Major US Averages Mixed as Unemployment Rate Rises to 4.6%
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Dec 16 2025
0mins
Should l Buy F?
The major averages had a mixed day as traders reacted to delayed jobs data that could influence the Federal Reserve's interest-rate path next year. Though November's jobs report came in better-than-expected, with an increase of 64,000 jobs for the month, the Bureau of Labor Statistics also reported that 105,000 jobs were shed in October, with the unemployment rate climbing to 4.6%.Record highs earlier in December have given way to a softer backdrop as investors weigh the release of the delayed nonfarm payrolls and other indicators like retail sales and CPI inflation, which were postponed by the longest U.S. government shutdown in history.Looking to commodities, gold was mostly unchanged, while oil fell sharply ahead of API crude numbers set for release this afternoon.Get caught up quickly on the top news and calls moving stocks with these five Top Five lists.1. STOCK NEWS:Fordsaid it expectsto "rationalize" U.S. EV-related assetsPfizerreiterated its guidance for FY25 and provided aPayPalhas submitted applications toApplewill expand its iPhone lineup to seven models by 2027,The U.S. Trade Representative said it will use "every tool" to2. WALL STREET CALLS:Rokuto Overweight from Underweight at Morgan StanleyLockheed Martinto Equal Weight at Morgan StanleyOktato Buy at JefferiesStubHubto Market Perform at CitizensWells FargoGapto Overweight3. AROUND THE WEB:Apollo Globalis exploring a potential sale of Atlas Air,Trump is slated to interview Fed governor Christopher Waller on Tuesday for the position of Fed chair,Oraclesigned roughly $150B of data center leases in the three months ending November 30, raising its total data center and cloud capacity commitments to $248B,Metaearned more than $18B in annual ad sales from China in 2024, making up over 10% of its global revenue, with more than $3B linked to fraudulent ads, like for scams,The U.K. government wants Apple, Google, and others to block explicit images at the OS level by default to protect kids and have adults verify their ages,4. MOVERS:Cementos Pacasmayoincreases in New York after announcingof the Hochschild Group, which controls 50.01% of the companyRezolve AIgains in New York afterannual recurring revenue view of $500M or moreAldeyrahigher after announcing thetarget action date for the reproxalap New Drug ApplicationLightwave Logicfalls after announcing anNavanlower after announcing the departure of5. EARNINGS/GUIDANCE:Vestisreaffirmed itsVital Farmsfor FY25Organigram, with Executive Chair Peter Amirault calling fiscal 2025 "marked by purposeful growth"Humanafor FY25CSP Inc., with EPS and revenue higher year-over-yearINDEXES:The Dow fell 302.30, or 0.62%, to 48,114.26, the Nasdaq gained 54.05, or 0.23%, to 23,111.46, and the S&P 500 declined 16.25, or 0.24%, to 6,800.26.
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Analyst Views on F
Wall Street analysts forecast F stock price to rise
14 Analyst Rating
3 Buy
10 Hold
1 Sell
Hold
Current: 12.870
Low
11.00
Averages
13.65
High
16.00
Current: 12.870
Low
11.00
Averages
13.65
High
16.00
About F
Ford Motor Company is an automobile company. The Company develops and delivers Ford trucks, sport utility vehicles, commercial vans and cars, and Lincoln luxury vehicles, along with connected services. The Company’s segments include Ford Blue, Ford Model e, Ford Pro, and Ford Credit. The Ford Blue segment primarily includes the sale of Ford and Lincoln internal combustion engine (ICE) and hybrid vehicles, service parts, accessories, and digital services for retail customers. The Ford Model e segment primarily includes the sale of its electric vehicles, service parts, accessories, and digital services for retail customers. The Ford Pro segment primarily includes the sale of Ford and Lincoln vehicles, service parts, accessories, and services for commercial, government, and rental customers. The Ford Credit segment consists of the Ford Credit business on a consolidated basis, which is primarily vehicle-related financing and leasing activities. Its vehicle brands are Ford and Lincoln.
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.
Ford's Future Growth Prospects Remain Weak
- Intensified Market Competition: Ford faces fierce competition in the mature automotive industry, with growth expected to remain extremely low over the next decade; despite a 24% increase in U.S. vehicle sales by 2025 compared to 2015, overall market demand will continue to fluctuate, impacting profitability.
- Declining Profitability: Ford's adjusted operating margin was only 3.6% in 2025, significantly lower than 6.8% in 2015, indicating that the company struggles to achieve operational leverage under a high-cost structure, leading to bleak future profit prospects.
- Poor Stock Performance: With a current P/E ratio of 11.3, if unchanged over the next decade, Ford's stock is projected to rise to $15.43, representing only a 24% capital appreciation from the current $12.44, highlighting insufficient investment appeal.
- Investor Confidence Lacking: Ford's absence from the Motley Fool's recommended best stocks list reflects widespread skepticism about its future performance, prompting investors to carefully consider its potential as an investment opportunity.
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- Robotaxi Expansion: Tesla expanded its unsupervised Robotaxi service to Dallas and Houston, adding two new Texas hubs that further strengthen its autonomous driving network in the U.S., potentially attracting more users and increasing market share.
- Delivery Leadership: Despite fierce competition, Tesla regained the global battery-electric vehicle delivery lead in Q1 2026, reporting 358,023 deliveries compared to BYD's 310,389, demonstrating its robust position in the EV market.
- Stock Rebound: Tesla shares rose 15% last week, breaking an eight-week losing streak, reflecting investor optimism about its future prospects, particularly following the rollout of the Robotaxi service, which has significantly improved market expectations for its stock price.
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Ford's Future Outlook Shows Signs of Stagnation
- Sales Growth Stagnation: Ford's projected automotive sales growth of only 24% over the next decade mirrors the past ten years, indicating a mature global car market and the company's legacy position, which may lead investors to feel disappointed about its long-term growth prospects.
- Declining Profitability: The company's adjusted operating margin is expected to be just 3.6% in 2025, significantly lower than 6.8% in 2015, highlighting the immense cost structure pressures that hinder operational leverage and overall profitability.
- Intensified Competitive Risks: The notable success of foreign car manufacturers makes it difficult for Ford to stand out in a crowded market, and due to the cyclical nature of vehicle purchases, Ford is particularly vulnerable to economic fluctuations, which could undermine shareholder confidence.
- Dismal Stock Outlook: Although Ford's current price-to-earnings ratio is 11.3, if it remains unchanged over the next decade, the stock is projected to rise to $15.43 from $12.44, reflecting only a 24% capital appreciation, indicating insufficient investment return attractiveness.
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Ford's Future Outlook Over Next Decade Appears Grim
- Poor Market Performance: Ford's total return of just 66% over the past decade starkly contrasts with the S&P 500's 300%, indicating a significant decline in its attractiveness to investors, which may lead to future capital outflows.
- Weak Sales Growth: Ford's automotive sales are projected to grow only 24% by 2025 compared to 2015, reflecting the maturity of the global car market and the company's legacy position, which limits its growth potential.
- Declining Profitability: The company's adjusted operating margin is expected to drop to 3.6% in 2025 from 6.8% in 2015, highlighting significant cost structure pressures that hinder operational leverage.
- Risks from Competition and Economic Fluctuations: Ford faces challenges from intense market competition and economic cycles, with a lack of strong growth and profits likely to continue troubling the company over the next decade, impacting shareholder confidence.
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- Dollar-Cost Averaging: Dollar-cost averaging involves regularly purchasing stocks or index funds at different price points, helping investors maintain a consistent investment rhythm amidst market volatility, making it suitable for long-term investing.
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Ford's Future Growth Prospects Remain Weak
- Intensified Market Competition: Ford faces fierce competition in the mature automotive industry, with growth expected to remain extremely low over the next decade; despite a 24% increase in U.S. vehicle sales by 2025 compared to 2015, overall market demand will continue to fluctuate, impacting profitability.
- Declining Profitability: Ford's adjusted operating margin was only 3.6% in 2025, significantly lower than 6.8% in 2015, indicating that the company struggles to achieve operational leverage under a high-cost structure, leading to bleak future profit prospects.
- Poor Stock Performance: With a current P/E ratio of 11.3, if unchanged over the next decade, Ford's stock is projected to rise to $15.43, representing only a 24% capital appreciation from the current $12.44, highlighting insufficient investment appeal.
- Investor Confidence Lacking: Ford's absence from the Motley Fool's recommended best stocks list reflects widespread skepticism about its future performance, prompting investors to carefully consider its potential as an investment opportunity.
See More
Tesla Advances FSD Rollout Plans in China
- FSD Progress: Tesla is preparing for a supervised FSD rollout in China, with full approval potentially arriving this year, which will significantly enhance its competitive edge in the Chinese market, especially against local rivals like BYD.
- Robotaxi Expansion: Tesla expanded its unsupervised Robotaxi service to Dallas and Houston, adding two new Texas hubs that further strengthen its autonomous driving network in the U.S., potentially attracting more users and increasing market share.
- Delivery Leadership: Despite fierce competition, Tesla regained the global battery-electric vehicle delivery lead in Q1 2026, reporting 358,023 deliveries compared to BYD's 310,389, demonstrating its robust position in the EV market.
- Stock Rebound: Tesla shares rose 15% last week, breaking an eight-week losing streak, reflecting investor optimism about its future prospects, particularly following the rollout of the Robotaxi service, which has significantly improved market expectations for its stock price.
See More
Ford's Future Outlook Shows Signs of Stagnation
- Sales Growth Stagnation: Ford's projected automotive sales growth of only 24% over the next decade mirrors the past ten years, indicating a mature global car market and the company's legacy position, which may lead investors to feel disappointed about its long-term growth prospects.
- Declining Profitability: The company's adjusted operating margin is expected to be just 3.6% in 2025, significantly lower than 6.8% in 2015, highlighting the immense cost structure pressures that hinder operational leverage and overall profitability.
- Intensified Competitive Risks: The notable success of foreign car manufacturers makes it difficult for Ford to stand out in a crowded market, and due to the cyclical nature of vehicle purchases, Ford is particularly vulnerable to economic fluctuations, which could undermine shareholder confidence.
- Dismal Stock Outlook: Although Ford's current price-to-earnings ratio is 11.3, if it remains unchanged over the next decade, the stock is projected to rise to $15.43 from $12.44, reflecting only a 24% capital appreciation, indicating insufficient investment return attractiveness.
See More
Ford's Future Outlook Over Next Decade Appears Grim
- Poor Market Performance: Ford's total return of just 66% over the past decade starkly contrasts with the S&P 500's 300%, indicating a significant decline in its attractiveness to investors, which may lead to future capital outflows.
- Weak Sales Growth: Ford's automotive sales are projected to grow only 24% by 2025 compared to 2015, reflecting the maturity of the global car market and the company's legacy position, which limits its growth potential.
- Declining Profitability: The company's adjusted operating margin is expected to drop to 3.6% in 2025 from 6.8% in 2015, highlighting significant cost structure pressures that hinder operational leverage.
- Risks from Competition and Economic Fluctuations: Ford faces challenges from intense market competition and economic cycles, with a lack of strong growth and profits likely to continue troubling the company over the next decade, impacting shareholder confidence.
See More
Understanding Investment Terms: Volume 8
- Retirement Smile: The retirement smile describes the spending pattern of retirees, which starts high, dips in the middle years, and rises again due to increased healthcare costs, significantly impacting financial planning strategies.
- Depreciation Concept: Depreciation is the accounting process of spreading the cost of long-lived assets over their useful life, affecting reported profitability, especially in capital-intensive industries like AI data centers.
- Dollar-Cost Averaging: Dollar-cost averaging involves regularly purchasing stocks or index funds at different price points, helping investors maintain a consistent investment rhythm amidst market volatility, making it suitable for long-term investing.
- Risk Tolerance: Risk tolerance refers to an investor's comfort with market volatility and potential losses, often revealed during market downturns, and requires self-reflection to fully understand.
See More
Understanding Investment Terms: Volume 8
- Investment Terms Introduction: In Volume 8 of Rule Breaker Investing, David Gardner discusses six important investment terms with Motley Fool analysts, aiming to enhance investors' understanding of market dynamics and improve decision-making.
- Retirement Smile Curve: Amanda Kish introduces the retirement smile curve, emphasizing the U-shaped spending pattern in retirement, where initial spending is high, decreases in mid-retirement, and rises again due to healthcare costs, reminding investors to plan retirement funds wisely.
- Depreciation Concept: Nick Sciple explains the accounting treatment of depreciation and its impact on corporate profitability, stressing that investors should focus on cash flow rather than solely relying on the income statement for a more accurate assessment of a company's financial health.
- Risk Tolerance: Alicia Alfiere explores the complexity of risk tolerance, highlighting the need for investors to engage in self-reflection during market volatility to better understand their investment psychology and decision-making processes.
See More
