Why Ford couldn't keep Tesla shares from popping today

You can buy an F-150 Lightning next year — but Cathie Wood is buying Tesla today.

| More on:
tesla cybertruck

Image source: Tesla

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

What happened

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) stock enjoyed a modest tailwind Thursday, closing the day up 3.1% after announcing that its new electric F-150 Lightning pickup truck will go on sale next year for the low, low price of $39,974. That's just $74 more than Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) says it will sell its Cybertruck for, and with Ford beginning sales in 2022 -- but Tesla not saying when its Cybertruck will arrive -- Ford's F-150 Lightning might even beat Cybertruck to market. 

And yet, while it was Ford that made the headlines, it was Tesla stock that went up more today: 4.1%.

So what

So how did Tesla steal Ford's thunder? (I mean, its Lightning?)

I've got a couple of theories. The most likely is that investors are viewing Ford's electric F-150 bet as validating Tesla's idea of selling electric pickup trucks, and as a sort of backhanded endorsement that Tesla was right all along about the future of cars -- and trucks -- being electric.

A second factor possibly helping out Tesla investors is that famed tech investor Cathie Wood snapped up another 69,508 shares of Tesla today for three of her ARK investment funds. Combined with the more than 47,000 shares Wood purchased the day before, that makes for about 116,500 Tesla shares she's added to her holdings this week -- the first such buying she's engaged in since April.  

Now what

After a month of nearly continuous selling of Tesla stock on the market, driving shares of Elon Musk's car company down nearly 25%, investors may be taking Wood's buying as a "green light" signal that it's safe to get back in the water again.

And not even a press release from Ford could stop this rally.

This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

Wondering where you should invest $1,000 right now?

When investing expert Scott Phillips has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for over ten years has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

Scott just revealed what he believes could be the 'five best ASX stocks' for investors to buy right now. We believe these stocks are trading at attractive prices and Scott thinks they could be great buys right now...

See The 5 Stocks *Returns as of 30 April 2025

Rich Smith has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of and recommends Tesla. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

More on International Stock News

Delighted adult man, working on a company slogan, on his laptop.
International Stock News

Prediction: This artificial intelligence (AI) stock will be worth $5 trillion in 5 years

Amazon is integrating artificial intelligence (AI) across many areas of its business.

Read more »

Robot humanoid using artificial intelligence on a laptop.
International Stock News

Google must win at artificial intelligence or its search business could crumble. Does this make Alphabet an AI stock to buy?

Here's a deeper look into how Alphabet is faring in the battle for AI supremacy.

Read more »

A delivery man wearing a cap and smiling broadly delivers two boxes stacked on top of each other at the door of a female customer whose back can be seen at the edge of a doorway.
International Stock News

2 "Magnificent Seven" stocks billionaires are buying

The Magnificent Seven includes some of the most profitable and dominant tech companies in the world.

Read more »

Happy man working on his laptop.
International Stock News

Prediction: This artificial intelligence (AI) stock will be the biggest winner of 2025

Artificial intelligence will be one of the biggest growth opportunities this century.

Read more »

Legendary share market investing expert and owner of Berkshire Hathaway Warren Buffett
International Stock News

Could Warren Buffett's last move as Berkshire Hathaway CEO be buying this beaten-down "Magnificent Seven" stock?

Buffett is a value investor at his core, and he doesn't often buy shares of expensive companies.

Read more »

A woman holds a soldering tool as she sits in front of a computer screen while working on the manufacturing of technology equipment in a laboratory environment.
International Stock News

Prediction: This artificial intelligence (AI) stock will be worth $5 trillion in 3 years

Let's take a closer look at the catalysts that could propel this stock toward that valuation.

Read more »

A woman sits at her computer with her chin resting on her hand as she contemplates her next potential investment.
International Stock News

This Artificial Intelligence (AI) chipmaker just got a game-changing boost from Amazon, and Nvidia investors should be paying close attention

Amazon just made a notable investment in Nvidia's top rival.

Read more »

Happy man working on his laptop.
International Stock News

A once-in-a-decade opportunity: Here's why I'm buying Alphabet stock like there's no tomorrow

Alphabet's stock rarely gets this cheap, and right now could be a once-in-a-decade opportunity to scoop up shares at a…

Read more »