BofA Resumes Coverage on Ford (F), Sets $17 Target on Regulatory Tailwinds

Core Viewpoint - Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) is recognized as one of the 15 Best Stocks to Buy Now for Passive Income, indicating strong potential for generating consistent returns for investors [1]. Group 1: Analyst Coverage and Ratings - BofA reinstated coverage of Ford with a Buy rating and set a price target of $17, highlighting the company's favorable position to benefit from regulatory changes under the current administration [2]. - The analyst noted that losses from the Model e segment are expected to decrease over time, while Ford's high-margin commercial business is stabilizing, suggesting a path toward achieving a long-term EBIT margin target of 8% [3]. Group 2: Sales Performance - In February, Ford sold 149,962 vehicles, a decrease of 5.5% compared to the same month last year, primarily due to a significant drop in electric vehicle sales, which fell 71% to 2,122 vehicles [4]. - Hybrid vehicle sales also saw a decline of 21.8% to 12,010 vehicles, while gas-powered vehicle sales slightly decreased by 0.1% [4]. - Among vehicle types, cars experienced the strongest performance with a sales increase of 54.5% in February, while truck sales decreased by 9.4% and SUV sales declined by 2.4% [5]. - Notably, the F-Series saw a 16.2% decline in sales, largely attributed to a 76.3% drop in F-150 Lightning sales [5]. Group 3: Company Overview - Ford Motor Company is an automobile manufacturer that develops and sells a range of vehicles, including trucks, SUVs, commercial vans, cars, and Lincoln luxury vehicles, with operating segments that include Ford Blue, Ford Model e, Ford Pro, and Ford Credit [6].