As electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) players Archer Aviation (ACHR) and Joby Aviation (JOBY) prepare to release their earnings in early May 2026, investors are closely comparing the two to see which offers the better opportunity. Currently, Archer stands out with a Strong Buy rating from Wall Street, while Joby carries a Hold rating. Analysts also see significantly higher upside in Archer Aviation, with potential gains of 130%, compared with about 44% for JOBY.
Meet Samuel – Your Personal Investing Prophet
High conviction ACHR bulls now have this Tradr ETFThis positive outlook is driven by Archer’s clear momentum as it moves closer to commercial flights. While Joby currently maintains a larger market cap and has achieved key certification milestones, Archer’s “Strong Buy” consensus and massive price targets give it a distinct advantage heading into its next operational update.
Using TipRanks’ Stock Comparison tool, we stacked ACHR against JOBY across several key metrics—including analyst sentiment, smart scores, and year-to-date performance—to help investors see which air taxi stock looks more attractive as we head into May earnings.
Let’s dig deeper.
What Analysts Expect from Archer’s Q1 Earnings
Archer shares are down 24% year-to-date, but the company is heading into its May 11 earnings report with several major regulatory wins. Wall Street expects a loss of $0.31 per share for the first quarter, wider than the $0.17 loss a year ago. Management has also guided for an adjusted EBITDA loss of $160 million to $180 million as it continues to spend on flight testing and manufacturing.
Even though Archer is not generating revenue yet, investors are focusing on its fast progress toward certification. The company recently became the first eVTOL firm to receive full FAA approval of its “Means of Compliance,” which sets out how its Midnight aircraft will prove it is safe for commercial use. This milestone, along with its selection for a White House pilot program across New York, Florida, and Texas, has added to confidence in its planned launch in the second half of 2026.
Looking ahead, the main focus for the May report will be whether Archer can maintain its roughly $2 billion cash position while scaling production. Investors will also watch for updates on piloted flight tests of the Midnight aircraft and any progress on its planned expansion into the UAE, which is a key part of its global strategy.
Is ACHR Stock a Buy Now?
Overall, Wall Street analysts remain highly optimistic about the company’s prospects. Based on six recent ratings, Archer Aviation boasts a “Strong Buy” consensus with an average ACHR stock price target of $13.20. This implies about 130% upside from the current price.
What Analysts Expect from Joby’s Q1 Earnings
Joby shares are down about 30% year-to-date, and the company heads into its May 5 report with a lead in the certification race. Wall Street expects a loss of about $0.20 per share for the first quarter. Revenue is seen at roughly $20.17 million, marking a sharp increase from last year as the company expands early government contracts and operations.
Joby is now in the final stage of the FAA’s certification process and is preparing for testing with FAA pilots on board. It also recently completed a week-long flight campaign in New York, including a 10-minute trip from JFK Airport to Manhattan. In addition, Joby has been selected for a White House-backed program to roll out early air taxi services across several U.S. states.
Looking ahead, the focus for the May report will be Joby’s strong cash position, which gives it a multi-year runway. Investors will also watch for updates on its planned Dubai launch and progress at its Dayton, Ohio facility, which is key to scaling production.
Is Joby Aviation Stock a Good Buy?
On TipRanks, JOBY stock has received a Hold consensus rating, with two Buys, four Holds, and two Sells assigned in the last three months. The average JOBY stock price target is $13.25, suggesting a potential upside of 43.71% from the current level.
