Latest news with #ChrisPierce
Business Insider
13-08-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Archer Aviation (ACHR) Lands Fresh Buy Ratings and Price Targets Up to $18 after Earnings Call
Archer Aviation (ACHR) just got a fresh wave of love from Wall Street. Following its latest earnings call, four different firms reaffirmed their Buy ratings, each for their own reasons, but all pointing to the same bottom line: Archer looks well-positioned for growth. Elevate Your Investing Strategy: Take advantage of TipRanks Premium at 50% off! Unlock powerful investing tools, advanced data, and expert analyst insights to help you invest with confidence. What the Street's Saying To kick things off, Benchmark's Josh Sullivan kept a $12.00 target and zeroed in on the company's progress toward FAA eVTOL certification. While the regulatory framework is still taking shape, events on the horizon, like the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, and recent executive orders could help speed up the process. Archer, notably, is the exclusive air taxi provider for those Games, giving it a unique edge. On top of that, its push into defense tech via acquisitions opens up new revenue streams. With $1.7 billion in cash on hand, the company has the resources to chase these big goals. Over at Needham, Chris Pierce bumped the price target to $13.00, with a focus more on the road to commercialization. He noted that Archer not only stuck to its production guidance – something many doubted – but also moved its UAE program from the planning stage to actual flight testing. Manufacturing is ramping up at two sites, and a pilot program backed by the White House sets a clear path for U.S. testing by 2026. He also sees Archer's OEM model as a faster-growth play compared to peers focused solely on air taxi services. H.C. Wainwright's Amit Dayal came out the most bullish, slapping on that $18.00 target. He pointed out that even though Archer reported no revenue this quarter, it continues to clear major milestones: progress toward certification, prepping its first Launch Edition deliveries, and positioning itself for regulatory tailwinds from the Olympics. Dayal also flagged the company's defense strategy, including work on hybrid-electric aircraft, as another key growth lever. All told, analysts agree Archer has the funding, partnerships, and momentum to make its ambitious plans work. Still, they caution that execution risk is real given the aggressive timeline. Is Archer Aviation Stock a Good Buy? Despite the stock's speculative nature, Wall Street analysts remain optimistic about the company. Based on six recent ratings, Archer Aviation boasts a 'Moderate Buy' consensus with an average 12-month price target of $11.92. This implies a 20.83% upside from the current price.
Business Insider
13-08-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
‘Position Yourself for What's Next,' Says Needham About Archer Aviation Stock
Archer Aviation (NYSE:ACHR) stock has been a beneficiary of the excitement around eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) aircraft – essentially flying taxis – surging 169% over the past year. Elevate Your Investing Strategy: Take advantage of TipRanks Premium at 50% off! Unlock powerful investing tools, advanced data, and expert analyst insights to help you invest with confidence. That momentum set the stage for heightened expectations going into Monday's Q2 report. While still in the pre-revenue phase, Archer's numbers gave investors other yardsticks to measure progress – and here, the company posted a larger loss than a year earlier, with a Q2 operating loss of roughly $176 million, compared to analyst expectations for a $132 million loss. Even so, that shortfall did little to dampen Needham analyst Chris Pierce's optimism. 'We reiterate our Buy rating and $13 price target post Q2 results and commentary as ACHR advances toward commercialization, reiterating production guidance that was largely viewed as off the table,' Pierce said, implying the shares will surge 27% from current levels. (To watch Pierce's track record, click here) Pierce's bullishness rests on more than just guidance. The UAE launch program has shifted from planning to active execution, with Archer delivering its first Midnight aircraft to Abu Dhabi, beginning unmanned flight testing alongside the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority, and initiating pilot and maintenance training with Etihad Aviation Training. Management expects the first commercial payments later this year as milestones are reached, laying the groundwork for one of ACHR's first tangible revenue streams. These international strides come alongside a rapid production ramp, effectively reaffirming the Q2 shareholder letter guidance. Backing this expansion is a record $1.7 billion in cash at quarter's end, boosted by $850 million from a registered direct offering. Pierce argues this 'ample financial capacity' gives Archer room to push forward on commercial, international, and defense initiatives without the immediate need for more capital. In his view, it also positions ACHR as a likely long-term winner as eVTOL adoption scales. Still, even bullish analysts acknowledge potential turbulence ahead. The company's accelerated U.S. launch plans bring significant execution risk, with the 2026 target hinging on factors beyond Archer's control, from securing vertiport infrastructure to ensuring supply chain readiness. Any delays could push the debut closer to the original 2028 Olympics timeline, muting near-term commercialization hopes. As for the broader Street, ACHR stock draws 3 more Buys and 2 Holds, giving it a Moderate Buy consensus. With an average target of $11.92, analysts see shares climbing 25% over the next year. (See ACHR stock forecast) To find good ideas for stocks trading at attractive valuations, visit TipRanks' Best Stocks to Buy, a tool that unites all of TipRanks' equity insights.
Yahoo
10-08-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Needham Doubles Solid Power (SLDP) Price Target, Cites EV Battery Progress
Solid Power, Inc. (NASDAQ:SLDP) is one of the best battery tech stocks to buy right now. On August 7, Needham gave a Buy rating to Solid Power, Inc. (NASDAQ:SLDP). The firm also raised its price target for the stock from $2 to $4. Analyst Chris Pierce shared this update and explained the reasons behind the decision. He believes Solid Power is well-positioned within the solid-state battery industry, which could lead to future growth. A lithium battery recharging a fleet of electric vehicles in a parking lot. According to Pierce, the company has made progress in its technology and has built important partnerships. In the past few months, Solid Power has taken important steps to move its technology forward. The company began shipping its first EV cells to automotive partners for testing. This is a key milestone that could help show how well the batteries work in real-world conditions. Solid Power also expanded its pilot production line to improve its ability to make more solid-state cells. In addition to technical work, the company signed agreements with major carmakers, including BMW and Ford, to support battery development. These partnerships may help Solid Power gain more attention and resources. The company is also focused on improving safety and energy performance compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries. Solid Power develops solid-state batteries, aiming to create safer, longer-lasting, and more energy-dense alternatives to lithium-ion batteries. While we acknowledge the potential of SLDP as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an extremely cheap AI stock that is also a major beneficiary of Trump tariffs and onshoring, see our free report on the . READ NEXT: 12 Best Performing AI Stocks So Far in 2025 and 10 Best Military Tech Stocks to Buy Now Disclosure: None.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Archer Aviation's Defense Push, Piloted Flight To Boost Stock: Analysts
Archer Aviation Inc. (NASDAQ:ACHR) shares are surging on Tuesday following the company's better-than-expected first-quarter results, which were reported on Monday. The company reported a loss of 17 cents per share, beating analyst estimates of 28 cents loss per share. Needham analyst Chris Pierce reiterated a Buy rating and maintained a price forecast of $13 post Q1 results. The analyst notes that the company is making steady progress across several areas. A piloted flight is expected soon, and preparations for its first commercial launch in the UAE are underway. The company is benefiting from favorable regulatory developments, strategic partnerships, and early customer interest – all of which point to strong global demand and promising long-term potential, the analyst adds that while near-term revenue visibility is limited due to modest initial deployments dependent on local partners and regulators, the company's long-term outlook remains positive; ACHR's aircraft offers advantages over existing options in a supply-constrained market. The analyst revised 2025 EBITDA estimates to $460 million from $418 million. HC Wainwright & Co. analyst Amit Dayal also reiterated a Buy rating and maintained a price forecast of $12.50. The analyst writes that, as expected, the company did not generate any quarterly revenues. The analyst notes that management reported that ground, transition, and technical tests are complete, with piloted flights expected to begin within days. The analyst believes this progress is crucial for delivering at least one aircraft to the UAE this summer for regional testing. Dayal anticipates that advancements in Archer's aviation software initiatives with Palantir Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:PLTR) will unlock new revenue streams that have not yet been included in their forecasts. The analyst also believes regulatory support for the eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) market remains strong. By 2030 and beyond, the analyst projects Archer's consistent annual eVTOL manufacturing to exceed 300 units per year, reaching a cumulative production of over 3,000 eVTOLs between 2034 and 2036. Dayal estimates revenue of around $18 million in 2025, over $42 million in 2026, and around $1 billion by 2028. JP Morgan analyst Bill Peterson maintained a Neutral rating with a price forecast of $9. This rating reflects a cautious stance due to uncertainties surrounding FAA certification timelines and the challenges facing the eVTOL industry. The analyst highlighted key earnings takeaways: an imminent piloted flight, increased defense investment, a growing hybrid/defense strategy, and a balanced production ramp-up. Given FAA certification delays, strong government support for defense, and uncertain consumer adoption, Peterson expects Archer to focus more on the defense sector. With multiple aircraft in assembly in California and Georgia, the analyst forecasts low production volumes through 2026, followed by a modest ramp-up from 2027 as efficiency improves. Price Action: ACHR shares are up 21.2% to $11.00 at the last check on Tuesday. Image via Shutterstock Date Firm Action From To Nov 2021 Cantor Fitzgerald Initiates Coverage On Overweight View More Analyst Ratings for ACHR View the Latest Analyst Ratings Up Next: Transform your trading with Benzinga Edge's one-of-a-kind market trade ideas and tools. Click now to access unique insights that can set you ahead in today's competitive market. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? This article Archer Aviation's Defense Push, Piloted Flight To Boost Stock: Analysts originally appeared on © 2025 Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Business Insider
07-05-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Analysts Conflicted on These Consumer Cyclical Names: EVgo (EVGO) and Portillo's (PTLO)
Analysts have been eager to weigh in on the Consumer Cyclical sector with new ratings on EVgo (EVGO – Research Report) and Portillo's (PTLO – Research Report). Protect Your Portfolio Against Market Uncertainty Discover companies with rock-solid fundamentals in TipRanks' Smart Value Newsletter. Receive undervalued stocks, resilient to market uncertainty, delivered straight to your inbox. EVgo (EVGO) In a report released today, Chris Pierce from Needham reiterated a Hold rating on EVgo. The company's shares closed last Tuesday at $3.67. According to Pierce is ranked 0 out of 5 stars with an average return of -15.5% and a 34.7% success rate. Pierce covers the NA sector, focusing on stocks such as ChargePoint Holdings, Rivian Automotive, and Sonic Automotive. EVgo has an analyst consensus of Strong Buy, with a price target consensus of $6.63. Portillo's (PTLO) Stifel Nicolaus analyst Chris O`Cull maintained a Buy rating on Portillo's today and set a price target of $17.00. The company's shares closed last Tuesday at $10.47. According to O`Cull is a 5-star analyst with an average return of 13.4% and a 57.1% success rate. O`Cull covers the NA sector, focusing on stocks such as Restaurant Brands International, First Watch Restaurant Group, and Papa John's International. Currently, the analyst consensus on Portillo's is a Moderate Buy with an average price target of $14.60, which is a 47.8% upside from current levels. In a report released today, William Blair also reiterated a Buy rating on the stock.
