is NIO on the downtrend or uptrend or shall I buy at the prevalent trading price ?

NIO is not currently on an uptrend based on the available data. Here's an analysis to support this conclusion:

1. Recent Performance: NIO's stock has experienced a decline of 23.88% in the past month. This indicates a bearish trend in the short term.
2. Market Sentiment: Despite a reported hybrid electric car development under the Firefly brand, which could potentially boost sales in foreign markets, NIO's stock did not show a significant uptick. This suggests that the market may be cautious or skeptical about the company's immediate future.

3. Analyst Ratings and Targets: The Zacks Consensus EPS for NIO is -$0.32 for the current quarter, with a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold). This suggests that analysts do not see any immediate earnings catalysts that would drive the stock price up. Additionally, the fact that the stock is not ranked higher by analysts indicates a lack of strong positive sentiment.
4. Technical Analysis: A technical analysis piece suggests that while the short-term prospects for NIO are looking brighter, the longer-term view remains uncertain. This implies that there may be some short-term gains, but it does not indicate an overall uptrend.
5. Market Conditions: The broader market conditions, including the S&P 500's gain of 0.8% and Nasdaq's jump of 1.3% on October 25, 2024, do not indicate a significant pullback or a general uptrend in stocks, which would typically be expected to lift NIO's stock price as well.

Given these points, it would be prudent to wait for more positive signals before making a buying decision. The prevailing trading price of $5.28 reflects the current market's sentiment, which does not strongly indicate an uptrend.