Futuristic air taxi maker Archer Aviation Inc. (NYSE: ACHR), known for its electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, was battered throughout 2025. The company's share price zig-zagged for several months but ended down almost 18% overall for the year as Archer and others in the emerging eVTOL space await FAA approval of this class of aircraft.
2026 may provide the impetus Archer needs to achieve sustainable appreciation once again. The company is exploring new revenue streams, has a balance sheet that should provide it with flexibility while it continues to wait for mass commercialization opportunities, and, perhaps most importantly, is making real strides in executing its vision of a new type of short-distance travel. Analysts are broadly bullish that Archer can continue to make progress this year, as two-thirds of firms rating the stock call it a Buy and Wall Street expects almost 54% in potential upside to ACHR's price. Below, we look more closely at what might prompt Archer to achieve lift-off this year.
