Rivian Stock Climbs Friday: What's Driving The Move? - Rivian Automotive (NASDAQ:RIVN)

‘It Could Soar,’ Says Top Investor About Rivian Stock

Rivian reported $1.4B in Q1 2026 revenue (+11% YoY) despite a 27% U.S. EV market contraction, with R&D spending rising to $458M as it pursues Level 4 autonomy and prepares its R2 SUV launch on June 9. The Uber deal for up to 50,000 robotaxis by 2028 is the key long-term signal, but operating expenses hit $1B in Q1 — cash burn and execution risk on both autonomy and the R2 make this a high-volatility hold for any fleet or mobility stack bet.