Latest news with #eVTOL
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Vertical Aerospace's First eVTOL Prototype Flight Is a Success
Vertical Aerospace has taken a major step toward commercializing its VX4 winged eVTOL, or electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft. Last Thursday, the electric aviation startup's prototype performed its first wingborne flight with approval from the UK Civil Aviation Authority, making the VX4 the first winged eVTOL to have flown through open European airspace. Vertical's chief test pilot, Simon Davies, lifted the prototype from Cotswold Airport and navigated it through a brief climb before cruising around the vicinity at an altitude of 2,000 feet. According to Aviation International News, the VX4 reached a maximum speed of 120 knots (138 miles per hour). As the prototype flew, on-ground engineers captured more than 30,000 in-flight data parameters related to stability, control, and energy consumption. Once the VX4 touched down again, Vertical confirmed the aircraft had flown "as expected." "In Phase 3 of testing—wingborne flight—the VX4 operates like a conventional aircraft using lift generated by its wings, rather than relying solely on rotor thrust," Vertical said. "This low-power, quiet, and range-efficient mode of flight is key to making electric air travel practical, scalable, and economically viable." Before Thursday, Vertical had conducted two other flight tests. The first, which took place in September 2024, involved VX4 hovering while loosely tethered to the ground. In February 2025, the prototype took off and landed vertically via its propellers, performing low-speed flight maneuvers in between. Now Vertical is preparing for its final test, dubbed the "transition" phase. Before the end of the year, the VX4 will transition between thrustborne and wingborne flight and back again. This is considered the last major flight milestone before certification for commercial flights. The startup hopes to achieve this step by 2030. Should Vertical—or any other eVTOL brand, for that matter—introduce commercial flights to a metropolitan region such as London, the flights could reduce conventional air travel and even longer road trips. In 2023, United Airlines announced that it would introduce an "air taxi route" to the Chicago region in 2025, using Archer Aviation's "Midnight" eVTOL. Though there hasn't been a major update regarding the route since then, Archer's website says it is currently working through Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification processes that will bring its air taxi to Los Angeles, San Francisco, and other major cities.
Entrepreneur
a day ago
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Archer Aviation Stock Steadies After Short-Seller Report
Archer Aviation's stock shows resilience after a short-seller report, as investors shift to the upcoming milestones and flight demonstrations for validation. This story originally appeared on MarketBeat [content-module:CompanyOverview|NYSE:ACHR] Archer Aviation (NYSE: ACHR) recently found itself in the spotlight after a critical report from short-seller Culper Research on May 20th caused its stock to dip. However, in the days since, Archer's shares have shown signs of stabilizing. At midday on May 29, 2025, the stock price was approximately $10.66. Acher Aviation's stock activity, since the report suggests the market might be looking past the initial shock. Now, investor attention is sharply focused on Archer's upcoming operational milestones. Can the company deliver the flight demonstrations needed to fully counter the short-seller's claims and propel the stock forward? How Did Archer Stock Respond to Short Seller Claims? Culper Research's report on May 20 didn't pull any punches. It accused Archer Aviation of misleading investors about its progress. Key allegations included questions about testing timelines for its Midnight eVTOL aircraft and the validity of a key flight milestone in June 2024. Archer quickly responded, calling the claims "baseless" and questioning Culper's credibility as a research firm. What happened to the stock? Initial Drop: Archer's stock price fell sharply right after the report, by as much as 12-14% during trading on May 20 and 21. Archer's stock price fell sharply right after the report, by as much as 12-14% during trading on May 20 and 21. Finding a Floor: Over the following days, up to May 29, the stock price showed signs of stabilizing. It even saw some upward movement on May 27 and 28, closing at $10.93 and $10.95, respectively. Over the following days, up to May 29, the stock price showed signs of stabilizing. It even saw some upward movement on May 27 and 28, closing at $10.93 and $10.95, respectively. Market Interpretation: This stabilization might mean a couple of things. First, the market quickly priced in the short-seller's arguments. Second, without new, equally damaging information from Culper immediately following up, some investors may be taking a "wait and see" approach. They might be looking for Archer to prove its case through actions, not just words. Recent financial news has highlighted the ongoing dispute between the two organizations, presenting both perspectives. This media coverage has likely confused most investors, further stalling Archer's stock price progress as the market awaits a resolution. What Archer's Institutional Filings Reveal While daily stock prices can be volatile, looking at who owns a company can offer a different perspective. Reports from large institutional investors (like pension funds and investment firms) about their holdings at the end of the fourth quarter of 2024 continued to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) during the past few weeks. These filings continue to show that many major institutions were increasing their investments in Archer before the short report surfaced. This kind of activity from large, sophisticated investors often suggests they've done their homework and believe in a company's long-term plans. This implies that they saw fundamental value in Archer leading into 2025. Archer's strong Q1 2025 financial results, reported on May 12, also provide a solid foundation. The company announced an earnings per share (EPS) that beat analyst expectations and confirmed its cash position exceeded $1 billion. This financial health is crucial for a company still developing its core product. Archer's Next Demonstrations Are Critical The most effective way for Archer to answer the short-seller's claims is through clear, verifiable progress. Investor attention is now firmly fixed on the company's ability to deliver on its stated operational targets. Key upcoming milestones include: UAE Deployment: Archer plans to deliver its first piloted Midnight aircraft to the United Arab Emirates this summer (2025). The goal is to start generating revenue there later in the year through its "Launch Edition" program with partners like Abu Dhabi Aviation. Archer plans to deliver its first piloted Midnight aircraft to the United Arab Emirates this summer (2025). The goal is to start generating revenue there later in the year through its "Launch Edition" program with partners like Abu Dhabi Aviation. Manufacturing Goals: The company aims to build up to ten Midnight aircraft at its Georgia facility in 2025. Hitting this target would demonstrate its ability to scale production. The company aims to build up to ten Midnight aircraft at its Georgia facility in 2025. Hitting this target would demonstrate its ability to scale production. FAA Certification: Continued progress towards getting full Type Certification from the Federal Aviation Administration for its Midnight aircraft in the U.S. (targeted for late 2025) remains a top priority. Continued progress towards getting full Type Certification from the Federal Aviation Administration for its Midnight aircraft in the U.S. (targeted for late 2025) remains a top priority. New Initiatives: Updates on the UK cargo eVTOL testing program with Anduril UK could also show operational capability in new areas. The successful execution of these milestones, particularly visible flight demonstrations leading to early commercial operations, would directly counter many of the short-seller's core allegations regarding aircraft readiness and testing progress. As the saying goes, actions speak louder than words. Holding Pattern or Launchpad? Archer's Next Moves Will Tell [content-module:Forecast|NYSE:ACHR] Archer Aviation's stock is in a period of consolidation after the initial impact of the Culper Research report. The market has heard the allegations and the company's defense. Now, it seems to be waiting for Archer to deliver concrete proof of its capabilities through upcoming operational validation. If Archer successfully executes its flight demonstrations, meets its UAE deployment timelines, and continues to progress with manufacturing and certification, the questions raised by the short report will likely become less significant for many investors. For those who believe in Archer's technology and the future of the eVTOL sector, this holding pattern could be an excellent period to accumulate shares before the company's next set of crucial operational catalysts. Before you make your next trade, you'll want to hear this. MarketBeat keeps track of Wall Street's top-rated and best performing research analysts and the stocks they recommend to their clients on a daily basis. Our team has identified the five stocks that top analysts are quietly whispering to their clients to buy now before the broader market catches on... and none of the big name stocks were on the list. They believe these five stocks are the five best companies for investors to buy now... See The Five Stocks Here
Yahoo
a day ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Joby Aviation, Inc. (JOBY) Soars Almost 29% After Securing $250 Million Investment from Toyota
Joby Aviation, Inc. (NYSE:JOBY) stock surged significantly on Wednesday after the electric air taxi developer announced it had received a $250 million investment from Toyota. This funding is part of a previously disclosed $500 million commitment from the automaker, aimed at helping Joby Aviation, Inc. (NYSE:JOBY) move closer to certification and large-scale production of its electric air taxis. Toyota initially revealed the investment plan in October. Joby specializes in electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, or eVTOLs, which operate similarly to helicopters. The technology is designed to help ease urban traffic and lower emissions. The new funding adds to Toyota's earlier $394 million investment in Joby during a Series C funding round in 2020. Toyota North America CEO Tetsuo Ogawa joined Joby's board in July 2023, and the company has had a Toyota representative on its board since 2020. CEO and founder of Joby Aviation, Inc. (NYSE:JOBY), JoeBen Bevirt, made the following comment in the release: 'We're already seeing the benefit of working with Toyota in streamlining manufacturing processes and optimizing design. This is an important next step in our alliance with Toyota to scale the promise of electric flight.' Joby Aviation, Inc. (NYSE:JOBY) closed nearly 29% higher on May 28. While we acknowledge the potential of JOBY to grow, 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 AI stock that is more promising than JOBY and that has 100x upside potential, check out our report about this cheapest AI stock. READ MORE: and Disclosure. None. Sign in to access your portfolio
Entrepreneur
3 days ago
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Toyota Supercharges Joby: $250M Capital Infusion Ignites Stock
This story originally appeared on MarketBeat [content-module:CompanyOverview|NYSE:JOBY] Joby Aviation (NYSE: JOBY) saw its stock price climb sharply on May 28, 2025. This surge followed a major announcement that has clearly excited investors about the electric air taxi developer's future. The company confirmed it has received the first $250 million part of a larger investment from automotive leader Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE: TM). This significant funding immediately boosted market confidence, and Joby's shares jumped over 27% to trade around $8.78 during the day. Trading volume was also exceptionally high, with about 67.41 million shares changing hands, far above its average of roughly 12.31 million. The enthusiastic market response underscores the significance of the strengthened partnership with Toyota in Joby's plan to launch its innovative eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) aircraft. Why Toyota's $250M is a Game-Changer for Joby This $250 million capital injection puts cash in the bank for Joby Aviation, marking a crucial deepening of its strategic partnership with Toyota. This payment marks the first installment of a previously announced $500 million total investment from the automotive giant, underscoring its ongoing and strong support. The money is specifically aimed at two vital areas for Joby: completing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification for its aircraft and preparing for large-scale commercial production. Both steps are expensive and essential for Joby to start its air taxi service. A Partner's Conviction: Toyota Now Joby's Leading Shareholder [content-module:Forecast|NYSE:JOBY] Beyond providing capital, Toyota has also significantly increased its ownership stake in Joby Aviation as part of this $250 million investment. A director representing Toyota Motor Corporation purchased approximately 49.7 million shares of Joby Aviation stock. These shares were bought at an average price of $5.03 each. This large purchase solidifies Toyota as Joby Aviation's top shareholder. After this transaction, Toyota's total holding in Joby increased by 68.20%, now totaling 122.57 million shares. Toyota's increased investment, ownership, and significant industry expertise and board representation strongly signal market confidence in Joby and its future. Investors can also view this as a powerful insider endorsement. It suggests Toyota strongly believes in Joby's technology, management team, and long-term potential for success. This level of commitment from a global manufacturing leader like Toyota directly strengthens the investment case for Joby, providing a degree of validation that exceeds typical market speculation. Volume and Options Activity Underscore Enthusiasm [content-module:TradingView|NYSE:JOBY] The market's reaction to Toyota's investment was strong and clear. Besides the immediate stock price jump to around $8.78, trading volume was exceptionally high. Over 70 million shares were traded by midday on the day of the announcement, nearly six times Joby's recent average volume. This high volume shows that many investors were actively engaging with the stock following the news. Further highlighting bullish sentiment, there was unusual activity in the options market. The volume of call options increased by approximately 638% compared to normal levels. This suggests that some traders are making speculative bets on Joby's increasing stock price. It is also important to note that after this surge, the company's stock price moved above the average analyst price target of $8.67 that was in place before this Toyota funding news. Analysts often review their financial models and issue updated price targets when a company announces such a significant positive development. This reassessment often leads to the issuance of revised price targets that reflect the potential impact of the new information on the company's future performance and prospects. The Toyota funding news represents a material event that is likely to prompt a widespread review and potential upward adjustment of analyst expectations for Joby Aviation. What Toyota's Backing Means for Joby's Future Toyota's $250 million investment tranche marks a significant milestone for Joby Aviation, providing crucial capital and strengthening a strategic alliance with a manufacturing leader. This partnership is essential for Joby's efforts to scale the production of its electric air taxis. This development significantly reduces the risks associated withalization plans for investor Joby's commercis, as reflected in the positive stock market response. Bolstered by this financial support and a closer manufacturing relationship with Toyota, Joby Aviation is in a stronger position to execute its commercialization strategy and pursue a leading role in the developing urban air mobility sector. Before you make your next trade, you'll want to hear this. MarketBeat keeps track of Wall Street's top-rated and best performing research analysts and the stocks they recommend to their clients on a daily basis. Our team has identified the five stocks that top analysts are quietly whispering to their clients to buy now before the broader market catches on... and none of the big name stocks were on the list. They believe these five stocks are the five best companies for investors to buy now... See The Five Stocks Here
Bloomberg
4 days ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Stock Movers: US Steel Surges .. Again, PDD Tumbles, Vertical Aerospace Soars
Listen for comprehensive cross-platform coverage of the US market close as heard on Bloomberg Television, Bloomberg Radio, and YouTube with Romaine Bostick, Alix Steel, Carol Massar and Tim Stenovec. On this episode of Stock Movers: -- US Steel (X) is coming off its surge on Friday after President Trump said the US would have control over the company as part of its partnership with Nippon Steel. US Steel is backing the president's move and reaffirming its commitment to the Nippon Partnership -- (PDD) Shares of Temu owner PDD Holdings Inc. plunged in US trading after its quarterly sales and profit missed estimates, underscoring how trade tensions between Beijing and Washington are taking a toll on its business. Revenue for the March quarter was 95.7 billion yuan ($13.3 billion), falling short of the average analyst estimate of 101.6 billion yuan. Net income totaled 14.7 billion yuan, while analysts had expected 25.7 billion yuan. PDD's US depositary receipts tumbled in New York on Tuesday after markets opened. --Vertical Aerospace (EVTL) shares rise as much as 6.9% after the aerospace and technology company says it has made 'European aviation history with the first-ever' piloted flight of a winged electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in open airspace.
