Six Americans Who Transformed the Landscape of Capitalism
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Sep 07 2025
0mins
Source: WSJ
Founding Influence: The origins of American capitalism trace back to the Founding Fathers, but its evolution has been shaped by numerous individuals over time.
Key Figures: The article highlights six significant people who have contributed to the development of the U.S. economic system.
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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: 11.680
Low
11.00
Averages
13.65
High
16.00
Current: 11.680
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 Reports 8.8% Decline in Q1 Sales Amid Strong Demand for Trucks and SUVs
- Sales Performance Decline: Ford's total sales for Q1 fell by 8.8%, although the company managed to increase its retail market share amidst a shifting industry landscape, indicating efforts to maintain its market position in challenging conditions.
- Strong Demand: Despite the overall sales decline, demand for F-Series trucks and large SUVs like the Bronco, Explorer, and Expedition has continued to grow, suggesting a strong consumer preference for these models.
- Strategic Focus: Ford President Andrew Frick stated that the company is focusing on its strengths in high-demand segments while continuing to meet customer needs for both affordable and premium vehicle options, enhancing its competitive edge in the market.
- Stock Price Fluctuation: Currently trading at $11.48, Ford's stock has decreased by 1.67% from the previous trading day, reflecting market concerns over the company's sales performance, which may impact investor confidence.
See More
Impact of Trump's Tariffs One Year Later
- Widespread Tariff Impact: Trump's tariff policies have placed significant economic pressure on U.S. businesses over the past year, with approximately 80% to 85% of costs absorbed by companies, leading to reduced profits and increased consumer prices, thereby exacerbating overall economic uncertainty.
- Retail Sector Adaptation: While large retailers like Walmart have emerged relatively unscathed, smaller businesses have been severely impacted, with Home Depot aiming to limit purchases from any single country to 10% to reduce dependency and enhance supply chain flexibility.
- Automotive Industry Cost Surge: Automakers such as General Motors and Toyota are facing tariff impacts estimated at up to $9.5 billion, and although the Trump administration has taken steps to alleviate overlapping tariffs, overall costs remain significant, forcing companies to reassess their supply chain strategies.
- Pharmaceutical Sector Stability: Pharmaceutical companies have secured three-year tariff exemptions through pricing agreements with Trump, although new tariffs impose 100% on companies that do not reach agreements, the overall industry is still striving to increase investments in U.S. manufacturing.
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Ford Credit's Profit-Driving Potential
- Profit Source: Ford Credit, while generating only about 5% of the company's revenue annually, contributes 15% to 20% of profits, with last year's earnings before taxes reaching $2.6 billion and returning $1.7 billion in cash to Ford, supporting growth in electric vehicles and other initiatives.
- Leasing Risks: Ford Credit finances customer sales and leases, and is projected to face significant risks from off-lease EVs with residual values lower than expected, potentially crippling profitability, especially with nearly 800,000 EVs expected to come off lease by 2028.
- Market Dynamics: By the end of 2026, EVs are expected to make up 15% of off-lease used vehicles, up from just 7.7% in Q1 2023, indicating rapid changes in the EV market and its potential impact on Ford Credit.
- Industry Loss Estimates: Experts predict that the resale value of off-lease EVs will be around $10,000 less than projected, leading to an estimated industry-wide loss of about $8 billion in 2028, posing challenges for Ford and its competitors Tesla and General Motors.
See More
Ford Credit Faces EV Residual Value Crisis
- Profitability Overview: Ford Credit has recorded only one annual loss in the past two decades, in 2008, and while it typically generates about 5% of the company's revenue, it contributes 15% to 20% of profits, highlighting its significance as a profit engine.
- EV Residual Value Risk: With nearly 800,000 EVs expected to flood the market by 2028, industry experts predict these vehicles will resell for about $10,000 less than projected, potentially leading to an industry-wide loss of approximately $8 billion, posing significant financial pressure on Ford Credit.
- Leasing Market Dynamics: Ford's performance in the EV leasing market is relatively weak, with only 52,000 EV leases last year compared to 228,000 for Tesla and 102,000 for General Motors, which may impact Ford's future profitability due to market share disparities.
- Investor Watchpoint: Although the current situation is less severe than the 2008 crisis, the residual value issues of EVs warrant close attention from investors, as they could unexpectedly affect Ford's financial health in the coming years.
See More
Ford Reports Nearly 9% Decline in Q1 U.S. Sales Amid Economic Uncertainty
- Sales Decline Reasons: Ford's U.S. sales fell nearly 9% in Q1, totaling 457,315 vehicles, primarily due to a shift towards larger SUVs and tough year-over-year comparisons, indicating weakened market demand.
- Electric Vehicle Sales Drop: Sales of Ford's electrified vehicles plummeted 34.8% to 48,019 units, reflecting reduced consumer purchasing willingness amid high gas prices and economic uncertainty, which could impact future market share.
- Luxury Brand Performance: Lincoln's Q1 sales dipped 0.5% to 23,610 vehicles, demonstrating brand stability and consumer loyalty despite the challenging overall market environment.
- Retail Market Share Growth: Despite the overall sales decline, Ford estimates its retail market share grew by 0.2 percentage points to 11.6%, indicating the company's ability to maintain a certain market position in a competitive landscape.
See More
Tesla Reports 14% Drop in Q1 Deliveries Amidst Increased Competition
- Declining Deliveries: Tesla reported Q1 vehicle deliveries of 358,023, a 14% decrease from the previous quarter, although this reflects a 6% year-over-year increase, indicating the need for improved sales strategies amidst fierce competition to maintain market share.
- Production Challenges: The production volume for Q1 was 408,386 vehicles, falling short of analysts' expectations of 370,000, highlighting a gap between production capacity and market demand that could impact future financial performance.
- New Product Strategy: Tesla has ceased production of its flagship Model S and X vehicles, reallocating production lines to develop the Optimus robot, although this shift has yet to yield significant sales, reflecting uncertainty in the company's new business direction.
- Energy Business Performance: The deployment of battery energy storage systems in Q1 was 8.8 GWh, down from 10.4 GWh a year earlier, indicating increased competition in the energy market that may affect Tesla's long-term growth potential in renewable energy.
See More
Ford Reports 8.8% Decline in Q1 Sales Amid Strong Demand for Trucks and SUVs
- Sales Performance Decline: Ford's total sales for Q1 fell by 8.8%, although the company managed to increase its retail market share amidst a shifting industry landscape, indicating efforts to maintain its market position in challenging conditions.
- Strong Demand: Despite the overall sales decline, demand for F-Series trucks and large SUVs like the Bronco, Explorer, and Expedition has continued to grow, suggesting a strong consumer preference for these models.
- Strategic Focus: Ford President Andrew Frick stated that the company is focusing on its strengths in high-demand segments while continuing to meet customer needs for both affordable and premium vehicle options, enhancing its competitive edge in the market.
- Stock Price Fluctuation: Currently trading at $11.48, Ford's stock has decreased by 1.67% from the previous trading day, reflecting market concerns over the company's sales performance, which may impact investor confidence.
See More
Impact of Trump's Tariffs One Year Later
- Widespread Tariff Impact: Trump's tariff policies have placed significant economic pressure on U.S. businesses over the past year, with approximately 80% to 85% of costs absorbed by companies, leading to reduced profits and increased consumer prices, thereby exacerbating overall economic uncertainty.
- Retail Sector Adaptation: While large retailers like Walmart have emerged relatively unscathed, smaller businesses have been severely impacted, with Home Depot aiming to limit purchases from any single country to 10% to reduce dependency and enhance supply chain flexibility.
- Automotive Industry Cost Surge: Automakers such as General Motors and Toyota are facing tariff impacts estimated at up to $9.5 billion, and although the Trump administration has taken steps to alleviate overlapping tariffs, overall costs remain significant, forcing companies to reassess their supply chain strategies.
- Pharmaceutical Sector Stability: Pharmaceutical companies have secured three-year tariff exemptions through pricing agreements with Trump, although new tariffs impose 100% on companies that do not reach agreements, the overall industry is still striving to increase investments in U.S. manufacturing.
See More
Ford Credit's Profit-Driving Potential
- Profit Source: Ford Credit, while generating only about 5% of the company's revenue annually, contributes 15% to 20% of profits, with last year's earnings before taxes reaching $2.6 billion and returning $1.7 billion in cash to Ford, supporting growth in electric vehicles and other initiatives.
- Leasing Risks: Ford Credit finances customer sales and leases, and is projected to face significant risks from off-lease EVs with residual values lower than expected, potentially crippling profitability, especially with nearly 800,000 EVs expected to come off lease by 2028.
- Market Dynamics: By the end of 2026, EVs are expected to make up 15% of off-lease used vehicles, up from just 7.7% in Q1 2023, indicating rapid changes in the EV market and its potential impact on Ford Credit.
- Industry Loss Estimates: Experts predict that the resale value of off-lease EVs will be around $10,000 less than projected, leading to an estimated industry-wide loss of about $8 billion in 2028, posing challenges for Ford and its competitors Tesla and General Motors.
See More
Ford Credit Faces EV Residual Value Crisis
- Profitability Overview: Ford Credit has recorded only one annual loss in the past two decades, in 2008, and while it typically generates about 5% of the company's revenue, it contributes 15% to 20% of profits, highlighting its significance as a profit engine.
- EV Residual Value Risk: With nearly 800,000 EVs expected to flood the market by 2028, industry experts predict these vehicles will resell for about $10,000 less than projected, potentially leading to an industry-wide loss of approximately $8 billion, posing significant financial pressure on Ford Credit.
- Leasing Market Dynamics: Ford's performance in the EV leasing market is relatively weak, with only 52,000 EV leases last year compared to 228,000 for Tesla and 102,000 for General Motors, which may impact Ford's future profitability due to market share disparities.
- Investor Watchpoint: Although the current situation is less severe than the 2008 crisis, the residual value issues of EVs warrant close attention from investors, as they could unexpectedly affect Ford's financial health in the coming years.
See More
Ford Reports Nearly 9% Decline in Q1 U.S. Sales Amid Economic Uncertainty
- Sales Decline Reasons: Ford's U.S. sales fell nearly 9% in Q1, totaling 457,315 vehicles, primarily due to a shift towards larger SUVs and tough year-over-year comparisons, indicating weakened market demand.
- Electric Vehicle Sales Drop: Sales of Ford's electrified vehicles plummeted 34.8% to 48,019 units, reflecting reduced consumer purchasing willingness amid high gas prices and economic uncertainty, which could impact future market share.
- Luxury Brand Performance: Lincoln's Q1 sales dipped 0.5% to 23,610 vehicles, demonstrating brand stability and consumer loyalty despite the challenging overall market environment.
- Retail Market Share Growth: Despite the overall sales decline, Ford estimates its retail market share grew by 0.2 percentage points to 11.6%, indicating the company's ability to maintain a certain market position in a competitive landscape.
See More
Tesla Reports 14% Drop in Q1 Deliveries Amidst Increased Competition
- Declining Deliveries: Tesla reported Q1 vehicle deliveries of 358,023, a 14% decrease from the previous quarter, although this reflects a 6% year-over-year increase, indicating the need for improved sales strategies amidst fierce competition to maintain market share.
- Production Challenges: The production volume for Q1 was 408,386 vehicles, falling short of analysts' expectations of 370,000, highlighting a gap between production capacity and market demand that could impact future financial performance.
- New Product Strategy: Tesla has ceased production of its flagship Model S and X vehicles, reallocating production lines to develop the Optimus robot, although this shift has yet to yield significant sales, reflecting uncertainty in the company's new business direction.
- Energy Business Performance: The deployment of battery energy storage systems in Q1 was 8.8 GWh, down from 10.4 GWh a year earlier, indicating increased competition in the energy market that may affect Tesla's long-term growth potential in renewable energy.
See More
