GM Stock Soars to Record High, Marking Its Strongest Year Since 2009 Bankruptcy

GM's stock just punched through the ceiling, hitting a price that makes its post-bankruptcy history look like a warm-up act.

The Comeback Kid's Victory Lap

Forget the slow and steady climb. This year's performance wasn't a recovery—it was a full-blown reinvention, leaving the ghosts of 2009 firmly in the rearview mirror. The numbers tell a story of relentless momentum, culminating in a peak that analysts are still scrambling to contextualize.

What's Fueling the Engine?

Market sentiment shifted from cautious optimism to outright fervor. The rally wasn't built on hope alone; it was driven by a series of strategic moves that finally convinced Wall Street the old dog had learned new tricks. Investors piled in, betting that the strongest year in over a decade was just the first chapter of a new era.

A Record That Speaks Volumes

That final, record-shattering close wasn't just a number on a screen. It was a statement—a benchmark that resets expectations and puts every other legacy automaker on notice. The achievement caps a year where every dip was bought and every milestone was surpassed, proving that even the most battered giants can find their footing and run.

So, while the suits celebrate with champagne and stock bonuses, remember: in finance, today's record high is just tomorrow's support level to break—or crash through.

Analyst upgrades, policy changes, and buybacks drive GM‘s rally

Analysts pointed to cash flow, steady earnings, and shareholder returns as reasons behind the move. Stock buybacks remained a major factor. Paul Jacobson, chief financial officer of General Motors, addressed that point earlier this month. “As long as the stock remains as undervalued as it is, the priority is to buy back shares,” Paul said during a UBS investor conference. “And I think you’ll continue to see that from us going forward.”

UBS raised its 12-month price target by 14% to $97 and named the company its top auto pick heading into 2026. Morgan Stanley upgraded the stock to overweight with a $90 price target. Andrew Percoco, an analyst at Morgan Stanley, said in a Dec. 7 investor note that the company leads peers in unit sales growth, average transaction price growth, disciplined incentive spending, and inventory control. He said those factors produced stronger margins and return metrics than rivals.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump’s administration loosened U.S. fuel economy and emissions rules, removed penalties set under the prior administration, and renegotiated a trade agreement with South Korea, a major manufacturing base for the company. At the same time, the auto industry faced slower growth in lower-margin electric vehicle sales. Joseph Spak, an analyst at UBS, said in a Dec. 15 investor note that the automaker is positioned to benefit from a relaxed U.S. regulatory setup tied to emissions and fuel economy rules.

By press time, analyst averages compiled by FactSet have rated the stock overweight with an $80.86 target price, placing it among the most closely watched stock market trades heading into 2026.

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