On Thursday, H.C. Wainwright maintained a positive stance on Joby Aviation Inc (NYSE:JOBY) shares, reiterating a Buy rating and a price target of $9.00. This follows the recent announcement made by Joby Aviation on Sunday, revealing an investment commitment from Toyota Motor (NYSE:TM) Corporation. Toyota plans to inject $500 million into Joby's common stock, a strategic move aimed at advancing the certification and commercial production of the company's electric air taxi.
The investment from Toyota is not a new development, as the automotive giant has previously invested $394 million in Joby Aviation since 2019. The fresh capital infusion is structured to occur in two stages, with the initial payment scheduled for some time in 2024 and the subsequent one in 2025.
These transactions are contingent upon receiving regulatory approvals, finalizing necessary commercial agreements, and establishing a strategic alliance for commercial manufacturing and other conditions for the second payment.
Joby Aviation's partnership with Toyota is expected to bolster its position in the burgeoning electric air taxi market. The investment terms include standard regulatory clearances and the completion of collaborative and commercial agreements. Moreover, the second tranche is tied to the finalization of a strategic alliance centered on commercial manufacturing, among other stipulations.
The analyst from H.C. Wainwright reaffirmed the Buy rating and $9 price target, reflecting confidence in Joby Aviation's prospects, particularly in light of the Toyota investment. This endorsement underscores the analyst's view of the company's potential growth, supported by Toyota's substantial financial commitment and collaboration.
In other recent news, Joby Aviation has seen significant developments. The company received a substantial $500 million investment from Toyota, projected to boost Joby's cash reserves to approximately $1.3 billion by the end of Q3 2024. This financial commitment is expected to accelerate the certification and commercial production of Joby's electric air taxi. Despite this, Deutsche Bank suggests that additional funding between $300 million to $500 million might be necessary by late next year or early 2026.
Meanwhile, Joby Aviation is making significant strides towards becoming an air taxi operator in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), following a definitive agreement with Dubai's Road and Transport Authority and a Memorandum of Understanding with multiple Abu Dhabi entities. On the financial front, the company reported a net loss of $123 million in Q2 2024 but maintained a solid financial position with $825 million in cash and short-term investments.
In analyst ratings, H.C. Wainwright has given Joby Aviation a Buy rating, citing the company's unique position as a vertically integrated player. In contrast, Deutsche Bank maintains a Sell rating on Joby Aviation. These recent developments reflect the dynamic and evolving landscape of the electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) sector, with Joby Aviation at the forefront.
InvestingPro Insights
Joby Aviation's recent developments, including Toyota's significant investment commitment, are reflected in the company's financial metrics and market performance. According to InvestingPro data, Joby has seen a strong return over the last month, with a 24.8% price total return. This aligns with the positive market reaction to the Toyota investment news.
An InvestingPro Tip highlights that Joby holds more cash than debt on its balance sheet, which is crucial for a company in the capital-intensive electric air taxi industry. This strong liquidity position is further reinforced by another tip indicating that Joby's liquid assets exceed short-term obligations, providing financial flexibility as it works towards certification and commercial production.
Despite these positive indicators, it's important to note that Joby is not yet profitable, with a negative operating income of $546.59 million in the last twelve months. This is consistent with the company's pre-revenue stage and significant R&D investments. Investors considering Joby should be aware that InvestingPro offers 11 additional tips for a more comprehensive analysis of the company's prospects.
This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.