Rivian Shares Slide 7% After UBS Downgrade; R2 Launch in Focus
Rivian Automotive's stock tumbled 7% to $17.50 following a UBS downgrade to Sell, with analysts warning that Optimism around its R2 SUV and autonomous driving capabilities may be premature. The bank projects 2026 R2 deliveries at just 10,600 units—below consensus—and pushed back timelines for full self-driving features to late 2026.
Higher production costs and regulatory hurdles compound pressure on Rivian's margins. Investors now await the February 12 earnings report for clarity on commercial expansion and strategic hires aimed at stabilizing the R2 rollout.
Market sentiment mirrors the volatility of speculative crypto assets, where HYPE often outpaces execution. As one trader quipped: 'EV stocks are the altcoins of Wall Street—narrative-driven until the rubber meets the road.'
