Key Takeaways Ford targets an 8% adjusted EBIT margin by 2029 after posting 3.6% in 2025.F expects flat Q1 2026 EBIT, with H1 pressured by aluminum and commodity costs.Ford plans stronger H2 2026 as volumes stabilize and Ford Blue investments rise.Ford Motor Company (F) exited last year as a structurally stronger company, establishing a solid foundation to achieve its long-term target of an 8% adjusted EBIT margin by 2029, per the company’s fourth-quarter 2025 earnings transcript. In 2025, the company repor ...

Core Viewpoint - General Motors is preparing to report its fourth-quarter financial results, which will provide insights into the company's strategy of balancing electric vehicle (EV) growth with a reduction in EV efforts [1] Group 1: Earnings Estimates - Analysts expect GM to report fourth-quarter revenue of $45.79 billion, a decrease from $47.70 billion in the same quarter last year [2] - The anticipated earnings per share (EPS) for the fourth quarter is $2.24, an increase from $1.92 in the previous year [2] - GM has consistently beaten analyst revenue estimates for 14 consecutive quarters and EPS estimates for 13 consecutive quarters [2] Group 2: Analyst Ratings and Price Targets - Several analysts have raised their price targets for GM stock ahead of the earnings report, with Barclays and JPMorgan both increasing their targets from $85 to $100 [3][7] - HSBC raised its price target from $48 to $75 while Citigroup increased its target from $86 to $98 [7] Group 3: Electric Vehicle Strategy - GM has experienced significant growth in electric vehicle sales, with the Chevrolet Equinox and Chevrolet Blazer ranking among the top 10 selling EVs in the U.S. for 2025 [4] - The Equinox saw deliveries increase by over 100% year-over-year, contributing to GM's 13% market share in the U.S. EV market, with unit deliveries up 20% year-over-year [4] - Despite strong EV growth, GM is scaling back its EV efforts due to the ending of the Federal EV tax credit, focusing more on traditional automobiles [4][5] Group 4: Production and Market Strategy - GM is ceasing production of the Chevrolet Bolt, its most affordable EV, to shift production of other vehicles from overseas to the U.S. [5] - CEO Mary Barra has reaffirmed the company's long-term commitment to EV growth, even as global EV deliveries rise by 20% year-over-year [5] - Analysts will be looking for insights on tariffs, profitability, and how the shift in production strategy may help GM navigate tariffs and enhance profitability [6] Group 5: Stock Performance - GM's stock was down 0.3% to $79.43, with a 52-week trading range of $41.60 to $85.18, and has increased by 45.7% over the last year [9]

Core Insights - The performance of legacy auto companies, particularly General Motors (GM), in Q3 2025 has exceeded investor expectations, with GM's stock rising 44% after beating earnings estimates and raising guidance for the full year [3][4][8] - Despite a significant decline in electric vehicle (EV) adoption, GM continues to grow its market share in internal combustion engine (ICE) and hybrid vehicles, demonstrating resilience in a challenging market [5][12] Company Performance - GM's stock remains undervalued with strong upside potential, driven by its ability to generate profits across different market conditions [4][10] - In Q3 2025, GM achieved a 41% market share in full-size pickups and 60% in full-size SUVs, contributing to a total U.S. market share increase from 14.4% in 2021 to 17.2% in the TTM ended Q3 2025 [7][8] - GM's total U.S. vehicle deliveries reached 710,000 in Q3 2025, marking an 8% year-over-year increase [8] EV Market Dynamics - The EV market has seen a slowdown, with GM managing to grow its EV market share despite scaling back production; GM holds the 2 position in the U.S. EV market [12][13] - Year-to-date EV unit sales for GM's brands (Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac) grew significantly, with Chevrolet being the 2 U.S. EV brand [14][15] Financial Health - GM has generated $45 billion in free cash flow from 2014 through Q3 2025, with $7.9 billion in free cash flow over the TTM [22][26] - The company has reinstated and increased its dividend, currently providing a yield of 0.9%, and has repurchased $24.2 billion in shares since 2022 [24][25] Challenges and Outlook - GM recorded a $1.6 billion charge related to EV operations in Q3 2025, but management expects to reduce these losses in 2026 and beyond [29] - Tariffs continue to impact profitability, although GM is taking steps to mitigate these effects by expanding U.S. production [30][31] Valuation Perspective - GM's current stock price implies a pessimistic outlook, expecting a 40% decline in NOPAT, which contrasts with the company's historical growth rates [33][34] - Scenarios suggest that GM's stock could rise over 40% even with a decline in profits, indicating potential for significant upside if the company performs in line with historical trends [36][38]

Core Insights - General Motors Company (GM) plans to invest approximately $4 billion across three U.S. assembly plants, shifting or expanding production of two vehicles currently made in Mexico amid ongoing trade negotiations and tariffs imposed by the Trump administration [1][3][10] Investment Plans - GM will begin producing gas-powered Chevrolet Blazer and Equinox at two U.S. plants, repurposing an idled Michigan plant for gas-powered SUVs and trucks starting in 2027 [2][5] - The investment will expand GM's U.S. production capacity to over two million vehicles annually by 2027, with specific plants focusing on both gas-powered and electric vehicles [4][10] Production Strategy - The production of the Blazer will fully relocate to the U.S., while Equinox output will supplement existing production in Mexico, which will continue to serve other markets [2][10] - GM's Factory ZERO in Detroit will focus exclusively on electric vehicles, while the Fairfax Assembly in Kansas will begin building the gas-powered Equinox by mid-2027 [4][5] Financial Outlook - GM maintains a capital spending forecast of $10–$11 billion for 2025 and anticipates annual spending of $10–$12 billion through 2027, reflecting a cautious approach to production plans in light of tariffs [6][10] - The company is taking a wait-and-see approach regarding regulatory clarity, with potential international trade agreements providing some reassurance [6] Market Position - GM currently holds a Zacks Rank of 5 (Strong Sell), while other auto stocks like CarGurus, Strattec Security Corporation, and Michelin have better rankings [7]

Investment Overview - General Motors is investing $4 billion in U.S. plants over the next two years to enhance the manufacturing of gas and electric vehicles [1] - This investment will enable the company to assemble more than 2 million vehicles annually in the U.S., an increase from the previous production of approximately 1.7 million vehicles [2][4] Strategic Initiatives - The investment follows a recent allocation of $888 million for the Tonawanda Propulsion plant to support the production of the next-generation V-8 engine [1] - GM plans to expand production at various plants, including the Orion Assembly plant for gas-powered SUVs and light-duty trucks starting in early 2027 [7] - The Fairfax Assembly plant will begin producing the gas-powered Chevrolet Equinox in mid-2027, with significant demand noted as sales rose over 30% year over year in Q1 2025 [8] Market Context - The investments align with broader industry commitments to bolster U.S. manufacturing and support American jobs amid tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on imported vehicles and auto parts [3][6] - GM's CEO, Mary Barra, emphasized the belief that the future of transportation will be driven by American innovation and manufacturing expertise [2] Future Projections - GM's annual capital spending is projected to be between $10 billion and $12 billion through 2027, reflecting increased investment in the U.S. and prioritization of key programs [9]