GM shares rise after earnings beat and revenue rebound
General Motors lifted its 2026 profit outlook after second-quarter revenue grew for the first time since early 2025.
By Sal Moretti · Money Reporter
2 min read
General Motors shares moved higher before Tuesday’s opening bell after the automaker posted better-than-expected second-quarter results, lifted its full-year profit forecast and ended a year-long run of shrinking revenue.
MarketWatch reported that GM stock rose 1.6% in premarket trading. The move came after shares closed Monday below their 200-day moving average for the first time in a year, a level widely watched by traders as a long-term trend marker.
FactSet data cited by MarketWatch put that 200-day moving average at $76.22 on Tuesday. GM’s stock finished Monday 12.2% below its Jan. 27 record close of $86.38.
Profit fell, but adjusted earnings topped Wall Street
GM reported net income of $1.31 billion for the quarter, down 31.1% from the same period a year earlier, according to MarketWatch.
The company’s adjusted earnings told a different story. Excluding one-time items, including a $1.9 billion cash charge tied to restructuring its electric-vehicle operations, GM earned $3.57 a share. That was up from $2.53 a share a year earlier and above the $3.19 average estimate from analysts surveyed by FactSet.
GM also raised its 2026 adjusted earnings-per-share outlook. The company now expects $12 to $14 a share, compared with its prior forecast of $11.50 to $13.50.
Revenue rose 1.9% to $48.03 billion, beating the FactSet consensus estimate of $47.01 billion. MarketWatch said it was GM’s first year-over-year revenue increase since the first quarter of 2025, ending four straight quarters of declines.
Barra points to North America demand
In a shareholder letter cited by MarketWatch, Chief Executive Mary Barra said customer demand in North America remained strong. That comment came even as GM reported weaker deliveries and lower market share.
Global deliveries fell 7.2% to 1.43 million vehicles, marking a third consecutive quarterly decline, according to MarketWatch. North America deliveries dropped 3.4%, while U.S.-only deliveries were down 4.3%.
GM reported delivery declines in every region except South America, where deliveries were flat.
The company’s global market share slipped to 8.1% from 8.3%. In North America, market share fell to 15.8% from 16.4%, while U.S. share declined to 16.6% from 17.4%.
Incentives stayed below the industry average
GM’s sales incentives averaged 4.7% of manufacturer’s suggested retail price per vehicle during the quarter, according to MarketWatch. That was below the industry average of 6.3%.
The stock has lagged both Ford and the broader market this year. Through Monday, GM shares were down 6.8% in 2026, while Ford Motor shares had gained 6.6% and the S&P 500 had advanced 8.7%, according to MarketWatch.
The Tuesday premarket pop gave GM a quick chance to recover some ground after a rough technical signal, but investors also got a mixed earnings picture: stronger revenue and adjusted profit on one side, fewer deliveries and lower share on the other.
This story draws on original reporting from MarketWatch.