Wall Street Retreats As Inflation Worries Mount, 5 ETFs That Stood Strong Last Week
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Feb 24 2025
0mins
Source: Benzinga
Market Overview: Wall Street experienced a pullback due to inflation concerns and a weak consumer spending outlook, with Walmart's profit forecast impacting its stock negatively. Meanwhile, Chinese tech stocks thrived, particularly Alibaba, as investors anticipated policy easing from China's central bank.
ETF Performance: Several ETFs showed significant weekly gains, notably the Defiance Daily Target 2X Long SMCI ETF with a 120.33% increase, alongside strong performances from natural gas-related funds amid rising demand and supply constraints.
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Analyst Views on ACHR
Wall Street analysts forecast ACHR stock price to rise
6 Analyst Rating
4 Buy
2 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 6.510
Low
8.00
Averages
12.40
High
18.00
Current: 6.510
Low
8.00
Averages
12.40
High
18.00
About ACHR
Archer Aviation Inc. is an aerospace company. It is engaged in providing customers with advanced aircraft and related technologies and services in the United States and internationally in both the commercial and defense sectors. Its commercial line of business consists of the sale of its commercial aircraft (Archer Direct), such as Midnight, to aircraft operators as well as technologies and services related thereto, including commercial launch (certification, testing, training, demonstration, market survey and early trial operations), and maintenance and repair. Its defense line of business consists of the sale of aircraft and related technologies for defense applications. Its initial product is intended to be a hybrid-propulsion, vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft. Its Midnight aircraft is designed around its proprietary 12-tilt-6 distributed electric propulsion platform. It carries four passengers plus a pilot. The aircraft is purpose-built for air taxi operations.
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.
- FAA Regulatory Progress: Archer Aviation is rapidly advancing through the FAA regulatory process, with U.S. operations expected to launch in 2026, providing early trial flight opportunities for commercialization, although it currently lacks a commercial license.
- Financial Condition Analysis: With a market cap of $4.6 billion and $1.8 billion in cash reserves, Archer still faces significant financial pressure as it burns between $500 million and $700 million annually, raising concerns about its future profitability.
- Strategic Partnerships: Archer has formed strategic alliances with prominent partners like United Airlines to establish an air taxi route between Manhattan and nearby airports, enhancing its market presence and laying the groundwork for future revenue growth.
- Market Outlook Challenges: Despite Archer's potential in the eVTOL sector, its lag behind Joby Aviation in regulatory timelines and the fact that it has only manufactured two eVTOLs raises investor caution regarding its future market value.
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- FAA Certification Progress: Archer Aviation has completed phase three of the FAA's four-step certification process, becoming the first eVTOL company to achieve this milestone, which allows it to conduct flight tests under FAA oversight and lays the groundwork for future commercial operations.
- Market Prospects and Partnerships: Archer is collaborating with partners in major states like New York, Texas, and Florida to advance eVTOL commercialization, aiming to initiate operations in the second half of 2026, although this timeline appears ambitious, the White House's support may expedite the process.
- Financial Challenges: Despite Archer's stock trading below $7, its market cap stands at $5 billion, while first-quarter revenue was only $1.6 million with a net loss of approximately $218 million, indicating a precarious financial situation.
- Future Challenges and Opportunities: Archer needs to establish an air taxi network and supporting infrastructure, but without commercial revenue, its $1.8 billion in liquidity could deplete quickly, prompting investors to carefully assess its future potential.
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- FAA Certification Progress: Archer Aviation recently completed phase three of the FAA's four-phase certification process, becoming the first eVTOL company to reach this milestone, which lays the groundwork for future aircraft testing and boosts investor confidence.
- Market Expansion Plans: Under the White House's eVTOL Integration Pilot Program, Archer aims to initiate operations in major states like New York, Texas, and Florida in the second half of 2026, showcasing the company's ambitious market aspirations despite the tight timeline.
- Financial Condition Overview: With a market cap of approximately $5 billion, Archer reported only $1.6 million in first-quarter revenue and a net loss of about $218 million, indicating significant financial strain and an urgent need for future funding given its quarterly cash burn of around $180 million.
- Future Challenges: Despite holding a patent for the Midnight aircraft, Archer faces the daunting task of establishing an air taxi network and necessary infrastructure, compounded by high operational costs and a lack of commercial revenue, leaving its future development fraught with uncertainty.
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- Poor Market Performance: Since going public in 2021, Archer Aviation's stock has declined approximately 38%, currently trading around $6, reflecting a 25% drop in 2026, indicating a lack of competitiveness in the market.
- Strong Partnerships: Archer has formed strategic alliances with notable companies, including United Airlines and Abu Dhabi Aviation, resulting in a $6 billion backlog; however, the company's path to commercialization remains challenging.
- Government Support for Development: Under the U.S. government's eVTOL Integration Pilot Program, Archer has the opportunity to conduct early test flights, which could accelerate its commercialization process, with air taxi services expected to launch in the latter half of 2026, potentially generating revenue.
- Significant Financial Pressure: Archer burns approximately $500 million to $700 million in cash annually, lacks a commercial license, and trails competitor Joby Aviation on the regulatory timeline, making its current $4.6 billion market cap a concern for investors.
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- Certification Milestone: Archer Aviation has completed 75% of the FAA certification process, becoming the first eVTOL manufacturer to finish the third phase, which positions the company favorably in the urban air mobility sector and may provide a first-mover advantage.
- Testing Compliance Plans: The FAA has approved Archer's Means of Compliance and specific testing plans, including safety tests for multi-engine redundancy and flight control software, which enhances market confidence in the aircraft's safety standards.
- Future Flight Initiatives: Archer plans to conduct limited early flight tests under the eVTOL Integration Pilot Program, expected to start as early as this year, providing valuable data for real-world applications and accelerating its commercialization efforts.
- Long-Term Investment Outlook: Although full Type Certification is anticipated by 2027 or 2028, Archer Aviation's market potential remains attractive to investors, necessitating patience and a focus on its long-term strategic development.
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- Significant Certification Progress: Archer Aviation has become the first eVTOL developer to complete Phase 3 of the FAA certification process, marking its leading position in the electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft sector, which is expected to provide a competitive market advantage.
- White House Program Participation: The company has been selected for the White House's eVTOL Integration Pilot Program, allowing it to conduct limited early flight tests with local government support, which will accelerate the practical application of this new mode of transportation.
- Final Certification Phase: Archer is set to enter the final phase of the Type Certification process, where it must demonstrate that its Midnight aircraft meets FAA airworthiness requirements through formal testing, and successful completion will lead to Type Inspection Authorization, further advancing its commercialization efforts.
- Long-Term Investment Potential: Although full certification is expected in 2027 or 2028, Archer Aviation faces challenges with cash burn and market competition, requiring investors to remain patient and focus on its long-term growth potential.
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