Rivian jumps as $5 bln Volkswagen investment signals 'vote of confidence'
Stock set for best day
Investment to also help Rivian's plans to develop future models
Analysts see deal as "red flag" for Aptiv's software business
Updates shares, market capitalization and adds stock milestones in paragraphs 1,6 and 12
By Akash Sriram
June 26 (Reuters) -Rivian Automotive RIVN.O surged about 36%on Wednesday after a $5 billion investment from Volkswagen offered the loss-making startup more firepower to roll out new models to attract consumers in a slowing electric-vehicle market.
The investment will also bolster Rivian's depleting cash reserves, move the startup closer to profitability and help it compete better in a market dominated by Tesla TSLA.O.
Under the deal, Rivian will form an equally controlled joint venture with Volkswagen VOWG_p.DE to share EV architecture and software that couldeventually be used by the German automaker's brands including Audi, Porsche PSHG_p.DE and Lamborghini.
More than 80 million Rivian shares exchanged hands in early trading, more than twice its 30-day average trading volume. The stock was also set for its best day on record ifgains hold. It is alsothe top trending stock on retail trader platform Stocktwits.
"It's a big vote of confidence in the EV maker's prospects," said Susannah Streeter, head of money and markets at Hargreaves Lansdown.
"Joining forces in this way may also help lower the cost-per-vehicle and bolster defences against the growing might of Chinese EV makers."
Shares of Lucid LCID.O also rose 3% as Citi analysts said the deal could spotlight the Saudi Arabia-backed luxury EV which has been open to licensing its technology and already has a tie-up with British automaker Aston Martin.
The increasing collaboration between EV makers and legacy automakers could, however, dent the businesses of companies such as Aptiv APTV.N that have for years provided the auto industry with third-party software and technology.
Aptiv shares were down nearly 10%, with Piper Sandler analysts saying the deal was a "red flag" for the company's strategy.
Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe told Reuters Volkswagen's investment would also provide the company the funding necessary to develop its less expensive Tesla Model Y-competitor R2 SUVs and its planned R3 crossovers.
"This is a core game changer for Rivian and changes the capital structure of the company looking ahead for the story and the Street's view at a key time," said Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives.
The company was set to add more than $4 billion to its market value of $12 billion. Its stock has lost nearly half its value this year after Rivian said in February it does not expect to produce more vehicles in 2024.
Still, D.A. Davidson analyst Michael Shlisky warned the funding could weigh on Rivian's share price as it was dilutive.
"We don't mean to throw cold water on the situation, but this funding isn't free, with $3 billion of dilutive equity investment over time, some of it at a discount to the current price," Shlisky said.
Rivian has also scrapped previous deals to make electric vehicles and commercial vans under separate joint ventures with Ford F.N in 2021 and Mercedes Benz MBGn.DE in 2022.
Rivian's shares have slumped in the past year https://reut.rs/3XzJZFv
Reporting by Akash Sriram in Bengaluru; Editing by Devika Syamnath
Ativos relacionados
Últimas notícias
Isenção de Responsabilidade: As entidades do XM Group proporcionam serviço de apenas-execução e acesso à nossa plataforma online de negociação, permitindo a visualização e/ou uso do conteúdo disponível no website ou através deste, o que não se destina a alterar ou a expandir o supracitado. Tal acesso e uso estão sempre sujeitos a: (i) Termos e Condições; (ii) Avisos de Risco; e (iii) Termos de Responsabilidade. Este, é desta forma, fornecido como informação generalizada. Particularmente, por favor esteja ciente que os conteúdos da nossa plataforma online de negociação não constituem solicitação ou oferta para iniciar qualquer transação nos mercados financeiros. Negociar em qualquer mercado financeiro envolve um nível de risco significativo de perda do capital.
Todo o material publicado na nossa plataforma de negociação online tem apenas objetivos educacionais/informativos e não contém — e não deve ser considerado conter — conselhos e recomendações financeiras, de negociação ou fiscalidade de investimentos, registo de preços de negociação, oferta e solicitação de transação em qualquer instrumento financeiro ou promoção financeira não solicitada direcionadas a si.
Qual conteúdo obtido por uma terceira parte, assim como o conteúdo preparado pela XM, tais como, opiniões, pesquisa, análises, preços, outra informação ou links para websites de terceiras partes contidos neste website são prestados "no estado em que se encontram", como um comentário de mercado generalizado e não constitui conselho de investimento. Na medida em que qualquer conteúdo é construído como pesquisa de investimento, deve considerar e aceitar que este não tem como objetivo e nem foi preparado de acordo com os requisitos legais concebidos para promover a independência da pesquisa de investimento, desta forma, deve ser considerado material de marketing sob as leis e regulações relevantes. Por favor, certifique-se que leu e compreendeu a nossa Notificação sobre Pesquisa de Investimento não-independente e o Aviso de Risco, relativos à informação supracitada, os quais podem ser acedidos aqui.
