General Motors has quietly revved past rivals to claim the crown as the best-performing U.S.-traded automaker stock of 2025.
Shares closed above $80, marking a 55% gain – the company’s strongest annual performance since emerging from bankruptcy in 2009.
Investors poured into GM amid strong earnings, shareholder-friendly buybacks, and favorable regulatory tailwinds under the Trump administration.
The surge has left Tesla’s 17% gain looking modest, Ford’s 34% rise respectable but second-place, and Stellantis nursing a 15% loss.
Wall Street analysts, long critics of GM’s valuation, now hail its cash flow and resilience.
UBS bumped its price target to $97, calling GM its top pick for 2026.
Morgan Stanley upgraded to overweight at $90, praising disciplined pricing and inventory control.
GM has beaten earnings estimates nearly every quarter for five years, with the third-quarter report sparking a 19% weekly jump.
The company raised guidance, signaling even stronger results ahead.
CFO Paul Jacobson reaffirmed commitment to buybacks, noting the stock remains undervalued.
External boosts helped too.
Loosened fuel economy standards and removed penalties eased pressure on profitable gas-powered trucks.
A renegotiated South Korea trade deal aided manufacturing.
Meanwhile, slower EV sales proved less painful for GM’s bottom line.
CEO Mary Barra, championing the turnaround, told investors great vehicles and innovation would set GM apart.
She highlighted consistent earnings in a competitive landscape.
Yet as shares climbed, Barra trimmed her holdings significantly.
She exercised options and sold about 1.8 million shares worth over $73 million.
She still owns more than 433,500 shares valued at $35 million, mostly in options.
Insider moves like this often raise eyebrows.
Here, they coincided with record highs, perhaps locking in gains from years of undervaluation.
GM’s weekly wins stretched since June, with December adding a 13% pop.
Analysts cite earnings resilience and shareholder returns as key drivers.
FactSet’s average target sits at $80.86 with an overweight rating.
The stock’s run underscores a preference for reliable profits over speculative growth.
Trucks and SUVs continue driving margins.
Regulatory relief provided extra torque.
Rivals scrambled with EV adjustments.
GM stayed steady.
Barra’s team focused on North American strengths.
Results followed.
As 2025 ends, GM stands tall in Detroit’s resurgence.
The company proves old-school engineering, paired with smart finance, can outpace flashier competitors.
At least on the ticker.
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