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Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd.  reported  better-than-expected earnings for 2025 , as strong vehicle sales and internal restructuring helped the company close the gap with industry leader  BYD Co. . Earnings Beat Driven by Strong Sales Growth Geely posted  net profit of 16.85 billion yuan (US$2.4 billion) , slightly above market expectations of 16.5 billion yuan. Revenue surged  25% year-on-year to 345.2 billion yuan , supported by strong demand across its vehicle lineup. On an adjusted basis, excluding one-off items,  profit jumped 36% , indicating improving operational efficiency. Vehicle deliveries rose nearly  40% to 3 million units , driven by popular models such as the  EX2 hatchback (Xingyuan) and premium offerings like the  Zeekr 9X SUV , which has led sales in the high-end segment. Market Share Gains Against BYD Geely has been steadily gaining ground on BYD, even  outselling its rival globally in the first two months of 2026 , m...

European auto shares tumbled Monday even after the U.S. and European Union agreed on a new trade framework that slashes threatened tariffs on EU goods. The deal, announced Sunday in Scotland, reduces import duties on European automobiles from a potential 30% to  15% . While the cut avoids a full-scale trade war, the market response was anything but celebratory. Auto Stocks Take a Hit Volkswagen (VWAGY)  dropped 2.9% BMW  slid 3.2% Mercedes-Benz (MBGYY)  fell 2.4% U.S.-listed  Stellantis (STLA)  sank 5.3% Ford (F)  and  GM (GM)  eased 1.1% and 0.3%, respectively The declines came despite European industry leaders calling the agreement a “relief.” German Automotive Association President Hildegard Müller said the framework prevented “further escalation” but warned the 15% levy would still  cost German automakers billions annually . Investor Sentiment: Relief or Reality Check? The muted market reaction suggests investors were hoping for more...

Markets love clarity — even if it’s temporary. Asian equities opened the midweek session in  green territory , led by a  1.7% surge in Japan’s Nikkei , after US President  Donald Trump unveiled a fresh trade deal with Japan . The news, laced with promises of  US$550 billion in Japanese investments  and a  15% reciprocal tariff , injected optimism into a market hungry for relief from policy uncertainty. Auto stocks stole the show : Mazda : +12% Toyota : +10% Meanwhile,  MSCI Asia-Pacific ex-Japan  nudged higher (+0.2%), with strength seen in  Australia and South Korea . Why It Matters for Investors: While markets cheered the “deal,” veteran economist  Norihiro Yamaguchi  reminded us: the devil’s in the (missing) details. “Lowered uncertainty is welcomed in equities, but it offers little upside to the real economy for now.” So, is this a  short-term sugar high  or a genuine shift? Here’s What We’re Watching: More deals in th...