Why Rivian Automotive Stock Keeps Going Up
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By Rich Smith – Dec 19, 2025 at 2:40PM ESTKey PointsTwo analysts have raised price targets on Rivian stock in two days.Both have the same reason: The new Rivian R2 SUV.These 10 Stocks Could Mint the Next Wave of Millionaires ›NASDAQ: RIVNRivian AutomotiveMarket Cap$25BToday's Changeangle-down(9.96%) $2.02Current Price$22.30Price as of December 19, 2025 at 3:29 PM ETRivian grew sales nicely in Q3, but growing sales in 2026 could be harder -- even with a new electric SUV to sell.For the second day in a row, shares of Rivian Automotive (RIVN +9.96%) stock climbed higher Friday -- up 10.5% through 2:20 p.m. ET -- and for the same reason as yesterday: A Wall Street analyst is raising its price target on Rivian. Image source: Rivian Automotive.
Why Wall Street loves Rivian Yesterday, Baird analyst Ben Kallo raised his price target on Rivian stock from $14 to $25. Kallo cited Rivian's upcoming introduction of the R2 electric SUV into its lineup as the primary motivation for raising his target price. Today, Wedbush seconded that emotion. Rivian is ready to launch the R2 in H1 2026, and Wedbush analyst Daniel Ives agrees that prospect could lift Rivian stock to $25. More than just the new car, Ives argues Rivian's development of a new artificial intelligence chip and its push to turn its vehicles autonomous give the company new ways to make money. At the same time, Rivian is working to cut costs and grow its profit margin.Advertisement ExpandNASDAQ: RIVNRivian AutomotiveToday's Change(9.96%) $2.02Current Price$22.30Key Data PointsMarket Cap$25BDay's Range$20.35 - $22.6452wk Range$10.36 - $22.64Volume3.1MAvg Vol49MGross Margin-159.38% Is Rivian stock a buy? Will this be enough to save Rivian, though? I'm not yet convinced. On the one hand, Rivian did a great job of growing sales last quarter. On the other hand, it did so in the middle of a vast, last-minute rush by consumers to buy EVs before the federal EV tax credit disappeared. Not only will this feat be hard to repeat. The late-September rush of EV sales probably pulled a lot of demand forward from Q4, and even from 2026, into Q3 2025. All eyes must now turn to sales growth. If Rivian maintains momentum in 2026, the stock could well be the "buy" that Wall Street says it is. But if sales stall... then Rivian stock is a sell.Read NextDec 19, 2025 •By Rich SmithCan RIVN Stock Beat the Market in 2026?Dec 18, 2025 •By Howard SmithWhy Did Rivian Stock Soar 15% Today?Dec 18, 2025 •By Chris NeigerBetter EV Stock: Rivian vs. TeslaDec 17, 2025 •By David Jagielski, CPARivian's Stock Is On Track for Its Best Year Since Going Public.
Can It Continue Its Rally in 2026?Dec 17, 2025 •By Reuben Gregg BrewerCould Buying Rivian Stock Today Set You Up for Life?Dec 17, 2025 •By Chris NeigerShould You Buy Rivian While It's Below $20?About the AuthorRich Smith is a contributing Motley Fool defense and stock market analyst covering publicly traded and emerging companies in defense, space, aerospace, and other sectors. Prior to The Motley Fool, Rich practiced international corporate law for Clifford Chance in Russia, and for the Russian-Ukrainian Legal Group in Moscow, Kyiv, and Washington, D.C. He holds a bachelor’s degree in international relations from the College of William & Mary, a law degree from the University of Baltimore, and a language certification from the International Institute of Russian Language & Culture in Tver, Russian Federation. The Globe and Mail once featured him as “one of the best stock pickers since 2009.”TMFDittyX@RichSmithFoolStocks MentionedRivian AutomotiveNASDAQ: RIVN$22.30 (+0.10%) $+2.02*Average returns of all recommendations since inception. Cost basis and return based on previous market day close.Advertisement