4 Auto Stocks Likely to Outperform Q2 Earnings Estimates

Industry Overview - The Auto-Tires-Trucks sector is currently in the second-quarter earnings season, with companies like Tesla, Ford, General Motors, Aptiv, and O'Reilly Automotive reporting quarterly numbers that exceeded earnings estimates [1] - The auto sector's earnings for Q2 2025 are projected to decline by 27.7% year-over-year, with revenues expected to decrease by 6% [2] Market Performance - U.S. vehicle sales showed modest year-over-year growth in Q2, driven by strong demand for gasoline-powered and hybrid vehicles, with a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 15.3 million units in June [4] - Retail vehicle inventory reached 2.16 million units in June, marking a 22.9% increase from June 2024, while average transaction prices rose to $46,233, up $1,400 from the previous year [4] Impact of Tariffs - Higher tariffs on imports initially increased demand among price-sensitive buyers, but as prices stabilized, this momentum began to wane [5] - Elevated operating costs, particularly in R&D for advanced technologies, are likely to have negatively impacted earnings [5] Potential Winners - Companies identified as well-positioned to exceed earnings estimates include Cummins Inc. (CMI), Rivian Automotive, Inc. (RIVN), Lucid Group, Inc. (LCID), and American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. (AXL) [3] Company Highlights Cummins Inc. (CMI) - Cummins is the largest engine manufacturer globally, with a strong product lineup and a focus on electrification and clean energy technologies [8][9] - The company has an Earnings ESP of +2.79% and a Zacks Rank of 3, with Q2 earnings and revenues estimated at $4.99 per share and $8.47 billion, respectively [10][11] Rivian Automotive, Inc. (RIVN) - Rivian is targeting budget-conscious consumers with its upcoming R2 and R3 models, with the R2 expected to launch in H1 2026 at a starting price of around $45,000 [12] - The company has an Earnings ESP of +8.53% and a Zacks Rank of 3, with Q2 revenue estimated at $1.26 billion [14] Lucid Group, Inc. (LCID) - Lucid's vehicles are now compatible with Tesla's Supercharger network, enhancing convenience for owners and potentially boosting sales [15] - The company has an Earnings ESP of +3.08% and a Zacks Rank of 3, with Q2 revenue estimated at $253.4 million, reflecting year-over-year growth of 26.4% [17] American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. (AXL) - American Axle is advancing in the electric drive space and has a strong electrification portfolio, with key launches driving growth [18] - The company has an Earnings ESP of +17.59% and a Zacks Rank of 3, with Q2 earnings and revenues estimated at 13 cents and $1.51 billion, respectively [20]