Kaixin (NASDAQ:KXIN) versus Li Auto (NASDAQ:LI) Critical Survey

Li Auto (NASDAQ:LI) and Kaixin (NASDAQ:KXIN) are both auto/tires/trucks companies, but which is the better stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, profitability, earnings, dividends, valuation, risk and institutional ownership.

Profitability

This table compares Li Auto and Kaixin’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Li Auto	0.99%	1.52%	0.70%
Kaixin	N/A	N/A	N/A

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of recent ratings and target prices for Li Auto and Kaixin, as reported by MarketBeat.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Li Auto	4	11	1	1	1.94
Kaixin	1	0	0	0	1.00

Li Auto presently has a consensus target price of $18.55, suggesting a potential upside of 11.08%. Given Li Auto’s stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, research analysts clearly believe Li Auto is more favorable than Kaixin.

Risk & Volatility

Li Auto has a beta of 0.6, indicating that its share price is 40% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Kaixin has a beta of 1.18, indicating that its share price is 18% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

9.9% of Li Auto shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 2.0% of Kaixin shares are held by institutional investors. 48.5% of Li Auto shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 20.8% of Kaixin shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Earnings & Valuation

This table compares Li Auto and Kaixin”s revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Li Auto	$16.06 billion	1.10	$160.79 million	$0.13	128.46
Kaixin	$31.53 million	0.00	-$40.97 million	N/A	N/A

Li Auto has higher revenue and earnings than Kaixin.

Summary

Li Auto beats Kaixin on 12 of the 13 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Li Auto

Li Auto Inc. operates in the energy vehicle market in the People's Republic of China. It designs, develops, manufactures, and sells premium smart electric vehicles. The company's product line comprises MPVs and sport utility vehicles. It offers sales and after sales management, and technology development and corporate management services, as well as purchases manufacturing equipment. The company offers its products through online and offline channels. The company was formerly known as Leading Ideal Inc. and changed its name to Li Auto Inc. in July 2020. Li Auto Inc. was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in Beijing, the People's Republic of China.

About Kaixin

Kaixin Auto Holdings primarily engages in the sale of domestic and imported automobiles in the People's Republic of China. It focuses on automobiles brands, such as Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Land Rover, Bentley, Rolls-Royce, and Porsche. The company is headquartered in Beijing, the People's Republic of China.