As Q4 earnings season draws to a close, investors are shifting focus to the updated quant ratings following the latest wave of corporate results. These scores offer a snapshot of how companies rank across key factors, including valuation, growth, profitability, momentum, and revisions.

Below is an overview of large-cap consumer discretionary companies with market capitalizations between $2B and $10B, highlighting those with the highest and lowest quant ratings. The comparison underscores which stocks strengthened their fundamentals and which ones lagged.

Among the highest SA quant-rated companies, all having a Strong Buy ratings are:

• Victoria’s Secret & Co. (VSCO), Quant Rating: 4.81, Strong Buy.
• Aritzia (ATZAF), Quant Rating: 4.70, Strong Buy.
• LCI Industries (LCII), Quant Rating: 4.67, Strong Buy.
• Perdoceo Education (PRDO), Quant Rating: 4.65, Strong Buy.
• PHINIA (PHIN), Quant Rating: 4.64, Strong Buy.

Among the lowest SA quant-rated companies, all having a Strong Sell ratings are:

• Duolingo (DUOL), Quant Rating: 1.04, Strong Sell.
• Lucid Group (LCID), Quant Rating: 1.06, Strong Sell.
• Metaplanet (MTPLF), Quant Rating: 1.11, Strong Sell.
• Pandora (PNDRY), Quant Rating: 1.22, Strong Sell.
• RH (RH), Quant Rating: 1.28, Strong Sell.

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RBC Capital analyst Tom Narayan said the firm likes the general direction that Lucid (LCID) is now taking. “On the positive side, we applaud Lucid for its ambitious midsize program. It is smart to target the meat of the US auto market, where brand recognition is less important,” he updated. “We think a key obstacle Lucid has had in selling its premium vehicles is that it is an unknown brand going up against the likes of Porsche and Mercedes,” he added. Lucid (LCID) up against the Tesla (TSLA) Model Y and the Toyota (TM) RAV4 4 is seen as making more sense, especially if the car can boast better battery range relative to price. The firm has a Sector Perform rating on Lucid (LCID).

Morgan Stanley analyst Andrew Percoco said Lucid’s (LCID) innovative midsize platform supports scaling to being free cash flow positive, aided by autonomy partnerships that expand the brand and diversify revenue. “However, weak EV demand and execution risk in a competitive market could challenge the near-term cash flow outlook,” he warned. The firm kept an Underweight rating in place.

Shares of Lucid (LCID) rose 1.1% in premarket trading on Friday after shedding 7.9% on Thursday.

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The electric vehicle maker highlighted that its upcoming mid-size platform will underpin three new electric vehicles aimed at the core of the electric vehicle market, with a starting price around $50K to compete directly with Tesla’s (TSLA) Model 3 and Model Y and other mass-market EV offerings.

The first model will be a mid-size crossover SUV, followed by a more rugged variant inspired by the Gravity X concept and a likely mid-size sedan, all designed to deliver Lucid’s (LCID) signature range, efficiency, and interior space. The new models will be introduced at lower cost points than the current Air and Gravity lines.

Production of these mid-size vehicles is expected to begin in Saudi Arabia in late 2026 or 2027, with full capacity targeted by 2029, reflecting Lucid’s (LCID) plan to scale globally while using a shared platform to simplify manufacturing and improve margins.

It was noted that at the heart of the mid-size platform is Atlas, Lucid’s all new electric drive unit. Atlas advances Lucid’s integrated efficiency approach through a smaller, lighter, and simpler design, featuring identical front and rear housings and mounts to improve manufacturing scale and cost efficiency.

During the company’s presentation, Lucid (LCID) management said it sees a path to being cash flow positive by the late decade. It was also noted that recent sales data has indicated that the Lucid Gravity is seeing momentum. The biggest takeaway is that Lucid (LCID) expects its midsize platform and entry into the robotaxi market to significantly expand its total addressable market. The company plans to work with “leading partners” on its robotaxi business.

It was noted that at the heart of the midsize platform is Atlas, Lucid’s (LCID) all new electric drive unit. Atlas is seen advancing Lucid’s (LCID) integrated efficiency approach through a smaller, lighter, and simpler design, featuring identical front and rear housings and mounts to improve manufacturing scale and cost efficiency.

Shares of Lucid (LCID) were down 6.0% in late morning trading as investors eyed the timeline for the company to achieve its targets.

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On an unadjusted basis, wholesale prices advanced 4.2% year over year, outpacing the historical average February gain and underscoring solid dealer appetite for inventory ahead of spring. The data showed three‑year‑old vehicle values rising more than seasonal norms, with prices up 3.1% in February and retention averaging 100.3%, indicating that actual transaction prices were trading slightly above guidebook values. Sales conversion reached 61.5%, about 1.4 percentage points higher than January and above the recent three‑year February average, signaling that higher prices are being met with willing buyers rather than dampening throughput.

Looking ahead, Cox Automotive highlighted that recent geopolitical events introduce new risks to the economy, which could put a damper on consumer appetite in the short run. The firm warned that the development could slow the building pace being seen on the back of tax refund season, particularly as gas prices rise. However, a pickup in demand is still expected in the back half of March.

Related auto retail tickers: Carvana (CVNA), CarMax (KMX), Lithia Motors (LAD), AutoNation (AN), Asbury Automotive Group (ABG), CarGurus (CARG), Group 1 Automotive (GPI), Sonic Automotive (SAH), Penske Automotive Group (PAG), Vroom (VRM), Shift Technologies (SFTGQ), Rush Enterprise (RUSHA), Driven Brands (DRVN), Openlane (OPLN), ACV Auctions (ACVA), Cars.com (CARS), Tesla (TSLA), Toyota Motor (TM), Honda Motor (HMC), Nissan (NSANY), General Motors (GM), Rivian Automotive (RIVN), Lucid Group (LCID), Stellantis (STLA), and Ford Motor (F).

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Core themes at the Investor Day will include how Lucid (LCID) can accelerate the path to profitability, drive revenue growth from current products (Lucid Air and the Gravity SUV), and the unveiling of the midsize platform as a key scale and margin lever.

Winterhoff is expected to open with a strategic overview under the banner “Our Next Chapter: Accelerating to Profitability,” setting out how Lucid (LCID) intends to transition from a niche luxury EV player to a more mainstream brand with improved cost structure and capital efficiency. Other sessions will drill into details on the Air and Gravity models, including pricing strategies and demand expectations.

Investors can also expect discussion about Lucid’s (LCID) software and autonomy roadmap, including color on the L4-ready platforms and a path to market for higher levels of automated driving.

Ahead of the event, Morgan Stanley analyst Andrew Percoco said the limited detail on the bridge to profitability for Lucid (LCID) has investor eyes turned to the much-awaited financial update at the Investor Day event. “While the company committed to delivering meaningful gross margin improvement in 2026, it gave limited details around specific financial margin targets for the year. That said, we expect a more substantial update from the company on its path to profitability at its investor day,” he highlighted.

Shares of Lucid Group (LCID) are down 3.1% in 2026 after a sharp decline in 2025.

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In light of this, JP Morgan’s trading desk named consumer, airlines and cruise lines stocks as “conflict laggards”. Below is a list ranked according to Seeking Alpha’s Quant Ratings, with all featured stocks carrying a Strong Sell designation.

Lucid Group (LCID) and Duolingo (DUOL) share the lowest ratings on the list, each with a Quant Rating of 1.04. Sweetgreen (SG) and Bright Horizons Family Solutions (BFAM) follow closely behind. The list spans multiple sectors, including automobile manufacturers, education services, restaurants and household appliances.

Seeking Alpha’s Quant Ratings system evaluates stocks based on their relative performance across critical quantitative measures, including valuation, growth, stock momentum and profitability. Ratings are given on a scale from 1 to 5, with any rating of 3.5 or above considered bullish and any rating of 2.5 or below considered bearish.

Here is the list:

1. Lucid Group (LCID), Quant Rating: 1.04

2. Duolingo (DUOL), Quant Rating: 1.04

3. Sweetgreen (SG), Quant Rating: 1.18

4. Bright Horizons Family Solutions (BFAM), Quant Rating: 1.25

5. RH (RH), Quant Rating: 1.28

6. First Watch Restaurant Group (FWRG), Quant Rating: 1.29

7. Portillo’s (PTLO), Quant Rating: 1.31

8. Helen of Troy (HELE), Quant Rating: 1.34

9. Sabre (SABR), Quant Rating: 1.35

10. Kodiak AI (KDK), Quant Rating: 1.35

Airline ETF: (JETS)

Consumer Discretionary ETFs: (XLY), (VCR), (FXD), (FDIS), (RSPD), and (RXI)

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Management View

• Interim CEO Marc Winterhoff highlighted that “2025 was a defining year for the industry at large,” emphasizing Lucid’s ability to “nearly double production,” “significantly grow deliveries,” “reduce unit costs,” “gain market share,” and “continue to strengthen our financial position” despite macroeconomic headwinds. He noted the successful ramp-up of the Lucid Gravity SUV and the overcoming of hardware and software quality issues through customer-focused software updates.
• Winterhoff announced a “second much larger technology partnership… with Uber and Nuro,” leveraging the Lucid Gravity for robotaxi deployment, with a minimum of 20,000 autonomous vehicles to be launched on Uber’s platform. He cited the global robotaxi market opportunity as $700 billion by 2035 and specified on-road testing began in Q4 with first deployment in the San Francisco Bay Area planned for later in 2026.
• The midsize platform, targeting a price “beginning below $50,000,” is set for production start by year-end and is expected to expand Lucid’s addressable market to $350 billion by 2030. Factory construction in Saudi Arabia is “slightly ahead of schedule.”
• Lucid Air was described as “the #1 selling EV in the U.S. in its segment in 2025,” with full year deliveries up 54.7% versus 2024. Gravity became the majority of deliveries in Q4, driving a notable increase in average selling price (ASP).
• Winterhoff detailed a 12% workforce reduction, excluding hourly production employees, expected to yield up to $500 million in cost savings over three years.
• CFO Taoufiq Boussaid stated, “The fourth quarter was about execution, improving operational stability, improving unit economics and improving liquidity to extend our own way.” He highlighted a 133% year-over-year production increase in Q4 to 7,874 vehicles and noted, “Q4 revenue was $522.7 million, up 55% sequentially and 123% year-over-year.”

Outlook

• Lucid projects “to produce between 25,000 to 27,000 vehicles for the year” in 2026 and expects CapEx at $1.2 billion to $1.4 billion. The company reaffirmed “on track to start production of the first model on our midsized platform this year.” Boussaid asserted, “We believe we have liquidity into first half 2027.”
• Winterhoff outlined five priorities for 2026: growing production and deliveries, enhancing vehicles via over-the-air updates, starting midsize platform production, delivering first robotaxis to Uber, and maintaining strict cost and cash management.

Financial Results

• Q4 revenue reached $522.7 million, with full year revenue of $1.35 billion. Gross margin improved approximately 18 points sequentially in Q4, driven by higher production volume, improved fixed cost absorption, and Gravity mix. Manufacturing cost per vehicle produced declined approximately 27% during 2025. Operating expenses were $643 million in Q4, with R&D at $361 million and SG&A at $282 million. Operating loss was $1.065 billion. Free cash flow was negative $1.2 billion. Lucid ended the quarter with $4.6 billion in liquidity, including $2.1 billion in cash.

Q&A

• Cahir A: Will Lucid earn ongoing revenue through its partnership with Uber and Nuro, such as fleet maintenance services, software licensing or subscriptions? Winterhoff: “We’re basically selling the cars to Uber or one of its fleet partners. So there are no further licensing or subscription revenues involved.”
• Sung K: When does the Board plan to appoint a permanent CEO? Winterhoff: “That is a question for the Board, and I don’t have any further updates to give today.”
• Martina: What is the clearest path to positive gross margin? And when do you realistically expect to get there? Boussaid: “We expect to deliver meaningful progress in gross margin in 2026 through improved cost of materials, absorption of fixed costs through scale and improved efficiencies.”
• Itay Michaeli, TD Cowen: What milestones remain for midsized platform production? Winterhoff: “We are, I would say, in the final stretch of their product development. We have built the first production validation vehicles… and we also have to finish the installation of the equipment in our plant in Saudi Arabia.”
• Andres Sheppard-Slinger, Cantor Fitzgerald: How should we think about the unit mix for that guidance for this year between Air, Gravity, possibly some midsize? Winterhoff: “The majority of our production and then also the deliveries for next year is going to be the Gravity… there will not be any meaningful numbers [for midsize] to be reported.”
• James Picariello, BNP Paribas: OpEx savings and CapEx allocation to M2 plant. Boussaid: “The majority of CapEx that we see next year will be geared towards M2.”

Sentiment Analysis

• Analysts pressed on the sustainability of cost reductions, timing to profitability, and composition of guidance, with a neutral to slightly positive tone, often congratulating management but seeking clarity on milestones, cash burn, and strategic priorities.
• Management maintained a confident and pragmatic tone in prepared remarks, with Winterhoff asserting, “We remain confident in our long-term growth opportunities,” and Boussaid highlighting “structural” improvements. During Q&A, management was measured, providing clarity where possible but deflecting on CEO succession and detailed cash burn forecasts.
• Compared to the previous quarter, both analysts and management displayed slightly increased confidence, with more focus on execution and less on macro headwinds.

Quarter-over-Quarter Comparison

• Guidance for 2026 is now more precise, with a production range of 25,000–27,000 vehicles, compared to prior commentary centering on ramping Gravity and upcoming midsize. Cost-saving measures, including a 12% workforce reduction, were newly announced. Margins and production metrics saw notable improvement, and there is increased emphasis on robotaxi commercialization and software as future revenue streams. Management’s tone shifted from cautious optimism to more assertive confidence in operational execution. Analyst questions increasingly focused on the timing and impact of new models and cost structure.

Risks and Concerns

• Management noted “extraordinary macro turbulences” including tariffs, supply chain disruptions, and shifting EV demand as key challenges in 2025. Mitigation strategies included software updates, cost reductions, and workforce optimization. Analysts continued to press on profitability timing, liquidity, and execution risks related to new model launches and international expansion.

Final Takeaway

Lucid concluded the year with record production and deliveries, effective cost controls, and strengthened liquidity, while advancing its strategic priorities in new market segments, international expansion, and autonomous driving. The company is targeting further production growth in 2026, led by Gravity and the launch of its midsize platform, supported by continued operational discipline and a strong balance sheet.

Read the full Earnings Call Transcript

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During Q4, Lucid produced 8,412 vehicles, up 116% compared to a year ago, and delivered 5,345 vehicles, up 31% from last year. On a full-year basis in 2025, the company produced 18,378 vehicles, up 104% compared to full-year 2024, and delivered 15,841 vehicles, up 55% compared to full year 2024. “2025 was all about execution and strategy adjustment to set Lucid up for long-term success. Against a challenging macro backdrop, we nearly doubled production, gained market share, reduced unit costs, and strengthened our financial position,” stated interim CEO Marc Winterhoff.

The electric vehicle maker ended the quarter with approximately $4.6B in total liquidity

Looking ahead, Lucid Group (LCID) said its focus will remain on operational and financial discipline, sustainable growth, and continued progress toward profitability. The company noted that it is looking forward to the production of the first of its mid-size vehicles and the deployment of the first Lucid robotaxis into commercial service with its partners.

Shares of Lucid Group (LCID) were down 3.5% in postmarket action.

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