China’s latest PMI data points to a cautiously stabilising economy, with global demand for high-tech exports, AI hardware, and renewable equipment helping to offset weak local spending and a sluggish property sector. For investors, that combination of export strength and selective industrial profit growth creates a focused opportunity set, as some companies are more directly exposed to these cross-border AI and high-tech trends than others. This article breaks down 3 stocks from our AI and High-Tech Exporters screener that appear positively exposed to the news. It aims to help you decide which ideas might deserve a closer look and which might warrant more patience.

NIO (NIO)

Overview: NIO is a Shanghai based electric vehicle company that designs, manufactures, and sells smart SUVs and sedans, supported by its own charging, battery swapping, and digital services network across China, Europe, and selected international markets.

Operations: NIO generates all of its CN¥101b in revenue from smart electric vehicle related business in mainland China.

Market Cap: US$12.2b

NIO sits at the crossroads of China’s high tech exports and the global shift to premium EVs. Its battery swap network, in house powertrain manufacturing, and expanding model line up provide levers for both volume and recurring service revenue. Forecasts for faster earnings growth than revenue and a low P/S multiple indicate that the market remains cautious about its loss making history, funding structure, and rising geopolitical scrutiny, including its recent inclusion on the U.S. DoD list. For investors, the key consideration is whether improving cost discipline, higher margin software and services, and export demand tied to AI era manufacturing can outweigh those risks.

NIO’s push into premium EVs with its swap network and services is only half the story. Get the full picture with the analyst forecasts for NIO and see what expectations might be missing about its path to profitability.

Dongfeng Motor Group (DNFG.Y)

Overview: Dongfeng Motor Group is a Wuhan based automaker that designs, builds, and sells a wide range of commercial trucks, buses, and passenger cars, while also offering financing, leasing, logistics, and used car services across China as part of state owned Dongfeng Motor Corporation.

Operations: Dongfeng Motor Group generates all of its CN¥121.3b in revenue in the People's Republic of China.

Market Cap: US$9.6b

Dongfeng Motor Group gives you exposure to China’s auto supply chain at a time when official PMI data points to firming manufacturing activity and strong global appetite for high tech and new energy products. The company is currently loss making, yet analysts expect earnings and revenue to grow quickly and its low P/S multiple sits well below peer and sector averages, which may appeal to value focused investors. Partnerships with Stellantis around new energy vehicles for Europe and Jeep and Peugeot branded models for global markets link Dongfeng directly to export oriented growth themes. The trade off is a higher risk funding structure and ongoing losses, so the key question is whether its scale, product breadth, and international ties can justify taking that risk.

Dongfeng’s scale, low P/S and global partnerships suggest the stock might be pricing in more risk than its China and export footprint implies. The 1 key reward and 1 important major warning sign could be the missing piece that explains what the market may be overlooking

XPeng (XPEV)

Overview: XPeng is a Guangzhou based electric vehicle company that designs and sells smart EVs such as the P7 sedan, G6 and G9 SUVs, and X9 MPV, built on its own SEPA 2.0 platform and powered by in house software including the XOS Tianji operating system.

Operations: XPeng generates CN¥73.9b in revenue from auto manufacturing in the PRC, with all reported sales coming from its smart EV related business in China.

Market Cap: US$11.6b

XPeng sits at the heart of China’s AI driven EV export story, with its own Turing AI chips, X-Mind autonomous driving framework, and Physical AI ecosystem feeding into vehicles, robotaxis, and robotics. Recent updates highlight rising international deliveries, EU range and charging test results for the X9, and partnership revenue from Volkswagen. These developments support the case for growing higher margin software and IP income over time. At the same time, XPeng is still loss making, faces fierce price competition in China, and relies heavily on external borrowing, so funding risk is not trivial. The key question for investors is whether its AI stack and overseas scale-up justify looking past those pressures.

XPeng’s AI stack, export push, and Volkswagen partnership hint at a business that could evolve beyond pure car sales. See how the analyst forecasts for XPeng lines up with that story, and what crucial tension might be hiding underneath.

The 3 stocks covered here are just a starting point, with the full AI and High-Tech Exporters screener surfacing 30 more companies that pair export exposure with equally compelling AI and high tech narratives. Use Simply Wall St to identify, filter, and analyze the specific catalysts, financial traits, and stories that matter most to you so you can focus on your highest conviction ideas.

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If NIO or any of these companies sound like a great opportunity, register for FREE with Simply Wall St and add your companies to a Watchlist to monitor the share price against the fair value the ideal entry point. Once you've made your move, manage your holdings with our Portfolio Command Center that filters out the noise to deliver only the most critical, actionable updates. Throughout your journey, our Community allows you to filter the best ideas from thousands of investor perspectives. By uncovering hidden catalysts and risks early, you'll accelerate your decision-making and stay one step ahead of the market.

Seeking Fresh Alternatives Before They Fly?

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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.