Tesla is set to release Q3 2026 earnings on October 21 after delivering 486,532 vehicles, down 2.1% year-over-year. The company faces margin pressure from EV competition, pricing constraints, and vehicle mix shifts. With an Earnings ESP of -11.35% and Zacks Rank #4 (Sell), Tesla is not expected to beat earnings estimates. Automotive gross profit is predicted to decline 0.6% from the year-ago quarter.

Rivian Automotive (RIVN) closed at $13.38, down 1.22%, underperforming the S&P 500's 0.02% loss. The stock has declined 14.63% over the past month, significantly underperforming its sector. The company is scheduled to report earnings on October 29, 2026, with projected EPS of -$0.66 and revenue of $1.97 billion. Rivian currently holds a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold) with a slight 0.42% upward revision in consensus EPS estimates over the last 30 days.

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Tesla is set to report Q3 2026 results on Oct. 21 with consensus estimates of 44 cents per share earnings and $27.8B revenue. Vehicle deliveries fell 2.1% year-over-year to 486,532 units, primarily due to a 47.9% decline in other models, though sequential growth of 1.3% was supported by European recovery. Energy storage deployments rose 9.6% YoY to 13.7 GWh. The company's negative Earnings ESP of -12.85% and Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) suggest low probability of an earnings beat.

Slovakia is expected to approve Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology, potentially becoming the ninth EU country to authorize the system. The approval is supported by data showing lower accident rates. Tesla faces competition from General Motors' Super Cruise and Rivian's Autonomy+. An EU-wide vote could occur in December, potentially enabling broader FSD deployment across Europe.

Rivian secured a $1 billion loan from Volkswagen at a fixed 6.03% rate with a grace period until October 2028, easing near-term funding concerns. Q3 deliveries surged 45.8% year-over-year to 19,248 units, driven by the R2 SUV rollout. However, the company still faces profitability challenges with negative 3% automotive gross margins and $849 million quarterly cash burn, making R2 execution critical to the investment thesis.

Stellantis' Q3 U.S. sales showed mixed results as its Ram brand surged 29% with the Ram 1500 posting a 73% sales gain, while Jeep declined 20% due to slower Compass and Grand Cherokee sales. Despite the bittersweet quarter, the automaker's $70 billion FaSTLAne 2030 turnaround strategy includes expanding Jeep offerings and manufacturing capacity, positioning both brands as cornerstones for recovery. With a market cap of only $13 billion—far below competitors—patient investors may find opportunity if execution succeeds.

Rivian Automotive (RIVN) declined 1.17% to $14.34, underperforming the broader market which fell only 0.22%. The stock has dropped 10.27% over the past month, significantly lagging its sector's 1.09% gain. The company is expected to report Q3 earnings on October 29, 2026, with anticipated EPS of -$0.67 and revenue of $1.97 billion, showing year-over-year improvements. Rivian currently holds a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).

The article highlights two auto stocks with positive Earnings Surprise Prediction (ESP) figures that may beat analyst expectations in their upcoming earnings reports. Rivian Automotive (RIVN) has a +15.43% ESP with a Hold rating, while Allison Transmission (ALSN) has a +6.86% ESP with a Strong Buy rating. Both stocks are positioned to potentially outperform market expectations based on the Zacks ESP methodology.

Zacks Equity Research designated Five Below as Bull of the Day with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) rating, citing strong earnings beats, 23% revenue growth, and back-to-back guidance raises. DICK's Sporting Goods was named Bear of the Day with a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell) rating after missing earnings estimates, lowering FY26 guidance, and experiencing weakness at Foot Locker. The article also analyzes Rivian and Lucid, both holding Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), with Rivian showing stronger delivery momentum while Lucid struggles with declining sales and deeply negative margins.

Rivian delivered 19,248 vehicles in Q3, a 46% increase from Q2, potentially beating analyst estimates. The company has improved gross margins and protected shareholders from dilution through non-dilutive capital raises. However, management only affirmed 2026 guidance rather than raising it, disappointing some investors expecting higher forecasts.

Rivian delivered record 19,248 vehicles in Q3, up 45.8% year-over-year, driven by the R2 SUV launch, while Lucid's deliveries fell 6.6% to 3,806 units with production dropping 38%. Both companies remain unprofitable with negative margins and heavy cash burn, though Rivian is closer to breakeven. Rivian holds an edge but faces pressure to improve Q4 margins, while Lucid's weaker performance and deeply negative gross margin make it a riskier investment.