Q: I’ve held BYD for a number of years and have tried to be patient recently, but I’m wondering with its significant headwinds if it’s time to move on. What are your thoughts on BYD going forward, and do you have better suggestions for another consumer discretionary or consumer defensive stock?
5i Research Answer:
BYD is recovering (fundamentally) this year as it has laid out its three-year growth plan (comments posted in Q&A). After a very weak 2024, very strong earnings growth is expected in 2025. There are some risks, but the worst might be over here, though market and execution risks remain. We are OK with it at current levels. That being said, DOL or ATD would be more defensive, and might hold up better in a weak market/economy. We would be OK with a switch here, though we would not rate BYD a SELL today.