Wednesday’s trading session showcased a tale of two markets as earnings season delivered both triumphs and warnings. While electric vehicle maker Rivian and software developer Unity Software surged on better-than-expected quarterly results, healthcare giant Humana faced significant pressure after flagging concerning medical cost trends that could impact profitability.
about Rivian Beats Q3 Earnings, Humana Warns on Costs
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Rivian Lays Off 600 Workers Amid EV Market Slump
Rivian Automotive Inc. is laying off 600 employees in a desperate bid to preserve cash as the electric vehicle market faces a severe downturn. The struggling NASDAQ-listed company, once hailed as a Tesla challenger, now battles collapsing sales, intense competition, and a stock price that has plummeted 90% over five years. CEO R.J. Scaringe described the workforce reduction as a difficult but necessary move for survival, though Wall Street remains skeptical about the company’s ability to secure more than a tiny share of the U.S. EV market.
about Rivian Lays Off 600 Workers Amid EV Market SlumpMarket Minute: Oil Rises on Russia Sanctions, Rivian Cuts Jobs
Financial markets faced a triple dose of negative developments as oil prices surged following President Trump’s sanctions against Russian producers, electric vehicle maker Rivian announced major workforce reductions, and the administration clarified it’s not pursuing quantum computing investments. These simultaneous events created a tense trading environment marked by geopolitical tensions and corporate restructuring, highlighting the interconnected nature of global markets and policy decisions.
about Market Minute: Oil Rises on Russia Sanctions, Rivian Cuts JobsStock Splits: Bullish Signals vs. Distress Signs
Stock splits generate investor excitement but reveal little about a company’s underlying health. While forward splits often signal growth and confidence, reverse splits typically indicate distress despite occasional turnaround stories. Understanding the difference can separate winning investments from risky bets, as demonstrated by the contrasting cases of Palo Alto Networks and Lucid Group.
about Stock Splits: Bullish Signals vs. Distress SignsWall Street Extends Rally on AI Deals, Fed Weighs In
Wall Street’s bull run continues unabated, marking a sixth consecutive day of gains as artificial intelligence dealmaking fuels investor optimism across major indices. The sustained rally comes alongside Federal Reserve commentary during an ongoing government shutdown, while corporate developments at Rivian and labor market insights from Snap-On create a complex backdrop for market participants navigating this technology-driven surge.
about Wall Street Extends Rally on AI Deals, Fed Weighs InRivian’s Survival in Jeopardy as EV Market Craters
Rivian Automotive Inc. faces an existential crisis as the electric vehicle market deteriorates, with the company’s repeated downward revisions in sales forecasts and the elimination of critical tax credits threatening its viability. Mounting losses, delayed product launches, and intense competition from industry giants like Tesla, Ford, and GM have pushed Rivian’s future as a public company to the brink, with its market capitalization collapsing from over $100 billion to just $16 billion since its 2021 IPO.
about Rivian's Survival in Jeopardy as EV Market CratersLucid’s Cash Burn Crisis: EV Maker Faces 2026 Funding Cliff
Lucid Motors is hurtling toward a financial precipice, with interim CEO Marc Winterhoff confirming the electric vehicle startup will exhaust its current cash reserves by the second half of 2026. The company’s staggering burn rate—$855 million in net losses last quarter on just $259 million in revenue—paints a dire picture for a firm struggling to find traction in an increasingly crowded EV market. With Tesla dominating nearly half of U.S. sales and legacy automakers accelerating their electric offerings, Lucid’s high-price strategy and bet on autonomous driving technology face monumental challenges as the clock ticks down on its funding.
about Lucid's Cash Burn Crisis: EV Maker Faces 2026 Funding Cliff7 Automotive Stocks to Watch Today: MarketBeat Picks
MarketBeat’s stock screener has identified seven key automotive stocks for investors to monitor today, spanning electric vehicle manufacturers, parts suppliers, and AI-driven automotive technology companies. The selection—including SoundHound AI, Rivian Automotive, AutoZone, O’Reilly Automotive, Monolithic Power Systems, Upstart, and Ouster—highlights diverse opportunities within the evolving automotive sector as the industry expands beyond traditional automakers to include EV manufacturers and AI-driven solutions.
about 7 Automotive Stocks to Watch Today: MarketBeat PicksRivian Recall Threatens EV Maker’s Turnaround
Just as Rivian Automotive Inc. was building momentum with a major new plant announcement and a strategic partnership, a federal safety investigation into seat belt defects in over 17,000 of its electric vans has thrown a wrench into its delicate recovery plans. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s probe, prompted by reports of cables fraying or breaking, introduces a significant reputational risk for the EV startup, which continues to burn billions of dollars while struggling to scale production and achieve profitability.
about Rivian Recall Threatens EV Maker's TurnaroundRivian Stock Surge Defies EV Market Headwinds
Rivian Automotive Inc. (NASDAQ: RIVN) is presenting Wall Street with a puzzling contradiction: a 19% stock surge over the past month despite facing what should be crippling headwinds. As the electric vehicle maker approaches the expiration of the crucial $7,500 federal tax credit at month’s end and battles intensifying competition, its recent performance defies conventional market logic. This unexpected rally has left analysts searching for explanations behind a move that appears to fly in the face of the company’s fundamental challenges.
about Rivian Stock Surge Defies EV Market HeadwindsJPMorgan Turns Bearish on Tech, Restaurant Stocks Amid Record Highs
JPMorgan Chase analysts are turning bearish on major tech and restaurant stocks, citing overvaluation risks as the S&P 500 hits record highs. Tesla (TSLA) faces criticism for its ‘sky-high valuation’ and potential earnings decline due to reduced EV subsidies. Rivian (RIVN) is also flagged for balance sheet challenges amid subsidy cuts and tariffs. Circle (CRCL), Snapchat (SNAP), and Bumble (BMBL) are highlighted as overvalued, with Snapchat struggling with ad spending volatility and Bumble facing a tough dating app market. Other stocks like Cheesecake Factory (CAKE), Intel (INTC), and Shake Shack (SHAK) are also seen as correction candidates. The S&P 500 closed at a record 6,286 points, raising concerns about market sustainability.
about JPMorgan Turns Bearish on Tech, Restaurant Stocks Amid Record HighsMarket Highlights for the Week: Earnings Reports and Economic Data
Markets are closed Monday for Presidents Day, with key earnings reports from Walmart, Alibaba, Baidu, Carvana, and Rivian scheduled throughout the week. Investors will also focus on the release of January’s Federal Reserve meeting minutes, housing data, and consumer sentiment indicators. Notable Fed officials are set to speak, providing insights into future monetary policy.
about Market Highlights for the Week: Earnings Reports and Economic Data