New York, Jan 10, 2026, 07:52 EST — Market closed
- Archer Aviation (ACHR) ended Friday 1.15% higher at $8.81, following a 3.44% rise the day before
- The company intends to incorporate Nvidia’s IGX Thor onboard computing into upcoming versions of its Midnight electric air taxi
- Investors have their eyes on the $9 mark, the U.S. CPI release on Jan. 13, and the upcoming estimate for Archer’s next earnings date
Archer Aviation Inc (ACHR) shares climbed 1.15% on Friday to close at $8.81, building on momentum following the company’s announcement of an AI computing partnership with Nvidia (NVDA) unveiled at CES in Las Vegas. 1
This shift is significant as Archer remains deep into the costly, drawn-out process of developing and certifying its Midnight electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, or eVTOL — a battery-powered plane capable of vertical lift like a helicopter.
Big-name partners stand out as one of the rare solid signals investors can rely on between test flights and regulatory rulings. Traders have jumped on these cues in a sector known to move quickly on news.
Archer announced Thursday plans to build aviation AI using Nvidia’s IGX Thor platform, aiming to roll out the tech at its Hawthorne airport in Los Angeles. The company expects to turn the site into a hub for its upcoming LA air taxi network. CEO Adam Goldstein said Nvidia’s AI compute and software stack “give us the foundation to accelerate toward safer, smarter aircraft systems.” 2
IGX Thor, Nvidia’s safety-certified edge computing module, handles sensor and flight data directly onboard instead of relying on remote data centers. Archer confirmed integration is in progress and anticipates wider applications in manufacturing, fleet management, and pilot training. 3
The stock’s two-day rally pushed it back near $9; on Friday, it fluctuated from $8.55 to $8.97 following Thursday’s surge. This price zone has repeatedly capped ACHR in recent sessions.
A Form 4 filed on Jan. 9 revealed that Goldstein received 131,300 deferred restricted stock units, a stock award that converts to shares later, linked to the first tranche of a performance-based grant approved in 2024. 4
Archer edged higher alongside a few peers, with Joby Aviation wrapping Friday up about 0.9% stronger. But the real play across this sector remains tied to certification milestones and whether these companies can ramp production without ballooning their cash burn.
The downside is clear. A delay in safety certification, problems with new onboard systems, or a tighter funding environment could all hurt a company still burning cash and not yet flying passengers.
Ahead of Monday’s open, all eyes turn to macro data, with U.S. consumer-price numbers set for Tuesday, Jan. 13. That report could move high-beta stocks like ACHR. Archer’s next major milestone is its quarterly update, penciled in by some for Feb. 26. Investors will focus on the cash runway and any shifts in certification or launch timelines. 5 6
