Rivian Automotive (NASDAQ:RIVN) Receives “Buy” Rating from Needham & Company LLC

Needham & Company LLC reiterated their buy rating on shares of Rivian Automotive (NASDAQ:RIVN) in a research report sent to investors on Friday morning,Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a $23.00 price target on the electric vehicle automaker’s stock.

Other analysts have also issued research reports about the stock. Morgan Stanley lifted their target price on shares of Rivian Automotive from $12.00 to $13.00 and gave the stock an “underweight” rating in a report on Tuesday, July 14th. Piper Sandler upgraded Rivian Automotive from a “neutral” rating to an “overweight” rating and raised their price target for the stock from $18.00 to $20.00 in a research report on Monday. Weiss Ratings upgraded Rivian Automotive from a “sell (e+)” rating to a “sell (d-)” rating in a research report on Monday, July 6th. BNP Paribas Exane lifted their price objective on Rivian Automotive from $22.00 to $24.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 8th. Finally, UBS Group increased their target price on Rivian Automotive from $16.00 to $17.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Thursday, July 9th. Thirteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have given a Hold rating and six have given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Rivian Automotive currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $18.95.

Rivian Automotive Stock Down 9.6%

Shares of NASDAQ:RIVN opened at $15.22 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.00, a current ratio of 2.10 and a quick ratio of 1.64. The stock has a market cap of $20.72 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -5.90 and a beta of 1.60. The company has a 50 day moving average of $16.58 and a 200-day moving average of $15.89. Rivian Automotive has a one year low of $11.57 and a one year high of $22.69.

Rivian Automotive (NASDAQ:RIVN) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 30th. The electric vehicle automaker reported ($0.55) earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.60) by $0.05. Rivian Automotive had a negative net margin of 54.96% and a negative return on equity of 75.57%. The business had revenue of $1.38 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.37 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted ($0.48) earnings per share. Rivian Automotive’s revenue was up 11.4% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Rivian Automotive will post -3.06 earnings per share for the current year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, CEO Robert J. Scaringe sold 34,818 shares of Rivian Automotive stock in a transaction on Thursday, May 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $15.00, for a total transaction of $522,270.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 922,286 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $13,834,290. This trade represents a 3.64% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, CFO Claire Mcdonough sold 8,023 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Friday, May 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $16.00, for a total transaction of $128,368.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer directly owned 887,007 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $14,192,112. This trade represents a 0.90% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 68,385 shares of company stock worth $1,125,094. Company insiders own 1.48% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Danske Bank A S increased its holdings in shares of Rivian Automotive by 36.8% in the fourth quarter. Danske Bank A S now owns 613,993 shares of the electric vehicle automaker’s stock worth $12,102,000 after acquiring an additional 165,300 shares in the last quarter. Trek Financial LLC bought a new position in shares of Rivian Automotive during the 4th quarter valued at about $6,115,000. Independent Financial Group LLC bought a new position in shares of Rivian Automotive during the 1st quarter valued at about $985,000. Swedbank AB grew its position in shares of Rivian Automotive by 8.6% in the 4th quarter. Swedbank AB now owns 941,304 shares of the electric vehicle automaker’s stock valued at $18,553,000 after purchasing an additional 74,322 shares during the period. Finally, Fjarde AP Fonden Fourth Swedish National Pension Fund increased its stake in Rivian Automotive by 34.9% during the 1st quarter. Fjarde AP Fonden Fourth Swedish National Pension Fund now owns 348,800 shares of the electric vehicle automaker’s stock worth $5,249,000 after purchasing an additional 90,200 shares in the last quarter. 66.25% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Trending Headlines about Rivian Automotive

Here are the key news stories impacting Rivian Automotive this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Rivian reported second-quarter revenue of $1.66 billion, up 27.2% year over year and above the approximately $1.52 billion analyst estimate. Its adjusted loss of $0.47 per share was narrower than the expected $0.65–$0.66 loss. Rivian beats quarterly revenue estimates as R2 launch, software business gain traction
• Positive Sentiment: The company began customer deliveries of its lower-priced R2 SUV, said demand and conversion rates are exceeding internal expectations, and maintained its 65,000-to-70,000-vehicle delivery target while raising aspects of its full-year outlook. Management views R2 as important to future volume and profitability.
• Positive Sentiment: Rivian reduced its 2026 spending plans, narrowed its expected annual loss, and highlighted growth in its software business, including benefits from its Volkswagen partnership. Rivian reduces 2026 spending plans, narrows earnings guidance
• Positive Sentiment: Needham reaffirmed a Buy rating with a $23 price target, while TD Cowen raised its target to $21 and kept a Buy rating. Elevated call-option activity also suggests increased speculative interest.
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyst opinion remains divided. Royal Bank of Canada raised its target to $16 with a Sector Perform rating, Wells Fargo lifted its target to $16 with Equal Weight, and Morgan Stanley raised its target to $14 while retaining an Underweight rating.
• Negative Sentiment: The earnings beat did not resolve concerns about automotive margins, cash usage, and Rivian’s continuing large losses. The company remains unprofitable, and management acknowledged that Chinese EV manufacturers have significant cost and capital advantages.
• Negative Sentiment: Investors appear to be taking profits or reassessing valuation after the results, with broader EV-sector weakness adding pressure. The market is likely demanding evidence that the R2 ramp can translate into sustainable margins rather than merely higher deliveries.

Rivian Automotive Company Profile

Rivian Automotive, Inc is an American automotive technology company specializing in the design, development and manufacture of electric vehicles. The company is best known for its all-electric R1 platform, which underpins the R1T pickup truck and R1S sport utility vehicle. In addition to consumer products, Rivian has secured a significant commercial contract to produce electric delivery vans for a leading e-commerce provider, underscoring its capability to serve both retail and fleet customers.

Founded in 2009 by engineer and entrepreneur Robert “RJ” Scaringe, Rivian has grown from a research-focused startup into a publicly traded corporation.