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Buy, Hold or Sell Ford Stock Before Q1 Earnings? Key Tips
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Key Takeaways
Ford is set to report Q1'26 results with EPS at 20 cents and auto revenues of $39.34B expected.
F saw Q1 deliveries drop 9% and EV sales plunge nearly 70% amid pricing pressure and lost incentives.
Ford Pro subscriptions rose 29% in Q1, but overall segment revenues and EBIT are still expected to decline.
Ford (F - Free Report) is slated to release first-quarter 2026 results on Wednesday, after the closing bell. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the to-be-reported quarter’s EPS and automotive revenues is pegged at 20 cents and $39.34 billion, respectively.
Earnings estimate for the to-be-reported quarter has moved down by a cent over the past seven days. However, the bottom line suggests year-over-year growth of 43%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for quarterly revenues suggests a 5% increase from the year-ago quarter’s figure.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
For full-year 2026, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Ford’s automotive revenues is pegged at $176 billion, suggesting a modest increase of roughly 1% year over year. The consensus mark for full-year EPS is $1.49, calling for 37% year-over-year contraction. The consensus mark for 2027 EPS points to 23% growth from the projected 2025 levels.
Notably, Ford surpassed earnings estimates in three of the last four quarters and missed once.
Our proven model doesn’t conclusively predict an earnings beat for the company this time around. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat. That’s not the case here. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
The legacy automaker reported first-quarter deliveries of 457,315 vehicles, down 9% year over year. The decline suggests a broader slowdown across the auto industry as economic uncertainty, affordability concerns, elevated vehicle prices and high borrowing costs weigh on demand. Ford’s arch rival General Motors (GM - Free Report) and Japan’s auto biggie Honda (HMC - Free Report) also saw their U.S. deliveries fall around 10% and 4%, respectively.
Ford’s crown jewel — the F-Series trucks — saw volumes drop 16% to 159,901 units. Management partly attributed this to production disruptions linked to last year’s aluminum plant fires, which constrained supply. Even hybrids, which had been a strong growth driver, saw sales fall nearly 20%.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the revenues from the Ford Blue segment is pegged at $20.7 billion, implying a decline from $21 billion reported in the first quarter of 2025.
Ford’s electric vehicle (EV) business also took a sharp hit, with sales plunging nearly 70% year over year to just 6,860 units, following the withdrawal of federal tax incentives and persistently high EV price tags. The consensus mark for Ford Model e unit’s adjusted EBIT is pegged at a loss of $1 billion, wider than $849 million incurred in the corresponding period of last year.
Ford Pro Intelligence paid software subscriptions grew approximately 29% year over year in the first quarter. That said, the consensus mark for revenues and adjusted EBIT from Ford Pro implies a year-over-year decline of 1% and 12%, respectively.
Ford’s Price Performance & Valuation
Year to date, shares of F have lost more than 5%, compared with General Motors’ decline of 4%. Meanwhile, Honda saw its share price dip 17% during the same timeframe.
Year-to-Date Price Comparison
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
F appears undervalued now. The company is trading at a forward sales multiple of 0.28, way lower than the industry.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
How to Play F Stock Pre-Q1 Results
Ford heads into the first quarter with clear near-term pressure. Supply disruption from a Novelis aluminum plant fire remains a key overhang, with losses already heavy and more costs expected as the company sources alternative supply. On top of that, tariffs continue to weigh, adding another layer of margin pressure.
At the same time, Ford is in the middle of reshaping its EV strategy. This transition comes with sizable costs, including billions in special charges over the next couple of years. The bulk of the cash impact is still ahead, making the recovery timeline longer and more back-loaded.
That said, it’s not all negative. The company’s commercial segment, Ford Pro, remains a strong pillar. Software and subscription revenues are supporting solid double-digit margins. This business provides stability while other parts of the company undergo transition. Ford is also planting seeds beyond autos. Its push into energy, particularly battery storage, opens up a new growth avenue with potentially better margins over time.
Financially, Ford is well-positioned to handle the turbulence. Strong liquidity and a roughly 5% dividend yield offer a cushion for investors willing to wait.
Near-term risks still outweigh upside catalysts. Even if results hold up, a meaningful rebound seems unlikely. New investors may want to wait for better visibility, while existing holders can stay put for the long haul.
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Buy, Hold or Sell Ford Stock Before Q1 Earnings? Key Tips
Key Takeaways
Ford (F - Free Report) is slated to release first-quarter 2026 results on Wednesday, after the closing bell. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the to-be-reported quarter’s EPS and automotive revenues is pegged at 20 cents and $39.34 billion, respectively.
Earnings estimate for the to-be-reported quarter has moved down by a cent over the past seven days. However, the bottom line suggests year-over-year growth of 43%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for quarterly revenues suggests a 5% increase from the year-ago quarter’s figure.
For full-year 2026, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Ford’s automotive revenues is pegged at $176 billion, suggesting a modest increase of roughly 1% year over year. The consensus mark for full-year EPS is $1.49, calling for 37% year-over-year contraction. The consensus mark for 2027 EPS points to 23% growth from the projected 2025 levels.
Notably, Ford surpassed earnings estimates in three of the last four quarters and missed once.
Our proven model doesn’t conclusively predict an earnings beat for the company this time around. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat. That’s not the case here. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
Ford has an Earnings ESP of -26.11% and a Zacks Rank #3. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Factors at Play
The legacy automaker reported first-quarter deliveries of 457,315 vehicles, down 9% year over year. The decline suggests a broader slowdown across the auto industry as economic uncertainty, affordability concerns, elevated vehicle prices and high borrowing costs weigh on demand. Ford’s arch rival General Motors (GM - Free Report) and Japan’s auto biggie Honda (HMC - Free Report) also saw their U.S. deliveries fall around 10% and 4%, respectively.
Ford’s crown jewel — the F-Series trucks — saw volumes drop 16% to 159,901 units. Management partly attributed this to production disruptions linked to last year’s aluminum plant fires, which constrained supply. Even hybrids, which had been a strong growth driver, saw sales fall nearly 20%.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the revenues from the Ford Blue segment is pegged at $20.7 billion, implying a decline from $21 billion reported in the first quarter of 2025.
Ford’s electric vehicle (EV) business also took a sharp hit, with sales plunging nearly 70% year over year to just 6,860 units, following the withdrawal of federal tax incentives and persistently high EV price tags. The consensus mark for Ford Model e unit’s adjusted EBIT is pegged at a loss of $1 billion, wider than $849 million incurred in the corresponding period of last year.
Ford Pro Intelligence paid software subscriptions grew approximately 29% year over year in the first quarter. That said, the consensus mark for revenues and adjusted EBIT from Ford Pro implies a year-over-year decline of 1% and 12%, respectively.
Ford’s Price Performance & Valuation
Year to date, shares of F have lost more than 5%, compared with General Motors’ decline of 4%. Meanwhile, Honda saw its share price dip 17% during the same timeframe.
Year-to-Date Price Comparison
F appears undervalued now. The company is trading at a forward sales multiple of 0.28, way lower than the industry.
How to Play F Stock Pre-Q1 Results
Ford heads into the first quarter with clear near-term pressure. Supply disruption from a Novelis aluminum plant fire remains a key overhang, with losses already heavy and more costs expected as the company sources alternative supply. On top of that, tariffs continue to weigh, adding another layer of margin pressure.
At the same time, Ford is in the middle of reshaping its EV strategy. This transition comes with sizable costs, including billions in special charges over the next couple of years. The bulk of the cash impact is still ahead, making the recovery timeline longer and more back-loaded.
That said, it’s not all negative. The company’s commercial segment, Ford Pro, remains a strong pillar. Software and subscription revenues are supporting solid double-digit margins. This business provides stability while other parts of the company undergo transition. Ford is also planting seeds beyond autos. Its push into energy, particularly battery storage, opens up a new growth avenue with potentially better margins over time.
Financially, Ford is well-positioned to handle the turbulence. Strong liquidity and a roughly 5% dividend yield offer a cushion for investors willing to wait.
Near-term risks still outweigh upside catalysts. Even if results hold up, a meaningful rebound seems unlikely. New investors may want to wait for better visibility, while existing holders can stay put for the long haul.