(Yicai) Nov. 19 -- More than 100 companies listed on the Chinese mainland, with most being tech firms delving into artificial intelligence, have received surveys from foreign investors this month, showing great enthusiasm in onshore enterprises despite their valuations recently retreating from record highs.

The three most-surveyed companies were machine vision components and software supplier OPT Machine Vision Tech, three-dimensional vision sensors maker Orbbec, and electrical gear manufacturer Inovance, according to the latest data from Wind Information. OPT received surveys from more than 90 institutions, with over half being foreign capital.

Foreign investors surveying mainland-listed firms focused on the application of AI tech, product upgrades and iterations, and ties with well-known companies.

"The valuations of mainland-listed firms have pulled back from recent highs, while their earnings have remained relatively robust, supported by generally healthy third-quarter financial reports," said Li Changfeng, head of market strategy at global asset manager AllianceBernstein Holding. "This suggests that the recent market volatility may be more driven by sentiment rather than a weakening of fundamentals."

Orbbec was surveyed by 64 institutions from Nov. 12 to 14, including JPMorgan Chase and UBS, according to survey records released by the Shenzhen-based firm. The company was asked about the progress of its self-developed chips, whether its products are related to Physical AI or World Foundation Models mentioned by Nvidia's founder and Chief Executive Jensen Huang, and whether it is collaborating with the team of US Computer Scientist Fei-Fei Li.

Tech stocks remain the top choice for foreign investors, with most of the over 100 firms surveyed this month coming from the electronic equipment instruments, electronic components, and photovoltaic gear industries. Foxconn Industrial Internet, the mainland unit of Taiwan-based Apple supplier Hon Hai Precision Industry, and auto giant BYD were also surveyed.

In addition, UBS and Goldman Sachs Group expressed overall optimistic views about the Chinese market's performance next year in their recently released investment outlooks, indicating that investment opportunities lie in the "going global" and AI areas.

Editor: Martin Kadiev