New York, February 15, 2026, 12:40 EST — Trading has wrapped up for the day.
- Rivian surged 26.6% by the close on Friday, handily beating out the smaller moves logged by Tesla and Lucid.
- Rivian shares climbed after the company outlined its 2026 delivery plans, which hinge on the rollout of its more affordable R2 SUV.
- U.S. markets are closed Monday for Presidents Day. Trading picks up again on Tuesday.
Rivian Automotive surged 26.6% to close at $17.73 on Friday, far outpacing the rest of the U.S.-traded EV pack. Shares of Tesla barely budged, while Lucid tacked on roughly 4%. Heading into the holiday break—markets shut Monday, trading resumes Tuesday—Rivian stood alone. (Nasdaq)
This is a big deal for EV makers at the moment: they’re pushing for growth despite lacking sweeping U.S. incentives, and customers are laser-focused on what they pay. When demand wobbles, investors don’t hesitate to hit cash-hungry EV stocks hard. But show them a believable way to ramp up volume, and shares can jump—even if actual profits aren’t close yet.
Rivian shares caught a lift after the company reassured investors its lower-priced R2 remains on track. It put out a target: 62,000 to 67,000 vehicles delivered in 2026—a big jump, about 53% higher. The R2, expected to roll out in the second quarter at roughly $45,000, will go head-to-head with Tesla’s Model Y on price. Piper Sandler analysts didn’t mince words: “For the stock itself, nothing matters more than a timely launch for the R2 SUV,” adding that Rivian “remains essentially on track.” If Friday’s rally sticks, Rivian’s market cap could tack on $4 billion, according to the report. (Reuters)
Fourth-quarter results gave Rivian a lift, despite the company still posting losses. Revenue landed at $1.29 billion, and the adjusted loss came in narrower than analysts had forecast. Management stuck to its timeline for the R2 launch in the second quarter, promising more specifics at a March 12 event. For 2026, Rivian set its delivery target far above the 42,247 vehicles it shipped in 2025—a level investors have long wanted to see, given the automaker’s lingering low-volume status. (Investopedia)
Analysts saw the guidance as more of a wager on Rivian’s ability to deliver than a signal of a fundamental rebound. Wedbush described Rivian as undergoing a “massive transformation,” sticking with its outperform rating and $25 price target, Investopedia reported. (Investopedia)
For EV traders, it’s also a play on read-through. Rivian’s shift banked on the notion that affordable models will still attract demand. The industry’s trimming back on premium offerings, aiming to protect margins by paring down vehicles and trim choices.
The risk is plain enough. Should Rivian miss its R2 schedule, or if buyers balk at the price when orders open, Friday’s surge could evaporate fast. Cost discipline remains crucial, and investors haven’t tolerated setbacks.
U.S. markets take a break Monday, but Tuesday brings the real test: Can Rivian hang on to its post-guidance surge? Traders will be watching to see if that lift bleeds into other EV stocks, many of which have been rallying on much less substantial headlines.
March 12 is the next date to watch. That’s when Rivian plans to reveal more about the R2, along with updates on its wider lineup—a move that could shift expectations sharply, one way or the other. (Investopedia)
