Tesla battery maker sees shares jump in Hong Kong debut

The largest electric vehicle battery manufacturer in the world, Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Limited, commonly known as CATL, has experienced a significant surge in its stock price on its first day of trading in Hong Kong. This event marks the largest initial public offering, or IPO, of the year thus far. CATL is responsible for producing over one-third of all electric vehicle batteries sold globally and supplies major automotive brands such as Tesla, Volkswagen, and Toyota. The IPO was closely monitored due to the ongoing trade tensions between the United States and China, which have disrupted the global trading landscape and adversely affected car manufacturers. Earlier this year, the US Department of Defense included CATL on a list of companies it claims has ties to the Chinese military, a claim that CATL has firmly denied, asserting that it is solely a battery manufacturer. The company successfully raised nearly HK$35. 7 billion, equivalent to approximately $4. 55 billion, from this listing, with its shares increasing by as much as 18% on the first day. Neil Beveridge, the head of research for Asia at Bernstein, commented, 'The performance of the stock was very good in what is going to be a key IPO for Hong Kong given the size of the listing. ' CATL is already listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange in China, where it boasts a valuation exceeding one trillion yuan, or about $138. 7 billion. The company heavily relies on the Chinese market, which accounts for nearly 70% of its total revenue. This reliance on the domestic market means that CATL is somewhat insulated from the impact of US trade policies, as noted by Mr. Beveridge, who stated, 'The direct implications of what we are seeing with tariffs will only have a limited effect on the company. ' Founded in 2011 in Ningde, a city in eastern China, CATL has experienced rapid growth, largely due to the boom in the electric vehicle industry within the country. The battery giant employs over 100,000 individuals and operates 13 production facilities worldwide. Currently, CATL is in the process of constructing its second factory in Europe, located in Hungary, following the opening of a plant in Germany earlier this year. In December, the company announced a partnership with Stellantis, the parent company of Chrysler, to establish a $4. 3 billion electric vehicle battery plant in Spain, which is expected to commence operations by the end of next year. CATL invests significantly in research and development, with six centers dedicated to innovation located around the globe. Tim Buckley, the founder of the independent Australian think tank Climate Energy Finance, remarked, 'The innovations that we're seeing from CATL are unbelievable, particularly in the fast charging area. ' Last month, the company introduced a new battery capable of being charged for 323 miles, or 520 kilometers, in just five minutes. CATL is a key supplier for Tesla, providing lithium iron phosphate batteries for the electric vehicle manufacturer's factory in Shanghai. However, US lawmakers have raised concerns regarding potential national security risks associated with the Chinese company. In April, the chair of the House Select Committee on China sent letters to the CEOs of JPMorgan and Bank of America, urging them to withdraw from their involvement in CATL's Hong Kong listing. Despite the skepticism surrounding Chinese firms from Washington, Mr. Buckley believes that the US should seek collaboration with China in advancing renewable energy technologies. He stated, 'They're rejecting by far the best technology players in the world when it comes to clean tech.