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The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Tesla, Ford, Honda Motor, Toyota Motor and General Motors

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For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – February 11, 2021 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: Tesla, Inc. (TSLA - Free Report) , Ford Motor Company (F - Free Report) , Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (HMC - Free Report) , Toyota Motor Corporation (TM - Free Report) and General Motors Company (GM - Free Report) .

Here are highlights from Wednesday’s Analyst Blog:

5 Stocks to Watch as Auto Sales Look Ready to Rebound

The auto industry had to bear the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 as lockdowns led to a fall in demand. However, the industry looks poised to rebound this year. Notably, per a report by IHS Markit, global light vehicle sales are expected to increase 9% in 2021, as industry demand levels spur up. The report stated that the recovery will depend on the path of the pandemic and how governments are delivering on the vaccine programs. Also, the IHS Markit report hints at normalization of the situation from the middle of 2021.

On a positive note, the report stated that online sales and contactless delivery programs have helped in offsetting the impact of restrictions on registrations. The report also stated that the production of light vehicles is expected to rebound globally as manufacturing operations have been largely restored in most regions. Notably, IHS Markit forecast global light vehicle production to increase 14% in 2021.

In the United States, auto makers have been making a comeback from the second half of 2020. S&P Global Ratings stated that factors like ultra-low interest rates, low gas prices and strong housing starts, which have a historical correlation to auto sales, helped in boosting demand and in lowering sales incentives for auto makers, as quoted in an American Journal of Transportation article. The article also stated that shifting away from public transportation along with a flight to suburbs during the pandemic contributed to the demand for vehicles.

Meanwhile, electric vehicles ("EVs") are also set to gain further importance in the auto industry as the world continues to fight climate change. Notably, Canalys stated that global sales of EVs increased 39% in 2020, to reach 3.1 million units, as mentioned in a Business Wire article. Moreover, the article stated that EVs are estimated to account for more than 7% of worldwide new car sales in 2021 compared to almost 5% in 2020.

5 Stocks to Watch For

The auto industry looks set to make a comeback in 2021 as demand for vehicles gradually recover. Moreover, EVs should gain more prominence as consumers continue to shift to this clean energy alternative. This makes it a good time to look at auto manufacturers that can make the most of this potential upswing. Notably, we have selected five such stocks that carry a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Tesla designs, develops, manufactures, leases, and sells electric vehicles, and energy generation and storage systems in the United States, China, Netherlands, Norway, and internationally. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current-year earnings increased 16.3% over the past 60 days. The company's expected earnings growth rate for the current year is 81.3%.

Ford designs, manufactures, markets, and services a range of Ford trucks, cars, sport utility vehicles, electrified vehicles, and Lincoln luxury vehicles worldwide. The company has also forayed into the EV space with models like the 2021 Mustang Mach-E and 2020 Fusion Hybrid. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current-year earnings increased 30.5% over the past 60 days. The company's expected earnings growth rate for the current year is more than 100%.

Honda Motor develops, manufactures, and distributes motorcycles, automobiles, power products, and other products in Japan, North America, Europe, Asia, and internationally. The company is also venturing into the EV space with offerings like the Honda e. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its next-year earnings increased 2.8% over the past 60 days. The company's expected earnings growth rate for next year is 46.2%.

Toyota Motor designs, manufactures, assembles, and sells passenger vehicles, minivans and commercial vehicles, and related parts and accessories. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for next-year earnings increased 3.2% over the past 60 days. The company's expected earnings growth rate for next year is 35.5%.

General Motors designs, builds, and sells cars, trucks, crossovers, and automobile parts worldwide. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current-year earnings increased 3.7% over the past 60 days. The company's expected earnings growth rate for the next five years is 9.9%.

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Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.

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