Key Stock Developments on Friday: Factors That May Influence the Market in the Upcoming Trading Session
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Aug 21 2025
0mins
Source: CNBC
Market Overview: The S&P 500 has declined for five consecutive days, with various automotive stocks showing mixed performance; Stellantis' Jeep brand is set to unveil the new Cherokee amid a 26% drop in stock this year.
Automotive Stocks Performance: Ford and General Motors have seen gains of 14% and 6% respectively this year, while Tesla is down 20% year-to-date but up 43% over the past year.
Buckle and AT&T Updates: Buckle will report quarterly numbers soon, having gained 35% in three months. AT&T reached a new high, up 29% year-to-date, with an RSI indicating it may be overbought.
Sector Performance: The insurance sector is performing well, with Everest and Arthur Gallagher seeing increases, while the airline industry is struggling, with Delta and United both experiencing declines this week.
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Analyst Views on GM
Wall Street analysts forecast GM stock price to rise
19 Analyst Rating
14 Buy
4 Hold
1 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 79.460
Low
57.00
Averages
95.06
High
122.00
Current: 79.460
Low
57.00
Averages
95.06
High
122.00
About GM
General Motors Company designs, builds and sells trucks, crossovers, cars and automobile parts and provides software-enabled services and subscriptions worldwide. The Company's segments include GMNA, GMI, Cruise and GM Financial. Its GM North America (GMNA) and GM International (GMI) develop, manufacture and/or markets vehicles under the Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC brands. The Company provides automotive financing services through its General Motors Financial Company, Inc. (GM Financial) segment. Its Cruise segment is engaged in the development and commercialization of autonomous vehicle technology. Its software-enabled services and subscriptions, including OnStar, its advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), including Super Cruise driver assistance technology, and its end-to-end software platform. The Company is also focused on investing in electric vehicles (EVs) and AVs, software-enabled services and subscriptions and new business opportunities.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Product Refresh Plans: Ford plans to refresh 80% of its North American portfolio and 70% of its global portfolio by 2029, including a new midsize pickup based on the 'Universal Electric Vehicle' platform, indicating a proactive approach in the electric vehicle market.
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- Profit Drivers: Despite a less stable outlook for 2026 compared to a few months ago, Deutsche Bank believes many of GM's profit drivers are within the company's control, particularly with the upcoming switch to the next-gen truck platform in 2027 expected to enhance profitability.
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See More
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- Profit Drivers: While the outlook for 2026 is less stable than a few months ago, analysts emphasize that many of GM's profit drivers remain within the company's control, including the rollout of next-generation trucks in 2027, which could further boost stock performance.
- Software and Services Growth: Deutsche Bank highlights that GM's software and services segment is on track for growth; although it currently represents a minor part of the profit and loss statement, its growth trajectory is expected to enhance the company's valuation multiple, showcasing potential in new business areas.
See More
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- Executive Departure: Doug Field, Ford's chief of electric vehicles, digital, and design, is set to leave the company within a month, a move that may impact the execution of Ford's electric vehicle strategy amid ongoing executive restructuring.
- New Organizational Structure: Ford has established a 'Product Creation and Industrialization' unit led by COO Kumar Galhotra, aimed at integrating Field's responsibilities to support the company's goal of achieving an 8% adjusted EBIT margin by 2029.
- Product Refresh Plans: Ford plans to refresh 80% of its North American portfolio and 70% of its global portfolio by 2029, including a new midsize pickup based on the 'Universal Electric Vehicle' platform, indicating a proactive approach in the electric vehicle market.
- Software and Electrical Architecture: By 2030, Ford aims for 90% of its global nameplates to offer electrified powertrains, with plans to introduce updated electrical architectures and user experiences, enhancing digital services and product quality to drive the company's transformation.
See More
Ford's EV Chief Doug Field Exits Amid Executive Restructuring
- Executive Departure: Doug Field, Ford's head of electric vehicles and software, is leaving the company, with a transition period of one month, marking a significant restructuring that could impact Ford's future EV strategy.
- New Organizational Structure: Ford has established a 'Product Creation and Industrialization' unit led by COO Kumar Galhotra, aimed at integrating Field's responsibilities to achieve an 8% adjusted EBIT margin by 2029, highlighting the company's commitment to the EV market.
- Product Refresh Plans: The automaker plans to refresh 80% of its North American portfolio and 70% of its global portfolio by 2029, including a new midsize pickup based on the 'Universal Electric Vehicle' platform, indicating ongoing investment and diversification in the EV sector.
- Financial Challenges: Ford reported significant shortfalls in software revenue generation, announcing a $19.5 billion write-down last December, reflecting the substantial financial pressures faced during its EV transition, contrasting sharply with General Motors' $7.6 billion in similar charges.
See More
Key Takeaways from CNBC Investing Club Morning Meeting
- Market Trend Analysis: The stock market continued its strong performance from Monday, driven by investor optimism for an end to the Iran war despite a breakdown in peace talks, with West Texas Intermediate crude falling 5% to $93 per barrel, indicating a cautious outlook for the future.
- Amazon Position Trimming: Jim Cramer indicated a willingness to trim the Amazon position due to its over 20% rise since March 27 and exceeding a 5% portfolio weight, aiming to protect profits and manage risk, although the fundamentals remain solid.
- Alphabet Stock Outlook: Citi analysts named Alphabet an 'upside 90-day catalyst watch' and raised its price target from $390 to $405, anticipating that upcoming events like the Google Cloud Next will drive stock price increases, with Cramer expressing optimism about the company's direction.
- Rapid Trade Review: At the end of the video, Jim Cramer highlighted stocks such as JP Morgan, BlackRock, Dow Inc., Ford, General Motors, and United Airlines, showcasing the diversity of the investment portfolio and the broad market focus.
See More
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- Infleqtion Coverage Initiation: Citigroup initiates coverage of quantum computing firm Infleqtion with a Buy/High Risk rating and a $20 price target, highlighting its uniqueness in the quantum computing sector, which may attract investor interest.
- SAP Downgrade: Piper Sandler downgrades SAP from Overweight to Neutral, citing challenges in the macroeconomic environment and anticipating lower valuation multiples as the software industry transitions from SaaS to AI.
- Positive Catalysts for Alphabet: Citigroup adds a 90-day Catalyst Watch on Alphabet, expecting upcoming product updates during events like Google Cloud Next and YouTube Brandcast to drive stock price appreciation.
- Biogen Upgrade: Piper Sandler upgrades Biogen from Neutral to Overweight, raising the price target from $177 to $214, reflecting confidence in its growth potential moving forward.
See More
Deutsche Bank Upgrades GM to Buy Rating Amid Positive Outlook
- Rating Upgrade: Deutsche Bank upgraded General Motors from Hold to Buy, with analyst Edison Yu highlighting that the recent stock pullback presents an attractive entry point for investors, anticipating a multi-year re-rate story ahead.
- Profit Drivers: Despite a less stable outlook for 2026 compared to a few months ago, Deutsche Bank believes many of GM's profit drivers are within the company's control, particularly with the upcoming switch to the next-gen truck platform in 2027 expected to enhance profitability.
- Software and Services Growth: Analysts noted that GM's software and services stream is gaining momentum, and despite recent macroeconomic instability raising concerns, there has been no significant change in consumer behavior or volume declines, especially in the first quarter.
- Price Target Increase: Deutsche Bank raised GM's price target from $83 to $90, based on a 3.25X multiple to the 2026 auto EBITDAP estimate and 6X GM Financial earnings, reflecting confidence in the company's future profitability.
See More
Deutsche Bank Upgrades General Motors Amid Pullback
- Rating Upgrade: Deutsche Bank upgraded General Motors from hold to buy and raised its price target from $83 to $90, indicating a 17.1% upside from Monday's close, reflecting confidence in the company's future performance.
- Market Reaction: GM shares have dipped over 2% since the onset of the Iran war, primarily driven by concerns over rising shipping costs and potential supply shocks; however, analysts view this as an attractive entry point that could lead to a multi-year re-rate opportunity.
- Profit Drivers: While the outlook for 2026 is less stable than a few months ago, analysts emphasize that many of GM's profit drivers remain within the company's control, including the rollout of next-generation trucks in 2027, which could further boost stock performance.
- Software and Services Growth: Deutsche Bank highlights that GM's software and services segment is on track for growth; although it currently represents a minor part of the profit and loss statement, its growth trajectory is expected to enhance the company's valuation multiple, showcasing potential in new business areas.
See More
