Market Performance - US stocks mostly edged higher on the first trading day of 2026, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average gaining about 0.6% and the S&P 500 increasing by 0.2% [1] - The Nasdaq Composite fell below the flat line despite gains in semiconductor companies like Nvidia, AMD, and Micron [1] - The S&P 500 rose over 16% in 2025, while the Nasdaq Composite led with a more than 20% increase [2] Economic Outlook - The outlook for 2026 is optimistic, with Wall Street forecasters predicting a fourth consecutive year of stock market rallies [3] - However, risks remain, including potential faltering of the AI boom, surprises in the US economy, and uncertainties surrounding President Trump's tariffs [3] Commodity Performance - Gold and silver advanced at the start of 2026, building on their best annual performances since 1979, while aluminum crossed $3,000 per ton for the first time since 2022 [4] - The S&P 500 is down nearly 1% during the "Santa Claus rally" period, indicating a potential third consecutive down period for this seasonal trend [4] Federal Reserve Focus - The Federal Reserve remains a key focus for Wall Street in 2026, with ongoing divisions expected to continue from 2025 [5] - President Trump is expected to appoint a new chair to replace Jerome Powell, while traders anticipate the central bank will hold steady on interest rates later this month [5]

Core Insights - VinFast Auto Ltd. (NASDAQ:VFS) is recognized as one of the best auto stocks to buy currently [1] - The company achieved its highest monthly sales volume in November 2025, delivering 23,186 electric vehicles in Vietnam, contributing to a total of 147,450 units delivered this year [2] - The Limo Green model was the top performer, with 9,642 units sold in November and a total of 16,146 units since its launch [2] - The VF 3 is the best-selling car in Vietnam with 40,660 units sold this year, followed by the VF 5 with 38,478 units [3] - Despite strong sales, the stock is down 19.29% year-to-date as of December 26, 2025 [4] Sales Performance - In November 2025, VinFast delivered 23,186 electric vehicles, marking the highest monthly sales for the company [2] - Total deliveries for the year reached 147,450 units, with significant contributions from the Green lineup [2] - Breakdown of November deliveries includes 4,655 VF 3 units, 3,072 VF 5 units, 2,801 VF 6 units, and 1,225 VF 7 units [2] Market Position - The VF 3 leads the market as Vietnam's best-selling car, while the VF 6 tops the B-SUV segment with 19,750 deliveries [3] - The company aims to double its worldwide sales by 2024, leveraging its strong domestic performance [3] Stock Performance - As of December 26, 2025, VinFast's stock has decreased by 19.29% year-to-date, indicating potential market challenges despite strong sales figures [4]

Lucid Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:LCID) is among the 9 Best Auto Stocks to Buy Now. Lucid Group, Inc. (LCID)'s SUV Arrives With High Hopes And Significant Risks CNBC reported on December 20, 2025, that Lucid Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:LCID) is expanding the manufacturing of its Gravity three-row SUV. It is marking its first entry into the SUV market, which is expected to retail for approximately $79,900. So far, the business has sold just a few hundred Gravity products in 2025, with manufacturing limited due to magnet, ...

XPeng Inc. (NYSE:XPEV) is among the 9 Best Auto Stocks to Buy Now. XPeng Inc. (XPEV) Signs A Distributor For Mauritius And Declares Its Formal Entry In Qatar According to CnEVPost, on December 26, 2025, Xpeng announced its official debut in Qatar during a brand launch event in Doha, marking a new stage in its Middle East and Africa expansion. The business announced the impending local introduction of the P7+ sedan and unveiled its G9 and G6 SUVs during the event. Furthermore, the firm displayed products ...

Stellantis N.V. (NYSE:STLA) is among the 9 Best Auto Stocks to Buy Now. Stellantis N.V. (STLA) Reaches 1,000 Hires For Windsor, Ontario Plant Stellantis N.V. (NYSE:STLA) disclosed on December 15, 2025, that it has hired more than 1,000 workers for its Windsor Assembly Plant in Ontario in less than two months, as part of a goal to create 1,500 new jobs, as reported by WSJ. The hiring supports plans to add a third shift to the facility early next year to fulfill expected demand for Dodge Chargers and Chrys ...

NIO Inc. (NYSE:NIO) is among the 9 Best Auto Stocks to Buy Now. NIO Inc. (NIO) Announces The Outcomes Of Its November Deliveries NIO Inc. (NYSE:NIO) announced the outcomes of its November deliveries on December 1. The company shipped 36,275 vehicles in November, jumping 76.3% over the same month last year. Firefly delivered 6,088 cars, Onvo delivered 11,794 cars, and Nio, the company’s smart electric vehicle brand, delivered 18,393 cars. There have been 949,457 deliveries as of November 30. According t ...

Core Insights - BorgWarner Inc. is recognized as one of the best auto stocks to buy currently [1] - Morgan Stanley has adjusted its rating on BorgWarner from Overweight to Equal Weight, raising the price target from $42 to $49, reflecting a cautious outlook for the electric vehicle market until 2026 [2] - BorgWarner has revised its financial performance estimates for 2025, projecting net sales between $14.1 billion and $14.3 billion, slightly below the consensus forecast of $14.31 billion [3] Financial Performance - The company anticipates net sales for 2025 to be between $14.1 billion and $14.3 billion, compared to a previous estimate of $14.0 billion which has been revised to $14.4 billion [3] - The adjustments in sales projections are attributed to higher industrial production forecasts and favorable foreign exchange movements, although these may be offset by production delays in North America and Europe [3] Business Overview - BorgWarner primarily supplies drivetrain systems, powerdrive systems, battery and charging systems, and turbo and thermal management technology to automobile original equipment manufacturers [4]

Ferrari N.V. (NYSE:RACE) is among the 9 Best Auto Stocks to Buy Now. Berenberg Maintains A Buy Rating On Ferrari N.V. (RACE) Berenberg reduced its price objective for Ferrari N.V. (NYSE:RACE) from EUR 399 to EUR 381 while keeping a Buy rating, according to a December 16, 2025, theFly report. Before this, on December 11, 2025, BNPP upgraded Ferrari N.V. (NYSE:RACE) from Neutral to Outperform and set a price objective of $463, noting projections for 2026 earnings growth. The business also increased its ...

Core Insights - Tesla Inc has experienced its second consecutive year of declining vehicle deliveries, raising concerns about its position in the electric vehicle (EV) ETF market [1] - Despite Tesla's stock decline, several EV-focused ETFs have gained value, indicating a shift in the performance dynamics of these funds [2][7] Delivery Performance - In 2025, Tesla delivered approximately 1.63 million vehicles, representing a 9% decrease year-over-year, with fourth-quarter deliveries falling significantly below analyst expectations [2] - Following the New Year holiday, Tesla's stock dropped over 2%, contrasting with gains in various EV ETFs [2] ETF Dynamics - EV ETFs are increasingly capturing a broader range of global EV factors, moving beyond being mere proxies for Tesla [3] - The leadership in the electric vehicle market is diversifying, with companies like BYD surpassing Tesla as the largest EV seller globally in 2025 [4] Competitive Landscape - Competition from Chinese manufacturers, particularly BYD, has become a significant factor, aided by their size, pricing flexibility, and strong domestic demand [4] - ETFs with global exposure, such as KARS, include investments in Chinese EV makers, which can mitigate weaknesses in U.S.-focused companies like Tesla [4] Policy Influence - U.S.-listed EV ETFs are increasingly influenced by policy changes, such as the end of the federal EV tax credit, which led to demand surges and subsequent slowdowns [5] - This volatility indicates that EV ETFs are now responsive to incentive cycles and regional policy changes rather than solely to technology adoption [5] Tesla's Strategic Shift - Tesla's efforts to redefine itself as an AI and robotics firm add complexity to its narrative, but most EV ETFs focus on revenue from vehicle production and battery manufacturing [6] - Tesla's AI ambitions do not significantly shield EV-themed funds from fluctuations in auto sales and pricing pressures [6] Evolving Investment Landscape - The rise of EV ETFs, despite Tesla's stock decline, suggests a diversification in the EV theme regarding geography, business models, and revenue sources [7] - This evolution may be viewed positively by investors, indicating a broader narrative for EV ETFs even as Tesla faces ongoing challenges [7]

Palantir is off to a slow start in 2026, after appreciating by 138% in 2025.Shares of AI software giant Palantir (PLTR 5.08%) plunged on Friday, falling 5.9% as of 1:41 PM EDT.There wasn't any company-specific news for Palantir today, but a combination of related factors led to the stock's big slump to start the new year.NASDAQ : PLTRPalantir TechnologiesToday's Change( -5.08 %) $ -9.03Current Price$ 168.72Key Data PointsMarket Cap$424BDay's Range$ 166.35 - $ 181.3552wk Range$ 63.40 - $ 207.52Volume46MAvg V ...