On Monday, Deutsche Bank (ETR:DBKGn) resumed coverage on SES AI Corp. (NYSE: NYSE:SES) with a Hold rating and set a price target of $1.50. The firm's analyst highlighted the company's progress with its strategic joint development agreements (JDAs) with automotive partners Honda (NYSE:HMC) and Hyundai (OTC:HYMTF). SES AI Corp. is focused on advancing its battery technology and is on track to deliver B-sample batteries for both partners.
The transition to B-sample production with Honda was first announced late last year, and the agreement with Hyundai followed earlier this year. As part of the Hyundai collaboration, SES AI will establish a dedicated B-sample cell development, assembly, and testing line within a Hyundai facility. This line is expected to be operational early in the fourth quarter, around October.
The installation will also incorporate SES AI's Avatar infrastructure, which will facilitate learning for the subsequent C-sample phase slated for late next year. SES AI aims for the plant to produce 1,000 cells monthly, each undergoing over 1,000 quality checks, including advanced diagnostics like CT scans, x-rays, ultrasounds, and vision.
The B-sample phase is anticipated to take approximately 18 months, during which SES AI intends to demonstrate the safety standards of its larger cells. This phase is crucial for the company as it moves towards the mid-2025 C-sample timeline, which remains on schedule.
In other recent news, SES AI Corporation has released its Q2 financial results and strategic initiatives, highlighting its commitment to integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into the development of next-generation battery technologies for the electric vehicle (EV) and urban air mobility (UAM) sectors.
The company reported operating expenses of $24.6 million, cash used in operations of $22.1 million, and capital expenditures of $3.7 million, ending the quarter with a strong liquidity position of $294.7 million. SES AI also updated its cash usage guidance for 2024, reflecting confidence in its financial standing.
The company's strategy includes the completion of a lithium metal line in South Korea and the conversion of EV lines for UAM production, with plans to monetize AI solutions through licensing and royalties. SES AI aims to deploy tens of thousands of cars with lithium metal batteries for EV and UAM applications and is committed to capital efficiency and attracting top talent in the AI and battery sectors.
In the earnings call, Qichao Hu detailed the company's licensing strategy for AI solutions, with an initial free phase followed by paid licensing. SES AI's AI will provide proactive recommendations for manufacturing and reactive monitoring for safety, positioning the company at the forefront of the AI transformation in the battery industry.
InvestingPro Insights
In light of the recent coverage by Deutsche Bank, SES AI Corp. (NYSE: SES) presents a mix of challenges and opportunities as reflected by InvestingPro data and tips. The company's market capitalization stands at a modest $354 million, indicating a relatively small player in the industry. With a negative P/E ratio of -5.7, SES AI is currently not profitable, a fact further underscored by an EBITDA of -$76.28 million for the last twelve months as of Q2 2024. On the brighter side, SES AI has demonstrated a strong 19.26% return over the past month, suggesting some positive investor sentiment in the short term.
Two notable InvestingPro Tips for SES AI include the fact that the company holds more cash than debt on its balance sheet, which provides some financial stability, and that it is quickly burning through cash, highlighting the urgency for the company to manage its resources efficiently as it progresses through the B-sample production phase. For investors considering SES AI, these insights may be particularly relevant as they weigh the company's current financial health against its growth potential and strategic partnerships with automotive giants like Honda and Hyundai. For a deeper dive into SES AI's financials and additional tips, investors can explore further on InvestingPro, which offers more than 15 tips to guide investment decisions.
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