Ford Shares Jump Nearly 20% in 2 Days as Ford Energy Fuels AI Data Center Buzz
Updated
Updated · CNBC · May 14
Ford Shares Jump Nearly 20% in 2 Days as Ford Energy Fuels AI Data Center Buzz
7 articles · Updated · CNBC · May 14
Ford rose 6.7% Thursday after a 13% jump Wednesday, extending a two-day gain to nearly 20% as investors piled into its new Ford Energy business.
Morgan Stanley's Tuesday note called Ford Energy an underappreciated profit driver for Model e and said Ford could win energy-storage supply deals with large commercial customers and hyperscalers within months.
Ford Energy will sell U.S.-assembled battery storage systems to utilities, data centers and industrial customers, turning attention to Ford as a potential "hidden data center beneficiary," Barclays said.
The excitement also reflects Ford's use of CATL technology through its $3.5 billion Michigan battery plant, a structure analysts say could preserve U.S. control while navigating tariff and foreign-entity scrutiny.
The rally far outpaced the broader market—Wednesday's 13% surge came as the S&P 500 gained about 0.6%—and Barclays said the move showed Ford can occasionally tap meme-style trading tied to AI enthusiasm.
Is Ford's new battery venture a lifeline for its EV losses, or just another expensive gamble?
Can Ford's risky Chinese tech deal secure billions in U.S. tax credits without ceding control?
Ford’s $10 Billion Energy Storage Pivot: Strategic Shift to Power Data Centers and Utilities
Overview
On May 13, 2026, Ford's stock soared as investors responded to the company's bold move into the energy storage sector. This surge followed a research note from Morgan Stanley analyst Andrew Percoco, who highlighted the strong potential of Ford's new Energy Storage business. Despite earlier skepticism due to Ford's $2 billion investment and a major write-down in its electric vehicle division, Percoco's analysis shifted investor sentiment. A key factor was Ford's licensing agreement with CATL, a leading energy storage manufacturer, which gave Ford a unique competitive advantage and renewed market confidence in its strategic direction.