JOBY Saudi Arabia Bound: Is the Growth Thesis Strengthening?

Core Insights - Joby Aviation has signed a memorandum of understanding with Red Sea Global and The Helicopter Company to conduct pre-commercial evaluation flights of its electric air taxi in Saudi Arabia in the first half of 2026 [1][9] - The partnership aims to create a "sandbox" for testing air taxi operations, including charging operations and airspace integration, similar to previous demonstrations in the UAE [2][3] - Joby is expanding its presence in the Middle East, with plans for a passenger air taxi network in Ras Al Khaimah by 2027 and operations in Dubai starting in 2026 [4][9] Partnerships and Collaborations - Joby is collaborating with NVIDIA to become the exclusive aviation launch partner for the NVIDIA IGX Thor platform, which will enhance Joby's Superpilot autonomous flight technology [5] - The company is also working with the General Authority of Civil Aviation in Saudi Arabia to develop an air taxi regulatory framework based on FAA certification standards [3] Financial Performance and Valuation - Joby's shares have increased significantly over the past six months, outperforming the Zacks Transportation - Airline industry and rival Archer Aviation [6][9] - Despite the share price increase, Joby's valuation remains premium, with consensus estimates for losses in 2025-2026 widening over the past 60 days [10][11] - Joby currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), indicating a neutral outlook [13]