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Why Pony AI Stock Raced to a 9% Gain Today

By Eric Volkman | October 13, 2025, 7:34 PM

Key Points

  • An analyst initiated coverage of the shares, tagging them with a buy recommendation and a generous price target.

  • Pony AI operates in an environment that's quickly getting more favorable for its business.

Autonomous vehicle technology specialist Pony AI (NASDAQ: PONY) galloped well higher on the stock exchange Monday. Much of this had to with an initiation of coverage by an analyst, which helped accelerate the company's share price by more than 9% that trading session. This easily outpaced that 1.6% rise of the S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) on the day.

Launched with a confident buy recommendation

Monday morning, Johnson Wan of Jefferies formally launched his tracking of Pony AI with a buy recommendation. Wan set his price target for the shares at $32.80 apiece, well up from its recent $22.19 closing price.

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Happy person leaning out of a car window while riding at night.

Image source: Getty Images.

The analyst's move comes amid what he considers to be a transformational moment for China, according to reports.

Wan wrote in his research report that the total addressable transportation market in the country will hit 52 billion yuan ($7.3 billion) by 2030. He singled out Pony AI for being particularly adept at navigating the regulatory landscape of its business and containing costs, among other positives.

Potentially significant acceleration

Jefferies wasn't the only American bank taking notice of recent developments with Pony AI. On Friday, Citigroup flagged the stock as being a subject for its 30-day upside catalyst watch. The reasoning behind this move weren't immediately apparent.

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Citigroup is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Eric Volkman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Jefferies Financial Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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