Ford Stock Is Rising After Getting a Big Upgrade at Goldman Sachs
Ford stock has struggled in recent months, but Goldman Sachs is upbeat about improving profitability. Here's what you need to know.


Ford Motor (F) stock is trading in positive territory Tuesday after Goldman Sachs upgraded the embattled automaker to Buy from Hold.
Goldman's upgrade of Ford is centered around the possibility of improving profitability, according to Barron's, particularly within its commercial business.
"We believe there is a margin opportunity driven by the company's more profitable commercial business," says Goldman Sachs analyst Mark Delaney. Ford's commercial business, Ford Pro, is its most profitable unit.

Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
The analyst also provided positive commentary on Ford's growing software and services mix.
"The company is targeting $1 billion of software revenue in 2025, and for software and physical services to be 20% of Pro [operating profit] in 2026," Delaney said. "In addition, we believe cost actions – in internal combustion engines (ICE) and electric vehicles (EVs) – can help to offset industry headwinds."
Is Ford stock a buy, sell or hold?
Ford Motor shares down more than 26% since mid-July and Wall Street is on the sidelines when it comes to the consumer discretionary stock.
According to S&P Global Market Intelligence, the average analyst target price for F stock is $13.02, representing implied upside of over 20% to current levels. Meanwhile, the consensus recommendation is a Hold.
But like Goldman Sachs' Delaney, there are bulls to be found. Financial services firm BofA Securities, for instance, also has a Buy rating on the large-cap stock, along with a $20 price target.
"On August 21, Ford announced several changes to its product plans that should help improve the profitability and capital efficiency of its Core to Future transition," says BofA Securities analyst John Murphy. "Among the changes, Ford now plans to launch a new electric commercial van in 2026 and two new electric pickup trucks in 2027."
Murphy adds that Ford's initiatives include shelving plans "to build an electric three-row SUV, but instead will leverage its hybrid technology in the next three-row SUVs." He believes "these changes will position Ford to benefit from growing demand for EVs, while also focusing on areas in which it has a Core competitive advantage."
BofA's $20 price target is the highest on Wall Street and sits nearly 90% above where Ford is currently trading.
Related Content
- Ford Recalls More Than 90,000 Vehicles. Is Your Truck or SUV on the List?
- How the EV Tax Credit Works
- States That Won't Tax Your EV
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.

Joey Solitro is a freelance financial journalist at Kiplinger with more than a decade of experience. A longtime equity analyst, Joey has covered a range of industries for media outlets including The Motley Fool, Seeking Alpha, Market Realist, and TipRanks. Joey holds a bachelor's degree in business administration.
-
Investing Abroad Could Pay Off — Here's How
Countries overseas are stimulating their economies, and their stocks are compelling bargains.
-
Retire in Belize for Stunning Natural Beauty and Culture
Belize offers miles of protected land and ocean, a rich mix of cultures and a chill lifestyle. Best yet — the income requirement is just $2K per month.
-
Why Investing Abroad Could Pay Off
Countries overseas are stimulating their economies, and their stocks are compelling bargains.
-
Are These the Next Stocks to Split?
Interactive Brokers' recently split its stock to makes its shares more accessible to investors. Could these high-priced stocks be next?
-
Your Home + Your IRA = Your Long-Term Care Solution
If you're worried that long-term care costs will drain your retirement savings, consider a personalized retirement plan that could solve your problem.
-
I'm a Financial Planner: Retirees Should Never Do These Four Things in a Recession
Recessions are scary business, especially for retirees. They can scare even the most prepared folks into making bad moves — like these.
-
A Retirement Planner's Advice for Taking the Guesswork Out of Income Planning
Once you've saved for retirement, you'll need your nest egg to support you for as many as 30 years. For that, you need a clear income strategy, not guesswork.
-
Stock Market Today: Stocks Swing as Trump Scraps Canada Trade Talks
Despite a mid-afternoon slip, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq ended the day at new record highs.
-
Why Smart Retirees Are Ditching Traditional Financial Plans
Financial plans based purely on growth, like the 60/40 portfolio, are built for a different era. Today’s retirees need plans based on real-life risks and goals and that feature these four elements.
-
To My Small Business: Well, I've Been Afraid of Changin', 'Cause I've Built My Life Around You
While thinking about succession planning might feel like anticipating a landslide (here's to you, Fleetwood Mac), there are strategies you can implement to manage the uncertainty and the transition.