ACHR Outperforms Industry Over the Past Year: Should You Buy?

Core Insights - Archer Aviation Inc. (ACHR) has seen a share price increase of 44.7% over the past year, outperforming the Zacks Aerospace-Defense industry's growth of 22.9% and the broader Zacks Aerospace sector's gain of 20.6% [1] - Other industry players like RTX Corporation and Huntington Ingalls have also performed well, with share price increases of 47.6% and 61.8%, respectively [2] Group 1: Company Performance - ACHR's strong performance may attract investors, but it is essential to evaluate whether the company's fundamentals can sustain long-term growth or if the recent surge is temporary [3] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate indicates a year-over-year improvement in ACHR's losses for 2025 and 2026 [11] - ACHR's stock is currently trading at a discount, with a trailing 12-month Price/Book (P/B TTM) ratio of 2.92X compared to the industry average of 6.29X [13] Group 2: Strategic Developments - In November 2025, Archer Aviation signed an agreement to supply Anduril Industries and EDGE Group with its electric powertrain technology to support the development of Anduril's Omen Autonomous Air Vehicle system [4] - The company has acquired Hawthorne Airport in Los Angeles for $126 million, which will support its planned LA air taxi network and serve as a testbed for AI-powered technologies [5] - Archer Aviation has entered into an agreement with Korean Air to launch its Midnight eVTOL aircraft in Korea, with plans for Korean Air to purchase up to 100 aircraft [6] Group 3: Market Trends and Challenges - The global eVTOL market is expected to grow steadily due to rising demand for urban air mobility and advancements in sustainable transportation [7] - Despite short-term prospects, ACHR faces long-term uncertainties, including certification hurdles, supply-chain issues, and fluctuating demand for eVTOL travel [9][15] - The company's future growth will depend on its ability to design, build, and certify its aircraft, as well as public perception regarding safety, noise, and cost [16]