The Treasury says it expects to lose more than $25 billion on its bailout of the auto industry -- mostly on its GM investment. But we've also been told GM paid back the Feds. How does this add up, and what has to happen for taxpayers to get their money back?
Thanks to strong new products, hard work, and the American taxpayer, GM continued its profitable ways in the first quarter. The world's largest automaker reported a profit of $1 billion on the strength of its operations in the U.S. and China.
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.
Short sellers have significantly increased their bet that GM shares are going to drop: Short interest in the No.1 U.S. car company jumped 26.5% to 41.5 million shares in the two-week period that ended May 15.
After its near-miraculous emergence so quickly from bankruptcy, the new GM will certainly make big bucks for investors if it fulfills its potential to beat sales forecasts and earnings expectations. And, no, it wouldn't take another miracle.
At an anticipated $16 billion, General Motors' pending initial public offering was expected to be the second largest in history. Now, the No. 1 U.S. automaker is revising IPO expectations downward, anticipating it will bring in $8 billion to $10 billion when shares go public in November.