New York, June 23, 2026, 06:02 (ET)
- Ford shares looked set to open lower Tuesday. They finished Monday at $14.11, up 0.36%. NYSE trading hours are 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET.
- Unifor has started contract negotiations with Ford in Canada, looking to set the tone for upcoming deals with General Motors and Stellantis.
- Unifor is targeting July 10 for a tentative deal with Ford.
Ford Motor shares fell early Tuesday, moving lower in light premarket action. The stock tracked a new labor deadline in Canada, while U.S. stock futures stayed under pressure.
Ford was indicated at $13.90 ahead of the open, off 1.49% from its $14.11 close on Monday. That’s premarket, when volumes tend to be lower than the regular session starting at 9:30 a.m. ET.
Unifor, the Canadian auto union, started contract talks with Ford on Monday, kicking off a bargaining round with Detroit’s big automakers that could affect labor costs and manufacturing stability. Reuters said Unifor represents about 19,000 workers at Ford, General Motors and Stellantis, and the union wants better pay, stronger job security, and improved benefits.
Ford is leading the talks. Unifor picked Ford to set the tone, citing Ford’s support for its Canadian operations and its relationship with the union. Unifor said it represents 5,150 Ford workers in Canada and wants a tentative deal by July 10.
Ford of Canada said in a statement from Meredith Keenan, vice president of human resources, the company is heading into talks with “deep respect” for collective bargaining. Ford wants a deal that backs both workforce stability and keeps Canadian manufacturing competitive. Newswire
Unifor National President Lana Payne called this “one of the most consequential” Detroit Three bargaining rounds in decades, pointing to tariffs and investment uncertainty. The union hasn’t set dates for GM and Stellantis talks yet. Unifor
Ford goes into labor talks pushing its improved profit figures. In April, the automaker posted first-quarter revenue of $43.3 billion, net income at $2.5 billion, and adjusted EBIT of $3.5 billion. Adjusted EBIT is profit before interest and taxes, not counting certain items. Ford also lifted its full-year adjusted EBIT guidance to between $8.5 billion and $10.5 billion.
Ford CEO Jim Farley called the quarter evidence of “momentum of the Ford+ plan.” CFO Sherry House said, “The path to higher margins is clear.” Ford pointed to a $1.3 billion one-time tariff benefit in the quarter.
Ford’s energy storage move is getting another look from investors. Ford shares surged 13% in a single session in May, the biggest jump in nearly six years, after a Morgan Stanley note pointed to Ford’s new business focused on LFP battery tech for data centers and utilities. Reuters reported the jump.
But there are clear risks. A higher-cost labor contract could push up expenses. If talks stall, production could take a hit. Unifor said tariffs on Canadian vehicles and parts add another layer of uncertainty. Ford’s own outlook doesn’t take into account any ongoing Middle East fighting or a deep U.S. slump.
Nerves showed across the tape. Nasdaq futures dropped over 2% early Tuesday, Reuters said, citing tech worries and bets on more Fed hikes for the slide. S&P 500 and Dow futures were also down, as investors reacted to rate fears and worries about AI spending fueled by debt.
Wall Street isn’t on the same page about Ford. FactSet data in WSJ put a consensus “Hold” on the stock, with an average target at $14.72 and median at $14.25. MarketWatch has Ford’s next earnings set for July 29. Wall Street Journal
