Rivian Automotive, Inc. (NASDAQ:RIVN) is one of the Buzzing AI Stocks on Wall Street. On December 15, Canaccord Genuity maintained its “Buy” rating on the stock with a $21.00 price target. The rating affirmation follows RIVN’s first Autonomy & AI Day, with analysts sharing upbeat takeaways driven by the company’s tech culture and long-term vision. Canaccord Genuity attended the event at Rivian’s Palo Alto, California facility, which serves as the home for the company’s autonomy and technology teams. Than ...

Market Overview - U.S. markets experienced gains, with the Nasdaq rising nearly 1.4% to 23,006.36, the S&P 500 increasing by almost 0.8% to 6,774.76, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average edging up 0.1% to 47,951.85 [1] Rivian - Rivian's stock surged by 15.03%, closing at $20.28, with an intraday high of $20.33 and a low of $18.26, and a 52-week range between $20.33 and $10.36 [1] - The company expanded its hands-free assisted driving capabilities with software update 2025.46, increasing coverage to over 3.5 million miles of roads in the U.S. and Canada from about 135,000 miles previously [2] - Analysts view Rivian's advancements in autonomy and the upcoming R2 platform as positive indicators for the company's long-term outlook [2] Nike - Nike's stock dipped by 0.091%, closing at $65.63, with an intraday high of $67 and a low of $65.40, and a 52-week range between $82.44 and $52.28 [3] - Despite reporting better-than-expected second-quarter earnings with revenue of $12.43 billion and earnings of 53 cents per share, the stock fell, with revenue up 1% year-over-year and Nike Brand revenues totaling $12.1 billion [3] Trump Media & Technology Group - Trump Media's stock skyrocketed by 41.93%, closing at $14.86, with an intraday high of $15.20 and a low of $12.71, and a 52-week range between $43.45 and $10.18 [4] - The company announced plans to merge with TAE Technologies in an all-stock deal valued at over $6 billion, targeting a mid-2026 close and planning to begin construction of a utility-scale fusion power plant next year [5] FedEx - FedEx shares rose by 1.74%, closing at $287.12, with an intraday high of $288.05 and a low of $281.60, and a 52-week range between $295.24 and $194.30 [6] - The company reported second-quarter revenue of $23.5 billion and adjusted earnings of $4.82 per share, exceeding estimates, driven by stronger package yields and higher U.S. volume [7] - FedEx raised its fiscal 2026 revenue growth outlook to 5%–6% and lifted the low end of its adjusted EPS guidance to $17.80, while reiterating plans for $1 billion in permanent structural cost reductions [7] BlackBerry - BlackBerry's stock increased by 1.64%, closing at $4.33, with an intraday high of $4.43 and a low of $4.28, and a 52-week range between $6.24 and $2.80 [8] - The company reported third-quarter fiscal 2026 revenue of $141.8 million and adjusted earnings of 5 cents per share, both exceeding expectations, although revenue slipped about 1% year-over-year [9] - BlackBerry raised its full-year fiscal 2026 revenue outlook to $531–$541 million and adjusted EPS guidance to 14–16 cents [9]

Core Insights - Rivian Automotive's stock closed at $20.28, reflecting a 15.03% increase, despite a 75% decline since its IPO in 2021 [1] - The trading volume reached 66.4 million shares, which is 36% higher than the three-month average of 49 million shares [1] - The stock surge followed an upgrade from Robert W. Baird, which set a new price target that suggests a 25% upside from the current closing price [3] Company Developments - Rivian is preparing to launch its R2 SUV, which is expected to enhance sales and brand recognition [3] - The company presented a roadmap for producing a fully autonomous vehicle, showcasing an in-house AI chip that could drive demand and create a new revenue stream [4] Market Context - The S&P 500 increased by 0.79% and the Nasdaq Composite rose by 1.38%, with Tesla and Ford also experiencing stock price increases [2]

Core Viewpoint - Rivian Automotive, Inc. is gaining attention from analysts, with Goldman Sachs and Needham both raising their price targets following the company's Autonomy & AI Day, indicating a positive outlook on its growth potential in the electric vehicle (EV) market [2][4]. Group 1: Analyst Ratings and Price Targets - Goldman Sachs increased its price target for Rivian from $13 to $16 while maintaining a Neutral rating, citing insights from the company's Autonomy & AI Day [2]. - Needham upgraded its price objective for Rivian from $14 to $23 and reaffirmed its Buy rating, highlighting the event's impact on confidence in Rivian's positioning in the software-defined vehicle market [4][5]. Group 2: Strategic Developments - Rivian launched a paid Autonomy+ service model and outlined a scaled autonomy plan set to begin in 2026, along with a new internal compute platform [3]. - The company is focusing on defining its vehicles as platforms for high-profit software, which includes potential for greater autonomy, third-party integrations, and licensing opportunities in the future [3]. Group 3: Competitive Advantage - Needham emphasized Rivian's vertical integration strategy, which allows for more control over development and faster learning processes, contributing to its long-term competitive edge in the industry [5]. - Rivian's approach includes iteration in autonomous and driver interface technologies, positioning the company favorably as the demand for software-defined vehicles grows [5]. Group 4: Company Overview - Rivian Automotive, Inc. manufactures battery-electric vehicles in the U.S. and Canada and develops software for autonomous driving, alongside producing electronic control units in partnership with Volkswagen [6].

Core Insights - Uber Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:UBER) is recognized as an undervalued stock with significant upside potential, particularly due to its expansion in the autonomous vehicle sector and strategic partnerships [1] Analyst Ratings - Brad Erickson from RBC Capital reiterated a Buy rating with a price target of $110 on December 12 [2] - Lloyd Walmsley from Mizuho Securities also maintained a Buy rating with a price target of $130 on December 10 [2] Autonomous Vehicle Strategy - Analyst Erickson highlighted Uber's commitment to its autonomous vehicle strategy, emphasizing its competitive edge through partnerships and financing [3] - Walmsley noted that Uber's autonomous driving strategy is expected to provide a safer and more cost-effective transportation mode, especially in labor-intensive markets like the U.S. and U.K. [4] - Both analysts pointed out the importance of Uber's partnerships with key players such as Waymo, WeRide, and PonyAI in positioning the company within an emerging market [4] Recent Developments - On December 12, Uber launched autonomous robotaxi rides in Dubai in collaboration with WeRide, aligning with Dubai's goal of achieving 25% autonomous journeys by 2030 [5] Company Overview - Uber Technologies Inc. operates as a global technology platform connecting consumers with transportation, delivery, and logistics services through its Mobility, Delivery, and Freight segments [6]

Chinese electric vehicle (EV) leader BYD has reinforced its push to build and sell more cars fitted with level 3 (L3) autonomous driving systems after Beijing took its first step towards deregulating the technology. The company collaborated with authorities in Shenzhen, where it was based, to test some of its cars ahead of mass production, according to China Business News. BYD confirmed the report, adding that it had completed more than 150,000 kilometres of real-world L3 testing. The company did not ela ...

Autonomous Driving Technology - Rivian will introduce hardware and software upgrades for autonomous driving in its midsize model starting in late 2026 [1] - The enhancements suggest potential future development of robotaxi services by Rivian [1]

Core Viewpoint - Tesla has been ruled deceptive in its marketing of Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology, which has been classified as Level 2 automation rather than the previously claimed Level 4, leading to legal repercussions from the California Department of Motor Vehicles [1][6][9]. Group 1: Legal and Regulatory Developments - The California Department of Motor Vehicles filed a complaint against Tesla in July 2022 for misleading statements regarding FSD and Autopilot, threatening to revoke Tesla's vehicle dealer and manufacturing licenses [5]. - A California judge ruled against Tesla, stating that the company misled customers about the capabilities of its FSD technology, siding with the California DMV [6]. - The judge proposed a 30-day suspension of Tesla's selling and manufacturing licenses in California, although the DMV later modified this penalty [8]. Group 2: Technology Classification - SAE International classifies advanced driver assistance systems like Tesla's FSD as Level 2 automation, which necessitates driver engagement [1][3]. - True autonomy is classified as Level 3 and above, where no human intervention is required, but a present driver must be ready to take control when prompted [3]. - Robotaxi services, including those from Tesla, are considered Level 4, as they can navigate without driver input but still have traditional controls [4]. Group 3: Consumer Perception - The judge noted that a reasonable consumer might mistakenly believe that a vehicle with Full Self-Driving Capability can operate safely without constant driver attention, which is misleading both technologically and legally [9].

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