If You'd Invested $1,000 in Ford 5 Years Ago, Here's How Much You'd Have Today

While the Detroit auto stock posted a positive total return, it lags the overall market.Thanks to its long history as one of the leaders of the domestic auto industry, Ford Motor Company (F +1.63%) is a company that investors are familiar with. Though, this doesn't mean it has been a wildly successful addition to portfolios. If you'd invested $1,000 in Ford shares exactly five years ago, here's how much you'd have today. Image source: Getty Images. Ford is a market underperformer Ford produced a total return of 63% in the past five years (as of Feb. 17). This means that a $1,000 investment would be worth $1,630 today. The gain lags the S&P 500 index, which put up a total return of 87%. Let's look at the positive and negative developments that have influenced this automotive stock over the past half-decade. The good Ford has maintained its leadership position atop the market for pickup trucks. Last year was the 44th straight year that the F-Series lineup was the best-selling vehicle in America. These vehicles have pricing power and support high margins for the company. Ford pro, the segment that sells cars, software, and services to commercial and government customers, was a notable bright spot. Its growth and profitability are generally better than that of the overall business. And it introduces a recurring revenue stream. Besides 2022, the business generated positive free cash flow each year over the past half-decade. That supports Ford's ongoing dividend, which currently yields 4.25%. Income investors might find this compelling. ExpandNYSE: FFord Motor CompanyToday's Change(1.63%) $0.23Current Price$14.01Key Data PointsMarket Cap$56BDay's Range$13.72 - $14.0352wk Range$8.44 - $14.50Volume2.3MAvg Vol59MGross Margin6.52%Dividend Yield4.28% The bad On the other hand, there were many negative trends that Ford has had to deal with. Its electric vehicle (EV) segment, called model e, is one clear example. Billions upon billions of dollars in operating losses and weaker-than-expected demand finally forced the management team to shift its focus toward lower-priced EV models and hybrid vehicles. In December, Ford reported a monster $19.5 billion related charge. Quality issues continue to plague this company. Ford had 152 recalls last year. Warranty costs have also been elevated. Changing trade policies impacted the entire sector last year. Tariffs had a negative $2 billion impact on Ford in 2025. And they'll continue to pressure earnings this year. Investors shouldn't expect things to change It's not encouraging for investors to see that Ford shares don't have a history of beating the market. I believe this trend will continue over the next five years and beyond. That's because revenue and profit growth in the long run won't be anything to write home about. That's the nature of being a mass market car manufacturer. The stock is cheap, but Ford isn't likely to register impressive returns.Read NextFeb 20, 2026 •By Neil PatelCould Investing $10,000 in Ford Make You a Millionaire?Feb 19, 2026 •By Daniel MillerThe One Thing Ford Investors Need to Know Going ForwardFeb 16, 2026 •By Neil PatelWhere Will Ford Be in 5 Years?​Feb 14, 2026 •By Daniel MillerThe Real Reason Investors Should Be Excited for Ford's China NegotiationsFeb 11, 2026 •By Howard SmithStock Market Today, Feb. 11: Ford Rises After 2026 Profit Outlook Offsets Record EV LossesFeb 11, 2026 •By John RosevearFord's Earnings Missed Wall Street Estimates -- but Its Stock Didn't Crash. Here's Why.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.TMFNeilPatelStocks MentionedFord Motor CompanyNYSE: F$14.01 (+1.63%) $+0.23*Average returns of all recommendations since inception. Cost basis and return based on previous market day close.