New York, February 1, 2026, 06:28 EST — Market closed.
- Ford shares ended the session at $13.88, slipping 0.86%.
- Ford and China’s Xiaomi have both denied rumors of discussions about a U.S. EV joint venture.
- Ford’s quarterly results, due Feb. 10, mark investors’ next key checkpoint.
Ford Motor shares are set to draw attention when U.S. markets reopen Monday after the Financial Times reported talks between the automaker and China’s Xiaomi on a joint venture to produce electric vehicles (EVs) in the U.S. Ford pushed back on the story, denying the talks took place, while Xiaomi said it is not in negotiations to enter the U.S. market.
The timing couldn’t be worse. Ford is stepping into earnings season while investors remain jittery over EV spending and the pressure from cheaper Chinese competitors.
The politics angle often lingers. Even a hint of closer ties to Chinese car or battery firms can spark scrutiny in Washington, sending the stock into motion.
Ford shares slipped 0.86% to close Friday at $13.88, positioning the stock for a potentially volatile start on Monday following a quiet end to the week.
Ford’s chief communications officer, Mark Truby, took to social media to deny the claim. “This story is completely false. There is no truth to it,” he said on X. X (formerly Twitter)
The weekend report arrives amid growing scrutiny from lawmakers on supply-chain vulnerabilities. On Jan. 28, House Select Committee on China chair John Moolenaar sent a letter to Ford CEO Jim Farley, warning that China might “weaponize the auto supply chain” if the company expands ties with Chinese firms. Select Committee on the CCP
Ford’s juggling act is clear: slash EV costs while ramping up investments, all without ceding ground in its cash-generating segments. That push-and-pull bleeds into every rumor swirling around partnerships, platforms, and battery technology.
Monday’s action hinges on whether the momentum holds. Without new developments, it’ll slip back into the weekend’s noise. But if fresh political remarks emerge, the story could stick around for days.
Auto stocks showed a split performance in the last session as broader U.S. indexes dipped. General Motors slid 2.62% on Friday. Tesla, by contrast, climbed 3.32%, highlighting the sector’s rapid mood shifts.
Ford’s next key event is its fourth-quarter 2025 earnings report, set for Feb. 10, as noted on the company’s investor relations calendar.
Investors are keenly awaiting updates on pricing, inventories, and how quickly new products and batteries are selling. Remarks about supply chains and partnerships could carry as much weight as the actual figures in this report.
The greater danger lies in politics. If the Xiaomi report keeps making the rounds, Ford’s stock might start reflecting Capitol Hill chatter instead of the company’s actual performance.
