0.5%, with a performance growth of 38.5%. MINLIST and its controlling shareholder's asset swap resumed trading and hit the daily limit, while GUOXIN MICRO's proposed acquisition of 100% equity in Ruineng Semiconductor also resumed trading and hit the daily limit. The RMB central parity was adjusted to 7.0064 against the US dollar, and the People's Bank of China conducted reverse repurchase operations

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The three major A-share indices of Shanghai and Shenzhen opened lower by 0.5% to 0.9%. After the performance report, Xinjian Securities opened higher, and GUOXIN MICRO and MINLIST resumed trading with a limit-up

TSLA

On Wednesday (January 14), the Bloomberg Electric Vehicle Price Return Index fell by 0.37%, closing at 3611.80 points. The Asia-Pacific early session index saw a slight increase, but experienced a significant drop at 13:00 Beijing time, refreshing the daily low to 3597.59 points at 14:07, and then continued to fluctuate. Among the constituent stocks, Rivian fell by 7.7%, Micron Technology fell by 4.1%, STMicroelectronics fell by 2.4%, and Tesla fell by 2.2%; XPeng rose by 1.9%, Plug Power rose by 2.4%, BMW rose by 2.7%, Solid Power rose by 3.6%, EVGO rose by 5.9%, and MP Materials rose by 8.3%

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Macquarie Group Says Spodumene, Lithium Hydroxide, Lithium Carbonate Prices Soar in Fiscal 2026 Over China Supply Concerns, Higher Battery Demand

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Macquarie Group

Macquarie Group Says Spodumene, Lithium Hydroxide, Lithium Carbonate Prices Soar in Fiscal 2026 Over China Supply Concerns, Higher Battery Demand

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Lithium prices surged in China after the government announced a rollback of VAT export rebates for battery products, effective from April. The most-active lithium carbonate contract rose 9% to 156,060 yuan per metric ton, the highest since November 2023. Analysts expect exporters to increase shipments ahead of the tax changes, boosting near-term battery output and lithium demand. Prices have risen 167% since last year's low, driven by production halts at CATL's mine and increasing demand for energy storage systems.

Reuters

CATL

Lithium soars as China to revoke battery export tax rebates

Asian stock indexes rose on Monday, influenced by Wall Street gains and ongoing geopolitical tensions. Gold and silver prices hit record highs as demand for safe-haven assets increased amid concerns over U.S. interest rate cuts. Japan's markets were closed for a holiday, while China's index climbed 0.75%, led by tech and clean energy stocks. Hong Kong's index gained 0.86%, but India's fell 0.56% due to foreign outflows. Australia's index rose 0.56%, supported by strong household spending. U.S. stock futures dipped as geopolitical tensions persisted and the DOJ investigated the Federal Reserve.

businessinsider

Asian indexes mostly higher tracking Wall Street gains; geopolitical tensions simmer

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The Chinese automotive industry is undergoing a transformation, shifting from quantitative growth to qualitative improvement. Companies such as Great Wall Motor, CATL, and BYD have begun to enhance employee benefits, implement two-day weekends, and adjust salaries. However, the price war remains severe, market demand is declining, and consumers are facing multiple economic pressures. Despite the initial effectiveness of the "anti-involution" movement, automakers still need to confront a challenging path of transformation

- The Chinese automotive industry is experiencing subtle changes, highlighted by companies like Great Wall Motors and BYD improving employee benefits.  
- While these companies are focusing on supply chain health and financial stability, they face challenges from ongoing price wars and a decrease in consumer purchasing power.  
- Experts suggest that despite these positive signals, the industry still struggles with competitive pressures, indicating a prolonged transformation ahead.

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Mainland car companies' "anti-involution" still face a dilemma; the industrial transformation from "quantity" to "quality" has become a long and arduous battle

The core logic of this round of bull market lies in the downward movement of AI technology and the upward movement of exports. The main index has broken through 4034 points, and the market is generally bullish, with expectations for upward space in the main index by 2026. Currently, attention should be paid to the transition of liquidity and fundamentals, as well as the logic of the year-end market rally. The small and mid-cap indices are performing strongly and will transition towards the four major pillars, emphasizing the co-dance of new and old industries, especially the breakthroughs in AI applications and the transformation of traditional industries

The core logic of this round of bull market: "AI technology moves downstream, while exports and overseas expansion move upstream."

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The concept of new energy batteries continues to rise, with multiple ETFs increasing by over 2%. As of the time of writing, Harvest CSI Battery Theme ETF rose by 2.89%, Fullgoal CSI Battery Theme ETF rose by 2.54%, China Universal CSI Battery Theme ETF rose by 2.33%, China Merchants CSI Battery Theme ETF rose by 2.33%, and E Fund CNI New Energy Battery ETF rose by 2.28%

China Merchants CSI Battery Theme ETF(561910.SH)

ZAWYA-PROJECTS: Masdar-led consortium reaches financial close on $300mln Ibri III solar PV IPP in Oman

China EV battery installations rise 40.4% to 769.7 GWh in 2025

In 2025, the domestic power battery installation volume is 769.7 GWh, a year-on-year increase of 40.4%

From energy to breeding, the number of artificial intelligence companies in China has exceeded 6,200

China mandates EV batteries must remain with vehicles upon scrapping