Rivian gets a lift from improving margins and a strong catalyst ahead

The electric vehicle maker Rivian Automotive (RIVN) has just earned an upgrade to “Strong Buy” heading into 2026, driven largely by improving margins, supportive policy tailwinds, and a major catalyst on the horizon. In the company’s third‑quarter report, revenue came in at US$1.56 billion, beating estimates (vs. US$1.51 billion), while adjusted loss per share narrowed (‑US$0.65 vs expected ‑US$0.71). Encouragingly, software and services—making up 27% of Q3 revenue—helped generate positive gross profit, offsetting a US$130 million loss from the automotive segment. Rivian’s infrastructure is expanding: 95 service locations, 35 “spaces,” and an “Adventure Network” boasting 850+ chargers at 131 active sites across 38 states (with roughly 90% accessible to any EV) offer meaningful upside in after‑sales services. Looking ahead, the planned launch of the mid‑sized EV model R2 in mid‑2026 stands out as a major growth catalyst. With a narrative now supported by improving fundamentals and favorable market conditions, the analyst behind the upgrade is targeting a stock price in the high US$20s ahead of R2’s debut. #Rivian #EV #R2Launch #StockUpgrade #SlimScan #GrowthStocks #CANSLIM