Why Rivian Stock Sank This Week

Core Viewpoint - Rivian Automotive's stock experienced significant volatility following its fourth-quarter earnings report, initially rising but then dropping approximately 14% within a week, indicating investor skepticism about the company's ability to execute its growth plans [1]. Group 1: Financial Performance and Projections - Rivian projects sales to increase by nearly 60% above 2025 levels at the high end of its guidance range, driven by anticipated consumer interest in its new R2 model, which is expected to start at around $45,000 [3]. - The company is not solely relying on R2 sales; it plans to showcase its third-generation autonomy platform with the new model, which is expected to feature advanced sensor and computing technology [4]. Group 2: Market Sentiment and Investor Attitude - Investor sentiment towards Rivian appears cautious, with a prevailing attitude of "R2 or bust," reflecting the importance of the new model's success for the company's future [2]. - Despite initial excitement following the earnings release, investors are now waiting to see if Rivian can effectively execute its growth strategies [4].