Comprehensive Stock Comparison
Compare Li Auto Inc. (LI) vs General Motors Company (GM) Stock
Analyze side-by-side fundamentals, valuation, growth, and profitability to decide which stock is the better buy.
Selected Stocks
Add up to 10 tickers. Use presets or search to get started.
Quick Verdict
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | LI | 16.7% revenue growth vs GM's -1.3% |
| Value | LI | Lower P/E (3.7x vs 6.4x) |
| Quality / Margins | LI | 3.6% net margin vs GM's 1.8% |
| Stability / Safety | LI | Beta 0.77 vs GM's 0.89, lower leverage |
| Dividends | GM | 0.9% yield; 4-year raise streak; LI pays no meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | GM | +61.4% vs LI's -42.8% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | LI | 2.9% ROA vs GM's 1.2%, ROIC 209.3% vs 1.3% |
Who Each Stock Is For
Income & stability
Growth exposure
Long-term compounding (10Y)
Sleep-well-at-night portfolio
Defensive / Recession hedge
Business Model
What each company does and how it makes money
Li Auto is a Chinese premium electric vehicle manufacturer specializing in smart SUVs and MPVs. It generates revenue primarily from vehicle sales — with additional income from charging solutions, accessories, and software services — though vehicle sales dominate its revenue mix. The company's competitive advantage lies in its extended-range electric vehicle technology that eliminates range anxiety, combined with its premium brand positioning in China's growing EV market.
General Motors is a global automotive manufacturer that designs, builds, and sells vehicles under brands like Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick, and GMC. It generates revenue primarily from vehicle sales — with North America contributing about 80% of automotive revenue — supplemented by financing operations through GM Financial and connected services. The company's competitive advantage lies in its massive scale and manufacturing efficiency, established dealer network, and growing investments in electric vehicles and autonomous driving technology through its Cruise subsidiary.
Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
Financial Metrics Comparison
Side-by-side fundamentals across 2 stocks. BestLagging
Financial Scorecard
LI leads in 2 of 6 categories (Financial Metrics, Profitability & Efficiency). GM leads in 2 (Valuation Metrics, Total Returns). 1 tied.
Financial Metrics (TTM)
GM and LI operate at a comparable scale, with $185.0B and $125.7B in trailing revenue. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 3.6% (LI) to 1.8% (GM). On growth, GM holds the edge at -5.1% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | LILi Auto Inc. | GMGeneral Motors Co… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $125.7B | $185.0B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $5.4B | $17.5B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $4.5B | $3.3B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$7.7B | $11.1B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +19.4% | +6.3% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +2.3% | +1.6% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +3.6% | +1.8% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -6.1% | +6.0% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -36.5% | -5.1% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -123.3% | -135.3% |
Valuation Metrics
At 16.0x trailing earnings, LI trades at a 34% valuation discount to GM's 24.1x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, GM's 12.1x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than LI's 20.5x.
| Metric | LILi Auto Inc. | GMGeneral Motors Co… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $35.3B | $71.2B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $28.1B | $180.5B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 16.00x | 24.07x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 3.73x | 6.40x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 20.46x | 12.12x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 1.68x | 0.38x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.80x | 1.21x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 29.53x | 6.43x |
Profitability & Efficiency
LI delivers a 6.2% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $6 in annual profit, vs $5 for GM. LI carries lower financial leverage with a 0.23x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to GM's 2.06x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), GM scores 6/9 vs LI's 5/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | LILi Auto Inc. | GMGeneral Motors Co… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +6.2% | +5.2% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +2.9% | +1.2% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +2.1% | +1.3% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +7.8% | +1.6% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 5 | 6 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.23x | 2.06x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$49.6B | $109.3B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $65.9B | $20.9B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $16.3B | $130.3B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 28.54x | 3.79x |
Total Returns (with DRIP)
A $10,000 investment in GM five years ago would be worth $15,284 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $6,802 for LI. Over the past 12 months, GM leads with a +61.4% total return vs LI's -42.8%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors GM at 27.4% vs LI's -9.3% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | LILi Auto Inc. | GMGeneral Motors Co… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +2.0% | -2.8% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -42.8% | +61.4% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -25.5% | +106.8% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -32.0% | +52.8% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +6.9% | +194.7% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -9.3% | +27.4% |
Risk & Volatility
LI is the less volatile stock with a 0.77 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than GM's 0.89 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. GM currently trades 89.8% from its 52-week high vs LI's 54.9% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | LILi Auto Inc. | GMGeneral Motors Co… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.77x | 0.89x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $32.03 | $87.62 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $15.71 | $41.60 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +54.9% | +89.8% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 49.4 | 47.7 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 3.5M | 6.8M |
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates LI as "Hold" and GM as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 22.9% upside for LI (target: $22) vs 14.3% for GM (target: $90). GM is the only dividend payer here at 0.86% yield — a key consideration for income-focused portfolios.
| Metric | LILi Auto Inc. | GMGeneral Motors Co… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $21.62 | $89.93 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 15 | 51 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | +0.9% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | — | 4 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | $0.68 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | +8.5% |
Historical Charts
Charts are rendered on first load. Hover for details.
Chart 1Total Return — 5 Years (Rebased to 100)
| Stock | Jul 20 | Feb 26 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Li Auto Inc. (LI) | 100 | 100.49 | +0.5% |
| General Motors Comp… (GM) | 100 | 328.67 | +228.7% |
General Motors Comp… (GM) returned +53% over 5 years vs Li Auto Inc. (LI)'s -32%. A $10,000 investment in GM 5 years ago would be worth $15,284 today (including dividends reinvested).
Chart 2Revenue Growth — 10 Years
| Stock | 2016 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Li Auto Inc. (LI) | $0.00 | $144.5B | — |
| General Motors Comp… (GM) | $166.4B | $185.0B | +11.2% |
General Motors Company's revenue grew from $166.4B (2016) to $185.0B (2025) — a 1.2% CAGR.
Chart 3Net Margin Trend — 10 Years
| Stock | 2016 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Li Auto Inc. (LI) | -8.6% | 5.6% | +164.8% |
| General Motors Comp… (GM) | 5.7% | 1.5% | -74.3% |
General Motors Company's net margin went from 6% (2016) to 1% (2025).
Chart 4P/E Ratio History — 8 Years
| Stock | 2018 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Motors Comp… (GM) | 6 | 24.9 | +315.0% |
General Motors Company has traded in a 5x–25x P/E range over 8 years; current trailing P/E is ~24x.
Chart 5EPS Growth — 10 Years
| Stock | 2016 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Li Auto Inc. (LI) | -2.12 | 7.54 | +455.7% |
| General Motors Comp… (GM) | 6 | 3.27 | -45.5% |
General Motors Company's EPS grew from $6.00 (2016) to $3.27 (2025) — a -7% CAGR.
Chart 6Free Cash Flow — 5 Years
Li Auto Inc. generated $8B FCF in 2024 (+68% vs 2021). General Motors Company generated $11B FCF in 2025 (+260% vs 2021).
LI vs GM: Frequently Asked Questions
9 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is LI or GM a better buy right now?
Li Auto Inc. (LI) offers the better valuation at 16.0x trailing P/E (3.7x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate General Motors Company (GM) a "Buy" — based on 51 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which has the better valuation — LI or GM?
On trailing P/E, Li Auto Inc. (LI) is the cheapest at 16.0x versus General Motors Company at 24.1x. On forward P/E, Li Auto Inc. is actually cheaper at 3.7x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — LI or GM?
Over the past 5 years, General Motors Company (GM) delivered a total return of +52.8%, compared to -32.0% for Li Auto Inc. (LI). A $10,000 investment in GM five years ago would be worth approximately $15K today (assuming dividends reinvested). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: GM returned +194.7% versus LI's +6.9%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — LI or GM?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Li Auto Inc. (LI) is the lower-risk stock at 0.77β versus General Motors Company's 0.89β — meaning GM is approximately 15% more volatile than LI relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Li Auto Inc. (LI) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 23% versus 2% for General Motors Company — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which has better profit margins — LI or GM?
Li Auto Inc. (LI) is the more profitable company, earning 5.6% net margin versus 1.5% for General Motors Company — meaning it keeps 5.6% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: LI leads at 4.4% versus 1.6% for GM. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — LI leads at 20.5%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
06Is LI or GM more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Li Auto Inc. (LI) trades at 3.7x forward P/E versus 6.4x for General Motors Company — 2.7x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for LI: 22.9% to $21.62.
07Which pays a better dividend — LI or GM?
In this comparison, GM (0.9% yield) pays a dividend. LI does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
08Is LI or GM better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, General Motors Company (GM) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.89), 0.9% yield, +194.7% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (GM: +194.7%, LI: +6.9%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
09What are the main differences between LI and GM?
Both stocks operate in the Consumer Cyclical sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both. In terms of investment character: LI is a mid-cap deep-value stock; GM is a mid-cap quality compounder stock. GM pays a dividend while LI does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
Find Stocks Like These
Explore pre-built screens for each stock's profile, or build a custom screen to find stocks that beat both.