On the Dash:
- GM’s stock is having its strongest year since 2009, driven by earnings beats, raised guidance, and sustained analyst upgrades.
- Wall Street views GM as well-positioned due to strong cash flow, disciplined operations, and regulatory tailwinds.
- Despite CEO Mary Barra’s sizable stock sales, GM leadership continues to emphasize buybacks and long-term shareholder value.
General Motors is on track to become the top-performing U.S.-traded automaker stock of 2025, with shares up more than 55% to a record above $80, marking the company’s best annual performance since emerging from bankruptcy in 2009.
GM shares closed Friday above $80, surpassing last year’s 48.3% annual increase and extending a rally that has now lasted five consecutive months, according to FactSet. The stock has risen nearly 13% in December alone and has remained positive on a weekly basis since June.
The largest weekly jump occurred after GM reported third-quarter earnings on Oct. 21, when shares surged 19.3%. The automaker beat Wall Street expectations and raised its full-year guidance, later indicating that earnings next year are expected to exceed 2025 results.
GM’s stock gains have been fueled by consistent earnings performance, strong cash generation, and renewed confidence from Wall Street analysts. Over the past five years, the automaker has exceeded quarterly adjusted earnings-per-share expectations in all but one quarter, according to FactSet data.
Analysts have also pointed to GM’s track record of returning capital to shareholders through stock buybacks. The company’s finance chief said earlier this month that buybacks will continue as long as shares remain undervalued.
Notably, external factors have also contributed to the stock’s rise. GM is expected to benefit from relaxed U.S. fuel-economy and emissions regulations under the Trump administration, as well as changes to trade policy with South Korea, a major manufacturing hub for the company. At the same time, a broader slowdown in less profitable electric vehicle sales has supported GM’s earnings outlook.
Despite the stock’s rally, CEO Mary Barra has significantly reduced her personal holdings this year. Public filings show that Barra exercised options or sold roughly 1.8 million shares in 2025, totaling more than $73 million. As of September, she still owned more than 433,500 shares, valued at over $35 million, much of it tied to equity-based compensation.
GM’s performance has outpaced several major competitors. For instance, Tesla shares are up about 17% for the year, while Ford shares are up roughly 34%. Conversely, Stellantis shares are down approximately 15%, while other U.S.-traded automakers, such as Toyota and Honda, have posted more modest gains.
Overall, analysts rate GM stock overweight, with an average price target of about $80.86, according to FactSet, as the automaker heads into its strongest stock year in more than a decade.
