New York, Jan 8, 2026, 18:45 EST — After-hours
Ford Motor shares climbed almost 5% on Thursday following an upgrade from Piper Sandler. In after-hours trading, the stock was last seen up 4.8% at $14.40, after reaching $14.49 earlier in the session.
The rally comes as investors adjust their expectations for Detroit automakers, anticipating a slower rollout of electric vehicles and a sharper focus on returning cash to shareholders. General Motors announced a $6 billion charge connected to scaling back some EV investments, marking the latest indication the industry is stepping back after the $7,500 federal EV tax credit expired on Sept. 30 and consumer demand weakened.
Piper analyst Alexander Potter said “positive earnings revisions seem likely” for U.S. automakers, pointing to what he described as limited competitive pressure from Chinese rivals and a regulatory environment he expects to be less hostile. He also highlighted potential for about $1.5 billion in annual gains to Ford’s adjusted EBIT — a profit metric that excludes certain one-time items — by 2026. MarketWatch
Potter bumped Ford up to “overweight” from “neutral” and boosted his price target to $16 from $11, according to reports. Simply put, an overweight rating means he expects Ford to outperform its sector peers or other stocks he tracks. GuruFocus+1
Ford is aiming to win over investors with software and subscriptions, not just its trucks. This week, it announced plans for a Level 3 driver-assistance system by 2028 that lets drivers take their hands and eyes off the wheel on certain highways, though the extra fee remains undecided. Chief EV, digital and design officer Doug Field told Reuters the company is still figuring out pricing — “Should it be a subscription?” — and mentioned Ford will use lidar sensors; their current Level 2 BlueCruise system allows hands-free driving but still requires drivers to keep an eye on the road. Reuters
The showroom backdrop looks better than the reality in the EV division. Ford reported a 6% rise in U.S. sales in 2025, reaching 2,204,124 vehicles as hybrids helped balance out a slowdown in EV sales. Hybrid sales jumped nearly 22% to 228,072, while Maverick sales grew about 18% to 155,051. Andrew Frick, who oversees Ford’s gas and EV operations, said Maverick demand “really had a big impact” on the company’s approach to affordability. Reuters
Wall Street finished on a mixed note as tech stocks took a hit while defense shares climbed higher. All eyes now shift to Friday’s U.S. nonfarm payrolls report, coming after a modest uptick in weekly jobless claims. “It’s become a ‘show me’ sector,” said B. Riley Wealth strategist Art Hogan, highlighting investors’ demand for tangible returns after heavy spending on AI-related trades. Reuters
But Ford faces more than just everyday challenges—legal costs can quickly become news. The company recently amended a lawsuit, accusing three lawyers of a scheme to rake in over $100 million in unearned fees related to California’s Lemon Law. This came after a judge threw out an earlier version of the case back in November.
Investors have another major date to watch on Feb. 10, when Ford plans to unveil its fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 results, along with a fresh roadmap for 2026. The company has already flagged roughly $19.5 billion in special charges tied to its EV efforts, including about $5.5 billion in cash impacts, most of which will hit the books in 2026.
