Should You Invest $500 in Ford Right Now?
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Ford shares have generated a nearly 50% return so far this year.Investors should be pleased with Ford (F +0.15%) this year. The Detroit automaker's shares have returned an impressive 48% so far in 2025 (as of Dec. 12), including dividends. The S&P 500 comes up short. Ford has positive momentum as 2026 approaches. Does this mean now is a good time to invest $500 in this auto stock? Image source: Getty Images. Ford's track record is disappointing When putting money to work, many investors have a goal to beat the market over the long term. Unfortunately, Ford fails in this regard. Over the past decade, which is a long enough time horizon to come to a sound conclusion, the car manufacturer has produced a total return of only 73%. The S&P 500's total return during the same period was 308%. That's a huge gap. Investors looking for outsize gains are better off avoiding Ford stock.Advertisement ExpandNYSE: FFord Motor CompanyToday's Change(0.15%) $0.02Current Price$13.67Key Data PointsMarket Cap$54BDay's Range$13.57 - $13.9952wk Range$8.44 - $13.99Volume9.8KAvg Vol92MGross Margin7.58%Dividend Yield4.39% Is Ford a wonderful business? Over extended periods, great companies generally deliver strong investment returns. Ford's stock's poor performance shows that it's not a high-quality business. For starters, it's not going to register fast growth in car volumes or revenue. Its profit margins aren't anything to write home about. There are huge capital expenditures needed just to keep pace in the industry. Demand can be very cyclical, depending on economic forces. The stock might be trading at a bargain valuation, but investors should stay away.About the AuthorNeil Patel is a contributing Motley Fool stock market analyst covering consumer staples, consumer discretionary, financials, information technology, and communication services. Prior to The Motley Fool, Neil worked in corporate finance roles at JPMorgan Chase and Capital One. He also has experience working on a start-up in the cryptocurrency space. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a specialization in finance from Ohio State University.TMFNeilPatelRead NextDec 12, 2025 •By Neil PatelEvaluating Ford (F) Stock's Actual PerformanceDec 9, 2025 •By Neil PatelIs Ford Stock a Buy Now?Nov 30, 2025 •By Courtney CarlsenShould You Buy Ford While It's Below $14?Nov 27, 2025 •By Daniel MillerFord's Overlooked Profit Machine Is Under Attack by RivalNov 24, 2025 •By Neil PatelCould Buying Ford Stock Today Set You Up for Life?Nov 22, 2025 •By James BrumleyWhat Every Ford Investor Should Know Before Buying