Featured News Headlines
Ford’s Strong Performance Highlights Resilient Auto Market
U.S. stock-index futures ticked higher on Friday as investors awaited key inflation data and assessed another round of corporate earnings. The session opened with several large-cap names moving sharply in pre-market trading, including Intel, Target, Alphabet, and Ford — the latter leading the pack after releasing stronger-than-expected quarterly results.
Ford’s Strong Quarter Driven by SUV and Truck Demand
Ford shares jumped around 4.5% in pre-market trading after the automaker reported third-quarter earnings that exceeded Wall Street expectations. The company cited robust demand for SUVs and pickup trucks as the main growth driver during the quarter.
Ford’s U.S. auto sales rose 8.2% year-over-year, reaching 545,522 units in Q3 2025. The company said truck and van sales increased 7.4%, totaling 313,654 units, while SUV sales climbed nearly 10% to 222,601 units. The newly refreshed Expedition model saw a particularly strong rebound, recording a 47% sales increase.
Electrified-vehicle sales, which include hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and electric vehicles, rose 19.8% to 85,789 units, representing nearly 16% of Ford’s total sales in the U.S. during the quarter. These gains helped balance out challenges in other parts of the business, showing Ford’s ability to maintain momentum even amid a complex economic environment.
Tariff Relief Boosts Margins
Ford also benefited from lower-than-expected tariff costs, a factor that improved profitability in Q3. Company executives noted that recent U.S. policy adjustments helped reduce Ford’s overall tariff burden by roughly $1 billion, easing cost pressures on imported components.
As a result, Ford’s revenue surpassed $50 billion, while operating income came in well above market projections. Analysts pointed out that Ford’s focus on domestic manufacturing and its strong North American sales mix continue to serve as critical advantages for the company.
Caution Over Supply Chain and Guidance
Despite a strong quarter, Ford’s management issued a more cautious outlook for the final months of the year. The company warned that ongoing supply-chain issues—including a recent fire at a key aluminum supplier—could reduce adjusted profits by up to $2 billion in Q4 2025.
To mitigate these challenges, Ford announced that it will reallocate more than 1,000 employees from its electric vehicle division to strengthen production of its high-demand F-Series trucks and SUV lines. The company emphasized that this strategic shift aims to optimize manufacturing efficiency and sustain profit margins amid fluctuating material costs.
Why Ford Stands Out in the Auto Industry
Ford’s latest results underscore several broader trends in the U.S. auto market. Large-format vehicles such as pickup trucks and full-size SUVs remain the most profitable segments, and Ford has positioned itself as a leader in that category.
At the same time, the company continues to expand its electrified-vehicle lineup. While the EV segment remains less profitable compared to Ford’s traditional divisions, growth in hybrid and plug-in hybrid models has been encouraging. Analysts see this diversification as a sign that Ford is taking a balanced approach to the ongoing transition toward cleaner mobility.
The company’s strong U.S. sales performance also reflects resilient consumer demand, despite elevated interest rates and concerns about inflation. However, executives cautioned that input cost volatility—especially in aluminum and steel—could still pressure margins in the coming quarters.
Broader Market Movers
Other major U.S. stocks showed notable moves in pre-market trading. Intel shares rose more than 7% after cost-cutting efforts helped the chipmaker post stronger quarterly earnings. Alphabet gained 1.3% after announcing that AI startup Anthropic will use Google’s AI chips for model training. Target added 0.5% following a restructuring plan that includes job cuts at its corporate offices.
In contrast, Deckers Outdoor fell 13% after providing a weak sales outlook, Applied Materials slipped 0.3% on workforce reduction news, and Newmont Goldcorp dropped 6.7% despite beating profit expectations. Baker Hughesand Booz Allen Hamilton also traded lower after reporting earnings misses.
