Rivian Automotive, Inc. (RIVN)

As macro headwinds and a software sell-off raise challenges against Wall Street, Aquiles Larrea, Jr. sees investors setting the stage for a rebound. With today's Big 3, Aquiles sees opportunity in Microsoft's (MSFT) pullback, Caterpillar's (CAT) long-term ties to the AI picture, and Rivian's (RIVN) potential to capitalize on an expanding EV industry.

Rivian expects a sharp rise in EV deliveries this year. It will deploy its third-generation autonomy platform on the R2 later this year.

Rivian shares shot higher on strong delivery guidance. While 2026 will be a transitional year with the launch of the R2, it sets the stage for a strong 2027.

Rivian Automotive (RIVN) has been one of the stocks most watched by Zacks.com users lately. So, it is worth exploring what lies ahead for the stock.

Rivian Automotive, Inc. (NASDAQ: RIVN - Get Free Report) shares traded down 3.5% during mid-day trading on Thursday after an insider sold shares in the company. The stock traded as low as $15.07 and last traded at $15.59. 28,548,951 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 14% from the average session volume of 33,041,445 shares.

Rivian Automotive (NASDAQ: RIVN) stock jumped more than 20% in Friday's trading. The company's Q4 earnings topped Street estimates on both the top and bottom lines, and its 2026 delivery guidance of 62,000 to 67,000 vehicles — representing a 47% to 59% increase over 2025 — came in well above expectations, driven by the upcoming R2 launch.

The EV industry is still very uncertain right now, with tariffs and a shifting regulatory environment. Deliveries of Rivian's R2 will begin soon, and could be a catalyst for the company and its stock price.

Rivian stock has outperformed its much larger competitor, Tesla, in the past year. The company is about to launch the R2, a mass market SUV at a more affordable price.

Rivian is hoping to break into the mass market for electric vehicles in 2026.

Rivian's revenue rose by 8% in 2025. The midpoint of the company's 2026 vehicle delivery guidance implies 53% year-over-year growth.

Today, Feb. 17, 2026, analysts' higher targets collide with fresh doubts over Rivian's R2 rollout, testing conviction on its growth path.

Earnings season is winding down, and more than three-quarters of the companies in the S&P 500 have reported their latest results. According to FactSet, roughly 74% of firms reporting so far have beaten analysts' EPS estimates, and 73% have beaten revenue estimates.

D.A. Davidson worries that Rivian's guidance would require the company to see an unusually strong debut of its R2 EV.

RIVN's mass market R2 launch and expanded manufacturing capacity (5x of FY2025) position it for outsized top-line performance and adj EBITDA break-even in FY2027. Positive gross profit trends are emerging, aided by software/services and the Volkswagen JV, albeit with near-term margin headwinds from the new R2 ramp ups. Given the planned construction of RIVN's second manufacturing plant between 2026 and 2028, readers may expect intermediate term cash flow/balance sheet headwinds.

Aspiring electric vehicle contender Rivian Automotive NASDAQ: RIVN just saw one of its best stock price performance days on record. The stock popped nearly 27% on Feb. 13.

Rivian (RIVN) delivered decnt Q4 results and introduced confident 2026 guidance, driving shares higher. Cash burn remained significant at nearly $2.5 billion for 2025, with net cash at its lowest point in over a year. The R2 platform launch and manufacturing ramp are pivotal for Rivian's transition to high-volume production.