ford stock

It's an obvious, inevitable question: GM or Ford? On one view, Ford -- with its solid line of hit products and bailout-free balance sheet -- is the fiscally responsible choice. But the company known until recently as "Government Motors," trading right now in the low $20 range, is turning itself around and qualifies not only as a buy, but a steal.

GM workers ratified a collective bargaining agreement Wednesday morning, while Ford tries to pare down the average $58 an hour it currently disburses in pay and benefits. But labor relations aside, Ford -- sole refuser of government largesse -- is the company to invest in right now. Here's why.

Ford has had been nothing but full of good news lately: it recently reported a sharp rise in net income to $2.6 billion and it said that it would maintain its market share in the U.S. America for the balance of the year. So why is Wall Street pessimistic on the stock?

Stock in Ford hit levels not seen since the summer of 2004 Thursday, a day after the Dearborn, Mich., automaker reported solid sales for the month of October. The stock rose as much as 4.3% to $15.83 a share in morning trading on Wall Street.

Who would have thought Ford would emerge as one of the most innovative -- and one of the most profitable -- automakers after being declared almost dead three years ago? The stock is well off its recent high and some analysts say that's just wrong.