The cost of tariffs is weighing heavily on Ford (F). "I mean, it's frustrating 'cause we're the most American auto company, and we export the most, and yet, we have this $2 billion headwind, which prevents me from investing even more in the US," Ford CEO Jim Farley told Yahoo Finance at Ford's Pro Accelerate conference in Detroit. Farley said imported parts — such as wiring looms, fasteners, sensors, and brake components — are sourced from countries like China, Canada, Mexico, Japan, and South Korea. Tar ...

Market Overview - Major indices are mixed with the Dow flat, S&P 500 up about 0.1%, and NASDAQ also roughly flat [1][2] - The S&P 100 managed to climb into the green, up 8 points or about 0.13% [4] - The Russell 2000 is down approximately 0.67% [4] - Healthcare sector is performing well, up 2.5%, while energy is down nearly 1.5% [5][6] Government Shutdown - A government shutdown appears imminent with lawmakers showing little progress in negotiations [10][11] - Both Democratic and GOP plans to avert the shutdown are expected to fail again [11] - President Trump indicated that the shutdown could be used to implement significant cuts to programs favored by Democrats [12] - The upcoming jobs report will be delayed if the shutdown occurs [13][15] Investor Sentiment - Investors are concerned about the potential impact of the shutdown on the economy and markets [28] - The likelihood of a shutdown is estimated to be between 80-90% [15] - The integrity of employment data is a significant concern among investment professionals [17] Historical Context of Shutdowns - Historical data shows that markets tend to look past shutdown noise, with stocks often rebounding after initial drops [50][54] - Long-term yields typically drop following shutdowns, with a median drop of 19 basis points one month after [52] - Short-term rates show mixed movements but tend to skew lower after about a year [53] Pfizer Drug Pricing Agreement - Pfizer has reached an agreement with the White House to lower drug prices in exchange for avoiding tariffs for three years [37] - The deal includes significant discounts on prescription medications, with savings rates of up to 85% on select drugs [39] - A new government website, Trumprx.gov, is set to launch to help consumers find the lowest drug prices [42] Ford's Workforce Challenges - Ford's CEO highlighted a significant shortage of skilled workers in essential trades, impacting productivity and project timelines [69][70] - The company is implementing apprenticeship programs and collaborating with trade schools to address the skills gap [82] - The CEO expressed concerns about the long-term implications of the labor shortage on inflation and project costs [78][81] AI Investment Trends - AI spending is projected to exceed $420 billion this year, indicating a strong growth trajectory [93][98] - Analysts believe the current phase of AI development could last for 20 years, similar to past tech cycles [95][96] - Infrastructure investments in AI are expected to remain robust, with companies like Microsoft and Oracle being key players [106][112]

Automotive Industry Performance - Several automotive stocks are outperforming the S&P 500 in 2025, with General Motors up 14.5%, Ford up 20.45%, and Tesla up over 37% in the last three months [1][2] Consumer Behavior and Market Trends - In Q2 2025, consumers accelerated vehicle purchases due to tariff concerns on imported parts, while in Q3, electric vehicle buyers rushed to purchase before EV tax incentives ended on October 1 [2] - There are concerns that auto sales may disappoint in Q4, but the Federal Reserve's potential long-term rate-cutting cycle may lead to attractive year-end deals for consumers [2] Company Strategies - General Motors is focusing on both internal combustion engine vehicles and electric vehicles, with a 43% increase in EV sales in the last quarter, significantly outpacing the industry's 11% growth [4][5] - GM plans to reintroduce plug-in hybrid models in 2027 to capture market share in the truck and SUV categories [5] - Ford is expanding its hybrid lineup, expecting hybrid sales to surpass EV sales in the U.S. in the coming years, while still investing heavily in EV infrastructure [7][10] - Tesla remains a leader in the EV space, benefiting from vertical integration and expansion into European markets, with a focus on autonomous driving as a long-term growth driver [12][13] Stock Valuation and Analyst Insights - GM stock is trading near its 52-week high, with analysts raising price targets, including UBS increasing its target from $56 to $81 [6] - Ford's stock is supported by its made-in-the-USA footprint and strong F-Series sales, alongside a dividend yield above 4% [10] - Tesla's stock is characterized by volatility, but its long-term potential is bolstered by its software-driven revenue streams [12][13]

Ford (F) CEO Jim Farley is bullish on President Trump's drive for more US-made products. However, there might not be enough skilled workers to service the spike in demand, let alone build the new plants. "That is what is happening right now. It'll be inflation. It'll be, these projects take twice as long," Farley told me at Ford's Pro Accelerate summit in Detroit on Tuesday. The gathering included top leaders spanning the industrial economy, including Union Pacific (UNP) CEO Jim Vena and FedEx (FDX) CEO R ...

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the disparity between the U.S. and countries like China and Japan in valuing skilled labor and investing in vocational training, leading to chronic workforce shortages in the U.S. [1][2][3] Investment in Skilled Labor - Countries such as China and Japan have established robust systems that provide substantial political and financial support for skilled labor roles, making these jobs transformative and widely respected [1][2] - The U.S. has undervalued its essential workforce, resulting in a lack of investment and chronic shortages in critical sectors [1][2][3] U.S. Competitiveness - The Ford CEO expressed concerns that the U.S. is falling behind in manufacturing and critical technologies due to insufficient investments compared to competitors like China and South Korea [3] - Farley highlighted the need for American businesses and policymakers to take bold actions to restore leadership and innovation in the essential economy [3][4] Policy Implications - Farley called for increased investment in vocational training and support for small businesses, emphasizing that current policies alone will not address the skilled labor demand crisis [5][6] - He warned that tariffs and shifting regulations could worsen labor shortages unless accompanied by serious workforce development commitments [6] Local Leadership and Industry Response - Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer acknowledged the fierce competition from China and stressed the importance of continued investment in manufacturing to avoid losing good-paying jobs and intellectual leadership [7][8] - Both Farley and Whitmer noted the U.S. has suffered from underinvestment in vocational pathways, with only 0.1% of GDP dedicated to vocational training, significantly lower than other developed nations [10] Future Directions - Ford is actively measuring technician shortages globally and expanding partnerships with local trade schools and unions to recruit and train new workers [9] - There is a call for expanded career tech education, reformed apprenticeships, and deeper partnerships with community colleges to create sustainable pathways into trades [11]

Core Insights - Ford Motor Company has experienced a significant increase in trading activity, with call options volume rising by 154% above its daily average, indicating bullish sentiment among investors [1][2] - The stock price reached a new 52-week high of $12.31, reflecting a year-to-date gain of over 22%, suggesting a positive shift in market perception [2] Financial Performance - Ford's second-quarter earnings report showed record revenue of $50.2 billion, supported by strong performance in its core business segments [3] - The Ford Pro segment generated $2.3 billion in EBIT with a 12.3% margin, highlighting its role as a growth engine for the company [3] - Ford Blue, the traditional vehicle segment, continues to perform well, with hybrid sales up 23.6% year-to-date, indicating strong consumer demand [4] Shareholder Returns - The company maintains a consistent dividend yield of 4.96%, reflecting management's confidence in generating sustainable free cash flow, which was $2.8 billion in the second quarter [4] Strategic Outlook - Ford's management raised its full-year 2025 adjusted EBIT guidance to between $6.5 billion and $7.5 billion, despite facing a $2 billion net tariff headwind, indicating strong operational performance [6] - The company is pivoting towards a lower-cost universal EV platform to address profitability concerns in its Model e division, which reported a $1.3 billion EBIT loss in Q2 [7] Operational Improvements - Recent vehicle recalls are primarily software-related and can be resolved with over-the-air updates, which are significantly cheaper than physical repairs [8] - Initial quality metrics for new models are the best in over a decade, suggesting a potential decrease in future warranty costs [8] Market Sentiment - The options market reflects a bullish sentiment, contrasting with the broader analyst community's cautious "Reduce" consensus, indicating differing views on Ford's future performance [10][11]

Ford CEO Jim Farley delivered an urgent message at the company’s Ford Pro Accelerate event on Tuesday, revealing a personal “epiphany” about the crisis facing Gen Z and the wider blue-collar workforce that led to his current push to emphasize the problems with what he calls the “essential economy.” Speaking with Bloomberg’s David Westin at Michigan Central Station, Farley said he came to this realization during the United Auto Workers strike of 2023, when he was especially struck by stories from young fac ...

The new Ford Bronco had its skeptics upon its 2021 relaunch, but the sales don’t lie - In Q2 2025, Bronco saw one of its best quarters since the debut. Clearly, customers like what they’re driving.2025 Bronco Stroppe Ford Motor CompanyAs such, Ford offers a variety of packages suited to customer wants and engineer’s whims. In the case of the all-new Stroppe, they’ve produced a fun, unique trim with a not-so-fun price of $75,635. Is it worth it? Read on.What’s the Stroppe?The “Stroppe” is an homage to the Ba ...

DETROIT – Ford Motor CEO Jim Farley said he expects demand for all-electric vehicles to be slashed in half next month following the end of federal tax incentives on Wednesday.Farley on Tuesday said he "wouldn't be surprised" if sales of EVs fell from a market share of around 10% to 12% this month — which is expected to be a record — to 5% after the incentive program ends."I think it's going to be a vibrant industry, but it's going to be smaller, way smaller than we thought, especially with the policy change ...

Buyers in the US looking to take advantage of the federal electric vehicle tax credit have one last day to hunt for a good deal. Wording in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that killed the $7,500 federal EV tax credit set a hard Sept. 30 deadline for claiming the tax credit, but the IRS is giving buyers and automakers a break by allowing a “written binding contract” for the purchase of the vehicle to qualify for the credit in lieu of delivery of that vehicle by Sept. 30. Over the weekend, automakers like G ...