Riding the trend! These fund managers predicted a boom in the robotics sector in the fourth quarter.

The A-shares market is still closed, but the humanoid robot sector has already “gone viral” ahead of schedule.

This trend was anticipated early by public fund managers. Some fund managers previously predicted that the humanoid robot sector could see more catalysts by 2026. Others explicitly stated that 2026 might become the year of mass production for humanoid robots, with potentially revolutionary robot models being released worldwide.

Even as industry enthusiasm increases, insiders emphasize that the sector may experience differentiation in the future. One fund manager pointed out that the robot sector is entering a new stage of shedding falsehoods and revealing true strengths, with capital rapidly flowing into leading companies. Notably, under this trend, some fund managers have adjusted their investment strategies in a timely manner, concentrating their holdings more on top-tier enterprises.

Fund Managers Bet on the Robot Boom, 2026 Could Be the Year of Mass Production

The Spring Festival holiday has not yet ended, and the A-shares market remains closed, but the enthusiasm for the robot sector continues to rise. Industry insiders believe that the sector’s popularity is driven not only by news and events but also by the industry’s long-term technological accumulation, which is gradually reaching a critical turning point. Regarding the potential growth in popularity and development shifts this year, multiple fund managers have already made early predictions.

Great Wall Jiuxin Flexible Allocation Hybrid Fund’s Yu Huan previously forecasted that the robot sector would see many catalysts by 2026. In the fund’s Q4 2025 report, he stated, “Looking ahead to 2026, we expect the industry to experience multiple catalysts and enter an accelerated phase of mass production.”

Yongying Advanced Manufacturing Intelligent Selection Hybrid’s Zhang Lu also projected in the Q4 2025 report that “2026 could be the year of mass production for humanoid robots, with potentially revolutionary robot models being launched globally, marking the start of mass production in the industry.”

Zhang Lu believes that as mass production approaches, the sector may become more certain, with companies possessing technological and channel advantages likely to benefit first. He also advised investors to pay attention to the progress of IPOs of key domestic robot companies, which could boost sector enthusiasm and lead to a flourishing of the domestic robot industry chain.

AVIC Trend Leading Hybrid Initiator Wang Sen also predicted that 2026 might be a critical turning point for the large-scale delivery of humanoid robots. In the same report, Wang noted that looking ahead, the humanoid robot industry is expected to usher in a deeper wave of industrialization during the “14th Five-Year Plan” period. 2026 is viewed as a key milestone for scaled delivery, with application scenarios expanding from current industrial manufacturing and specific commercial services to logistics, warehousing, high-risk special operations, and other high-value B2B scenarios.

Wang also mentioned that at the policy level, “embodied intelligence” has been incorporated into the country’s future industrial priorities, and the advancement of standardization will help regulate competition and guide healthy industry development.

It is worth noting that the forward-looking predictions of fund managers regarding the humanoid robot sector are not coincidental but are based on solid research and continuous tracking. A senior researcher from a major Beijing public fund told reporters, “From Q4 last year to the beginning of this year, some targets in the humanoid robot sector have already shown performance, and related thematic ETFs have seen some capital inflows. In the past six months, both domestic and international humanoid robot industries have achieved certain technological breakthroughs, and the sector is approaching the final transition to mass production and a surge in popularity—it’s only a matter of time. The ability of fund managers to predict this trend early is due to close industry tracking and research.”

Capital May Accelerate Flow into Leading Companies, Multiple Fund Managers Adjust Holdings

Although overall enthusiasm for the robot industry remains high, insiders expect that the sector will soon show clear differentiation, and investors should focus on leading companies with core advantages.

Caitong Asset Management’s Advanced Manufacturing Hybrid Fund’s Xu Jinzhe emphasized that after two years of value exploration, the development of the robot industry has moved out of its earliest, foggy stage. This means the market will enter a critical phase of “shedding falsehoods and revealing truths,” with capital likely to concentrate on truly competitive leading enterprises.

Xu Jinzhe has also refined his investment strategy for the robot industry: on one hand, integrating industry investment thinking more deeply to select targets aligned with industry evolution; on the other hand, focusing on technological front-runners that hold early advantages in the latest tech trends and have built solid barriers in industry positioning and customer resources, aiming to grasp certain opportunities in this new industry phase.

PuYin Ansheng High-End Equipment Hybrid Fund’s Li Haoxuan also pointed out that the competition pattern for core hardware components in the robot industry is accelerating toward concentration among top players. Manufacturing giants with industry technology accumulation, through technology transfer and capacity synergy, are building strong barriers, with significant advantages in cost control and order acquisition, making them prime beneficiaries of industry dividends.

Li Haoxuan focused on three core target categories: first, mainframe manufacturers with ecosystem barriers and mass production capabilities; second, key hardware component companies that serve top clients, possess strong technology, and excel in cost control; third, companies with key technological software algorithms.

However, as a nascent industry, humanoid robots may experience significant fluctuations in the future. Industry insiders also advise investors to exercise caution, reasonably control their investment proportions in this field within their overall portfolios.

Wang Sen reminded that the industry is still on the verge of mass production, and robot businesses have not yet significantly impacted upstream component companies’ performance. He emphasized that emerging industries tend to be volatile, and investors should be aware of the potential for increased valuation fluctuations.

Hefu Technology Momentum Fund Manager Shen Cheng also warned that since the humanoid robot industry is in its early development stage, investments should be cautious of uncertainties in technological pathways, the pace of technological innovation, and possible delays in large-scale production. Investors should approach rationally, avoid over-committing, and consider their risk tolerance when allocating investments in this field.

(Article source: Caixin)