CATL financial results for the first half of 2026. Energy storage revenue surges and record share buyback announced

Chinese technology giant CATL has published its financial report for the first half of 2026. Revenue from energy storage systems rose by 87.5%, while net profit reached RMB 43.28 billion.

The company’s total revenue in the first half of the year amounted to RMB 276.92 billion, representing a year-on-year increase of 54.8%. Net profit attributable to shareholders rose by 42% to RMB 43.28 billion. Adjusted net profit reached RMB 39.01 billion, up 43.4%.

Rapid growth in the energy storage segment

Revenue from battery energy storage systems reached RMB 53.26 billion. This represented an increase of 87.5% year on year, with the segment accounting for 19.2% of the company’s total revenue.

The segment’s gross profit margin was 23.96%. Although slightly lower than a year earlier, it remained above the margin generated by batteries for electric vehicles.

Citing data from Chinese research provider ICCSino, the company said its energy storage battery shipments ranked first globally during the first six months of 2026.

Automotive business and overseas markets

The EV battery business remains the company’s largest division. Revenue from this segment rose by 46% to RMB 192.12 billion, while its gross margin fell to 20.63%. During the first five months of the year, CATL’s share of global EV battery usage reached 40.2%.

Overseas revenue increased by 42.4% to RMB 87.13 billion, accounting for 31.5% of total sales. The gross margin on overseas operations stood at 29.97%, significantly above the 21.16% recorded in China.

Record share buyback and dividend

CATL also announced plans to repurchase Shenzhen-listed shares worth between RMB 20 billion and RMB 40 billion. The shares are to be cancelled, reducing the company’s registered capital. It is the largest single share buyback programme ever announced on China’s A-share market.

The board also proposed a cash dividend of RMB 14.11 for every 10 shares. The total distribution is expected to amount to approximately RMB 6.49 billion.