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]

Rivian Automotive (NASDAQ:RIVN), electric truck and SUV maker, closed Thursday’s session at $20.28, up 15.03%. Rivian Automotive IPO'd in 2021 and has fallen about 75% since going public. Trading volume reached 66.4 million shares, about 36% above its three-month average of 49 million shares.Thursday’s move followed a Robert W. Baird upgrade and new price target, while investors are watching how Rivian executes its autonomy roadmap and 2026 R2 launch. How the markets moved today The S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^G ...

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]

Last year, Tesla finally admitted that Full Self-Driving was not the Level 4 autonomous driving experience, as had been previously claimed when it added "Supervised" to the official FSD moniker, Benzinga reported. SAE International (formerly the Society of Automotive Engineers) considers advanced driver assistance systems, such as GM Super Cruise and Tesla Full Self-Driving, to be Level 2 automation, which requires the driver to remain engaged. Tesla global deliveries by year 2024: 1.79 million 2023: 1 ...

Tesla (TSLA) is currently trading like a futuristic AI powerhouse, thanks to a recent robotaxi win. But a closer look suggests its core business of building and selling EVs is only worth a fraction of its market cap. "Tesla is being viewed more and more on autonomy and energy," Jed Dorsheimer, group head of energy research at William Blair, told Yahoo Finance's Opening Bid. Dorsheimer, who evaluates Tesla through the lens of energy and infrastructure, pointed to a startling disconnect in the company's v ...

Ross Gerber seems to always speak his mind when it comes to Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) CEO Elon Musk. “I’m not a fan of Elon,” Gerber said during a recent episode of the “Chasing Finance” podcast. “But I’m not going to deny the fact he builds great products.” ‘He’s built some big companies and he’s succeeded,” Gerber added. “People are willing to pay a premium for this guy who works 24/7, who, you know, has built some great products.” Gerber Still Believes in Tesla’s Potential, But Not Blindly While the promin ...

Core Points - An administrative law judge ruled that Tesla engaged in deceptive marketing regarding its Autopilot and Full Self-Driving software, misleading customers about the capabilities of these systems [1][4] - The California DMV requested a 30-day suspension of Tesla's sales as a penalty, which has been stayed for 90 days to allow Tesla to modify or remove deceptive language [2][3] - Tesla's marketing practices have been under scrutiny from multiple state and federal agencies, leading to investigations and civil lawsuits related to crashes involving its Autopilot technology [3][4] Group 1 - The judge's ruling is a significant development in a long-standing case initiated by California's DMV, which accused Tesla of creating a false impression of its advanced driver assistance systems [1][4] - The DMV's request for a sales suspension could severely impact Tesla's business, particularly as California is its largest market in the U.S. [5] - Tesla's manufacturing operations could also be affected, as the company relies on its Fremont factory for a substantial portion of its vehicle production [5] Group 2 - The judge recommended a 30-day suspension of Tesla's manufacturing license, which has also been stayed by the DMV [2] - Tesla is currently testing its Robotaxi service in Austin, having removed safety monitors from its fleet, which runs a different version of its driving software [6] - The ongoing legal challenges and investigations could pose long-term risks to Tesla's reputation and operational capabilities [3][4]