Shares of General Motors Co (NYSE: GM) have risen considerably amid Piper Sandler's decision to enhance the stock's investment rating and elevate its price target. On Thursday, the financial services firm upgraded General Motors from a Neutral to an Overweight rating, simultaneously raising the target price from $66 to $98. This adjustment marks an increase of nearly 50 percent, signaling heightened confidence in the automaker's future performance.
Alexander Potter, an analyst at Piper Sandler, emphasized that General Motors continues to generate substantial profits, positioning it as one of the company’s top performers over the past year. The analysis highlights that GM's relatively limited competitiveness exposure from Chinese automakers helps maintain its robust cash flow and pricing power. Furthermore, these strengths allow the company to pursue stock repurchases, revealing a strategy focused on shareholder value.
The firm’s projection assumes a positive trend in earnings estimates among market analysts, with Piper Sandler viewing this trajectory as justification for both the rating upgrade and the substantial increase in the price target.
General Motors' success is underscored by its performance in the electric vehicle (EV) segment. In 2025, GM secured three models among the top ten best-selling EVs in the United States, a feat unmatched by other automakers. The Chevrolet Equinox EV leads the pack, having sold 57,195 units — more than twice its volume compared to the previous year. Additional strong performers include the Chevy Blazer EV, positioned sixth with 22,637 units sold, and the Cadillac Lyriq, ranked eighth with 20,971 units.
Beyond Piper Sandler’s reassessment, several other financial institutions have also revisited their evaluations of General Motors’ stock recently. Wedbush sustained an Outperform rating, increasing its target price from $75 to $95 as of December 18. UBS and Goldman Sachs retained buy ratings, adjusting their price targets to $97 and $93 respectively, both higher than their former estimates of $85 and $81. Conversely, Wells Fargo maintained an Underweight rating with a comparatively modest target increase, moving from $46 to $48.
At the time of reporting, General Motors shares traded upward by approximately 3.64 percent, reaching $84.90 and hitting a fresh 52-week high. Market sentiment appears buoyed by both the company's execution in the EV market and reinforcing analyst endorsements. This positive momentum underscores a favorable outlook rooted in current earnings performance and anticipated growth trajectories, particularly within the evolving electric vehicle landscape.
The aggregation of analyst updates alongside GM’s expanding EV achievements portrays a company that is capitalizing on strategic industry trends. The blend of strong financial fundamentals, limited foreign competitive pressures, and breakthrough products in a highly competitive sector underscores expectations for sustained growth. Market participants will likely continue to monitor how these factors influence GM's valuation and investor sentiment going forward.