Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (宁德时代) reports Q1 2026 net profit of RMB 20.738 billion, up 48.52% year-on-year

Results: strong growth, slower versus Q4

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (宁德时代) posted first-quarter 2026 results showing revenue of RMB 129.131 billion (1291.31亿元), a 52.45% year‑on‑year increase, and net profit attributable to shareholders of RMB 20.738 billion (207.38亿元), up 48.52% year‑on‑year. The company said the gains were driven by continued growth in its core battery business. However, the Q1 net profit was about 10% below the company’s strong fourth quarter of 2025 (Q4 net profit: 231.67亿元), reflecting seasonal and cycle effects.

Upstream push: a new resources arm

The board approved creating a wholly owned subsidiary, Times Resources Group (Xiamen) Co., Ltd. (时代资源集团(厦门)有限公司, tentative name) with proposed registered capital of RMB 30 billion (300亿元). The unit is positioned as an investment and management platform for new‑energy minerals, intended to integrate existing mining assets and expand domestic and overseas projects to shore up raw‑material supply for batteries. Why expand upstream? For a company that supplies most major automakers, securing lithium, nickel and cobalt is now a strategic imperative amid global competition for critical minerals.

Dividend and shareholder return

The company also unveiled a large cash dividend: for every 10 A‑shares (after share repurchases) it will pay RMB 69.57 (tax included), with a total A‑share cash distribution of about RMB 30.445 billion (304.45亿元). There will be no bonus shares and no conversion of capital reserves into share capital. The record date is April 21, 2026; the ex‑dividend and payment date is April 22, 2026.

Strategic context

CATL is the world’s largest maker of lithium‑ion batteries for electric vehicles, and its moves matter beyond China’s borders. Against a backdrop of rising geopolitical scrutiny over critical supply chains and tighter export and investment controls in the West, the company’s drive to vertically integrate into upstream mining is a defensive and competitive play to ensure supply stability and pricing power. The company said the investment does not involve related‑party transactions, does not constitute a major asset restructuring, and does not require shareholder approval.