Cathie Wood的ARK投资向Archer和Joby注资1620万美元，空中出租车投资加深

Cathie Wood's ARK Invest made a decisive bet on electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft this week, snapping up roughly $16.2 million worth of shares across Archer Aviation (ACHR) and Joby Aviation (JOBY) in a single trading session. The purchases, spread across three of ARK's flagship exchange-traded funds, signal the firm's conviction that the air-taxi sector is approaching an operational turning point despite punishing selloffs in both stocks this year.

The buying spree included 2,566,731 Archer shares valued at about $11.9 million and 753,330 Joby shares worth approximately $1.3 million, based on Tuesday's closing prices. The capital was deployed through the ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK), ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF (ARKQ), and ARK Space Exploration & Innovation ETF (ARKX).

In the allocation breakdown, ARKK absorbed 1,787,367 Archer shares, ARKQ took 562,685 shares, and ARKX added 216,679 shares. For Joby, ARKQ received 543,906 shares while ARKX picked up 209,424 shares. Both stocks ticked higher in overnight trading Tuesday, with Archer gaining 0.6% and Joby edging up 0.1%.

The purchases come as both companies push forward on distinct strategic tracks. Joby has built momentum through its participation in the FAA's Electric Powered-lift Integration Program, which is advancing real-world flight operations in dense airspace. The company is working through the final phase of FAA type certification and has completed thousands of test flights, generating extensive operational data ahead of potential commercial service.

Archer, meanwhile, is broadening its footprint well beyond passenger air taxis. The company is developing defense applications through Archer Defense and has struck a deal to acquire three Boeing-owned aerospace and defense businesses in exchange for Boeing shares. Those assets include Wisk Aero, which develops electric air taxis; SkyGrid, which manages autonomous aircraft; and Insitu, a maker of surveillance and defense drones. The transaction would give Archer access to autonomous aviation technology, military drone capabilities, and airspace-management systems, while Insitu's established revenue stream could provide cash flow as the Midnight aircraft moves toward commercial deployment.

A Brutal Year for eVTOL Stocks

Despite the operational progress, both stocks have suffered steep declines in 2026. Archer shares have fallen roughly 38% year to date, while Joby has lost about 56% of its value. Investors have grown more cautious toward eVTOL companies as certification timelines stretch, expenses mount, and future financing requirements cast doubt on earlier valuations.

The financial pressures are substantial. Archer is spending heavily on aircraft development, certification, manufacturing, and expansion before Midnight generates commercial revenue at scale. Potential capital raises have added dilution concerns, leaving shares vulnerable even as the company makes operational headway.

Joby faces its own set of challenges. Beyond heavy development costs and certification uncertainty, a federal jury recently ordered the company to pay $116.9 million after finding it breached a confidentiality agreement and misappropriated trade secrets belonging to Aerosonic. The company has also broadened its plans through the acquisition of Blade Air Mobility's passenger operations, gaining an existing customer network and transportation platform. International preparations continue, including work toward launching commercial flights in Dubai.

Wall Street's Divergent Views

Analyst sentiment toward the two companies reflects their differing risk profiles. For Archer, 5 of 6 analysts covering the stock recommend buying, with one holding a neutral stance. That gives Archer a Strong Buy consensus rating, and the $11.60 average price target implies roughly 149% upside from current levels.

The picture for Joby is more mixed. Among 7 analysts covering the stock, 2 recommend buying, 3 remain on the sidelines, and 2 recommend selling — resulting in a Hold consensus rating. The $11.50 average price target still suggests about 99% upside from current levels.

Note: Purchase values based on Tuesday's closing prices. Analyst data as of the latest available coverage.

Wood's decision to buy into both names following the steep selloffs suggests ARK sees value where the broader market has retreated. The firm's positioning across its innovation, autonomous technology, and space exploration funds underscores a thesis that eVTOL technology is nearing an inflection point, driven by expanding U.S. military logistics contracts and key FAA certification milestones.

The dual-track strategy — Joby's focus on passenger certification and commercial launches versus Archer's expansion into defense and autonomous aviation — gives ARK exposure to both the near-term commercialization race and the longer-term defense opportunity. Whether that conviction pays off will depend heavily on execution against certification timelines, cost discipline, and the successful integration of Archer's Boeing-derived acquisitions.

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