Trending Tickers: $ACHR Gains on Strategic Progress, $GM Hires Ex-Tesla Exec, $UNH Faces Turmoil
This week, several stocks caught investors’ attention, driven by significant developments and market momentum. Here’s the breakdown of this week’s trending stocks:
Archer ($ACHR): Palantir Partnership, UAE Launch on Track, New Airline Customers
Archer Aviation Inc. ($ACHR), a developer of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, reported its Q1 2025 results, highlighting strong operational momentum and strategic advancements ahead of its planned UAE commercial launch later this year.
Key highlights:
- UAE Launch on Schedule: Archer plans to deliver its first Midnight aircraft to the UAE this summer. The company has also received design approval for the region’s first hybrid heliport in Abu Dhabi.
- New “Launch Edition” Customers: Ethiopian Airlines and Abu Dhabi Aviation joined as initial customers in Archer’s “Launch Edition” program, aimed at early commercial deployments of the Midnight aircraft.
- AI Partnership with Palantir: Archer partnered with Palantir to develop artificial intelligence tools for next-gen aviation systems, targeting improvements in operational safety and autonomy.
- New York Air Taxi Plans with United Airlines: Archer and United Airlines detailed their initiative to offer 5–15-minute air taxi rides connecting Manhattan with local airports, replacing lengthy car commutes.
- Strong Financial Position: Archer ended Q1 with $1.03 billion in cash and equivalents, and GAAP operating expenses of $144 million. Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA loss was $109 million, in line with expectations.
- Q2 Outlook: The company expects adjusted EBITDA losses of $100–$120 million for the second quarter as it ramps up commercialization efforts.
Stock Price Movement
$ACHR shares surged 22.9% on the day of the announcement.
$GM Brings In Former Tesla and Aurora Exec as Product Chief
General Motors ($GM) has appointed Sterling Anderson, co-founder and former chief product officer of autonomous trucking company Aurora, as its new executive vice president, global product, and chief product officer. Anderson will join GM on June 2, 2025, reporting directly to GM President Mark Reuss and will be based at the company’s Mountain View Tech Center in California.
Anderson will be responsible for overseeing the full product lifecycle of GM’s gas-powered and electric vehicles, including hardware, software, services, and user experience. According to GM, this appointment comes at a pivotal moment for the company as it accelerates development cycles and deepens integration between hardware and software to deliver a more seamless customer experience.
Anderson brings a strong background in both automotive engineering and software innovation. Prior to co-founding Aurora in 2017—recently known for launching America’s first commercial, fully driverless trucking service—he led the Model X program at Tesla and managed the development of Tesla Autopilot. He holds a Ph.D. from MIT, where he contributed to early research in semi-autonomous vehicle systems.
GM Chair and CEO Mary Barra said Anderson “will help accelerate the pace of progress,” while Anderson noted that GM is well positioned to capitalize on recent technological breakthroughs, adding, “the world is at an inflection point.”
Stock Price Movement
Investors welcomed the appointment of Sterling Anderson, with GM shares rising 4.4% on the day of the announcement.
UnitedHealth ($UNH) Group Turmoil
UnitedHealth Group ($UNH), one of the largest health insurance and healthcare services providers in the U.S., is facing a period of deep uncertainty following a series of major events including a leadership shakeup, downgraded financial guidance, and mounting legal challenges.
CEO Resigns Amid Crisis
On May 13, 2025, CEO Andrew Witty abruptly resigned, citing “personal reasons.” His exit comes just months after the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in December 2024—an event that rattled the company and intensified scrutiny. UnitedHealth’s longtime chairman and former CEO Stephen Hemsley has been reappointed as CEO. Witty will remain as a senior adviser during the transition.
Stock Plunge and Withdrawn Outlook
The announcement triggered a sharp market reaction. UnitedHealth shares dropped over 17% on the day, reflecting shaken investor confidence. The company also suspended its full-year 2025 outlook, citing ongoing unpredictability around medical costs and Medicare Advantage trends.
Previous Guidance Slashed
In April 2025, UnitedHealth lowered its earnings forecast, blaming unexpectedly high utilization of healthcare services—particularly among Medicare Advantage members—and reimbursement shortfalls in its Optum division. The adjusted EPS forecast was cut by more than $3 per share, with the company now projecting adjusted EPS of $26.00 to $26.50, down from an earlier $29.50–$30.00.
DOJ Criminal Investigation Report and Company Response
On May 14, the Wall Street Journal reported that UnitedHealth is under a criminal investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice regarding possible Medicare fraud—specifically, overbilling the government through inflated diagnosis codes in Medicare Advantage. The report cited unnamed sources and acknowledged that the “exact nature of the potential criminal allegations is unclear.”
Shortly after the article’s publication, UnitedHealth issued a firm denial. In a company press release, it stated:
“We have not been notified by the Department of Justice of the supposed criminal investigation reported, without official attribution, in the Wall Street Journal today. The WSJ’s reporting is deeply irresponsible, as even it admits that the ‘exact nature of the potential criminal allegations is unclear.’ We stand by the integrity of our Medicare Advantage program.”
Stock Price Movement
$UNH stock plunged 17% on Tuesday following the withdrawal of financial guidance and the announcement of CEO Andrew Witty’s resignation. The decline continued on Wednesday amid additional pressure from a Wall Street Journal report alleging a potential DOJ investigation.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell securities. The content is based on publicly available information and reflects the author’s opinions as of the publication date, which may change without notice. All investments carry inherent risks, including the potential loss of principal, and past performance is not indicative of future results. Forward-looking statements, including references to projected revenues, market trends, or business developments, are based on current expectations and assumptions. Actual results may differ due to various factors, including regulatory changes, economic conditions, competitive pressures, and unforeseen market fluctuations. Readers should conduct their own research or consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions. BBAE holds no position in the securities mentioned, nor are they compensated by the companies mentioned.
