Analysts Weigh In on Rivian's Q2 Performance and the Long Path to Profitability

Rivian's Journey to Profitability: Analysts' Insights on Q2 Performance

Rivian, the electric vehicle manufacturer, has been receiving positive reviews from analysts despite the anticipation of a lengthy journey towards profitability. The company reported a smaller quarterly loss than expected and has increased its production forecast for 2023.

Rivian's Promising Production Forecast

Rivian has raised its production expectations for this year to 52,000 vehicles, a significant increase from the initial estimate of 50,000. This upbeat forecast has resulted in a 2.1% rise in the company's stock during premarket trading. However, despite Rivian's promising trajectory, analysts foresee challenges that could potentially hinder the growth of the stock price.

Analysts' Perspectives on Rivian's Performance

Adam Jonas from Morgan Stanley noted that Rivian is successfully navigating through bottlenecks with operating leverage and lower write-downs. He suggested that investors are likely to concentrate on strengthening the company's $10 billion cash reserve and investigating opportunities for strategic partnerships. Despite reiterating his overweight rating on the stock, Jonas' price target suggests a 3% downside from Tuesday's closing price.

Neutral Ratings and Price Targets

Mark Delaney from Goldman Sachs maintains a neutral stance on Rivian. While he has raised his price target from $18 to $23, this still implies a downside of 7.3% over the next year. Delaney believes that Rivian is well-positioned among electric vehicle original equipment manufacturer (EV OEM) startups, but he remains neutral due to the long path to profitability and ongoing cash use. Similarly, JPMorgan's Ryan Brinkman is neutral on Rivian stock, with a price target of $19 per share, implying a roughly 23% downside. Brinkman noted that his firm's stance on Rivian remains unchanged, largely due to their consistent out-year estimates, which have already factored in an anticipated lower pricing environment for EVs in North America following recent dramatic price cuts by Tesla.

Positive Outlook from Bank of America

John Murphy from Bank of America offers a more optimistic perspective on the electric car maker. He reiterated a buy rating on Rivian stock with a $40 per share price target, which equates to about a 61% upside from Tuesday's close. Murphy added that liquidity seems to be less of a concern than previously thought for the company, which supports his higher estimates.

Future Gross Margin and Capex Projections

Murphy noted that Rivian continues to see a negative gross margin for the year, but he expects the gross margin to turn positive sometime in 2024 as volumes and capacity utilization continue to increase. He believes these projections may prove conservative, especially as capital expenditure (Capex) projections for 2023 have been reduced to $1.7 billion from the previous $2.0 billion.

Implications for New Businesses: A Hot Take

Rivian's Q2 performance and the subsequent analyst reviews provide valuable insights for new businesses, particularly in the electric vehicle sector. The company's ability to exceed production forecasts and reduce quarterly losses, despite the anticipated long path to profitability, is a testament to effective strategic planning and operational efficiency.

Lessons from Rivian's Performance

Rivian's experience underscores the importance of managing investor expectations. Despite the challenges, the company's focus on strengthening its cash reserves and exploring strategic partnerships has been well-received by analysts. This approach can serve as a blueprint for new businesses navigating similar growth stages.

Neutral Ratings: A Word of Caution

The neutral ratings from Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan highlight the importance of long-term profitability and sustainable cash use. New businesses must be aware that while initial performance can boost stock prices, long-term success is often determined by sustainable profitability.

Positive Outlook: A Sign of Potential

Bank of America's positive outlook on Rivian, backed by a strong buy rating, suggests that effective liquidity management can significantly support a company's growth trajectory. For new businesses, this underlines the importance of robust financial management.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Rivian's journey offers valuable lessons for new businesses. It emphasizes the importance of strategic planning, managing investor expectations, and maintaining financial health. Despite the challenges, Rivian's journey to profitability demonstrates the potential for success in the competitive electric vehicle market. Article First Published at: https://www.cnbc.com/2023/08/09/long-path-to-profitability-what-analysts-are-saying-about-rivn-q2-numbers.html Brought to you by ChatGPT for www.BusinessFormation.io