Street Calls of the Week

Investing.com -- British aerospace tech company Vertical Aerospace Ltd (NYSE:EVTL) launched its U.S. tour in New York earlier this month, where its new commercial aircraft Valo was put on display. The event, which follows the launch of eVTOL in London in December 2025, marks the next step of the company’s engagement with stakeholders ahead of entry into service following regulatory approval expected in 2028. The next stop on the tour is Miami in February.

Following the New York event, Investing.com caught up with the company’s CEO Stuart Simpson to learn more about what the company has achieved in 2025, key 2026 milestones investors should be watching, funding plans and the road to profitability. 

What does Valo’s New York tour represent for Vertical at this stage of the company’s development, and why is this an important milestone for the business?

The New York event – the first stop on the U.S. Valo tour – marks a major milestone in Vertical’s transition from prototype developer to aerospace manufacturer. This is the first time U.S. investors have had the chance to see why Valo is the best eVTOL on the market in terms of capability, comfort, design and safety.

We’ve had hundreds of people marvel at Valo and its unique design differentiators – such as a segregated pilot cockpit from passengers – integral for safety, pilot training, privacy and comfort. Passengers have the largest cabin in the space – at our New York launch, this was suggested that it was akin to sitting in a Maybach. We have the only luggage hold in the industry with enough space for 70lbs of luggage per person.

The US tour highlights Vertical’s commitment to growing its presence in an incredibly important market and home to key customers and partners, including American Airlines and Bristow, Tier-1 aerospace suppliers like Honeywell, and other experienced operators. Seeing is believing and we’re looking forward to showing Valo in more markets across the U.S. this year.

New York is a natural proving ground given its density, congestion, premium travel demand, and existing heliport network. As part of expanding future US operations, Vertical is working with Bristow and Skyports to explore electric air travel routes in and out of Manhattan, using existing heliport infrastructure such as Downtown Skyport.

These routes are intended to cut multi-hour journeys – like JFK to Manhattan – to just minutes by air.

You’re targeting certification and entry into service in 2028. What are the key milestones between now and then that investors should watch most closely? What are some of the regulatory challenges you might face?

In a nascent industry, it can be difficult for investors to see through the ‘hype,’ but there are certain metrics investors should be looking for – technology, capital efficiency, certification progress, and customer traction – all of which Vertical leads in.

2025 was a year of execution for Vertical. We delivered tangible results and demonstrated meaningful progress in the areas that matter most to long-term value creation. With major technical milestones achieved, new strategic partnerships secured, and the unveiling of Valo, we have entered 2026 focused on scaling execution and translating momentum into sustained commercial success.

This year investors can expect:

• Piloted Transition Flight – the final flight phase. This is the critical de-risk of the technology platform and marks the defining capability of eVTOL aircraft. Successful transition proves the core flight dynamics and is a fundamental technical de-risk. Vertical will be only the second eVTOL OEM to conduct piloted transition flight and the first under the strict regulatory scrutiny mandated in the U.K./EU.
• Build complete of our final prototype, enabling significant public flight demonstrations – particularly in the U.K. – and hybrid-electric flight tests. We will be retrofitting a gas turbine to this prototype and after flying it pure battery-electric, we will fly it hybrid later this year. This will be a meaningful moment for the industry as the first piloted hybrid-electric eVTOL flight.
• Announcements of new partnerships, customers, and suppliers.
• Additional stops on the U.S. Valo Tour, with Miami next at the end of February, then other U.S. cities.

On the regulatory front, it’s important to note that certification is much clearer for Vertical compared to U.S. peers in many thanks to EASA’s / CAA’s defined pathway with SC-VTOL and the rigor of our Permit to Fly flight-test regime. The Permit to Fly regime means it is far more challenging to conduct flight tests in Europe – but effectively front-loads the certification efforts – so Vertical along with our home regulators in the U.K./Europe are well acquainted with our aircraft, how we have designed it, our processes and our people. This will allow a more seamless pathway to certification.

Europe has real pedigree in this space. In fact, EASA has already certified the Pipistrel Velis Electro, the world’s first electric aircraft with a type certificate, and Safran’s electric engine.

While we are still a few years away, we have begun to line up certification partners and work together with regulators to maintain momentum and confidence in our timeline.

For investors concerned about dilution risk amid planned capital raises, especially given steady cash requirements at the company, what does the road to profitability look like?

We are targeting cash breakeven by Q4 2029 and are targeting positive net operating cash flow exceeding $100 million by 2030. This is supported by our leading capital efficiency, which is ingrained into everything we do.

We will achieve piloted transition flight – the critical and final flight test phase – for >$1B less than our peers. We are delivering industry-leading results for industry-leading capital efficiency.

We are targeting a further $700M in additional funding to reach certification towards the end of 2028. As we look ahead, the company is in conversation with strategic investors to support our ramp towards commercialization.

We are not only on track to deliver certification by our timeline, but we are doing so with unmatched capital discipline – creating a faster path to returns for our shareholders.

How ready is the market for Valo? What level of demand do you foresee for the different use cases planned versus alternative modes of transport?

The TAM of both eVTOLs and hybrid electric aircraft is significant – Morgan Stanley reported $1trn by 2040 and $9trn by 2050. This isn’t a race to be first – it’s a deep market that won’t be winner takes all.

We’re positioned to deliver 175 aircraft (eVTOL and hybrid) by 2030, scaling to ~900 aircraft produced annually at scale in 2035, reflecting strong demand and the launch of the hybrid-electric variant.

Particularly with the hybrid-electric variant, we see potential to unlock new markets in logistics, emergency services, and defense where payload, range, and uncrewed capabilities are essential.

Can you tell us a bit about plans to scale the offering down the road once regulatory approval comes through? Will the focus be more on expanding to major hubs across the world beyond the U.K. and U.S., or on scaling services across segments?

Vertical’s growth will be underpinned by three key business lines – sales of Valo (our electric aircraft) and the hybrid-electric variant, as well as battery-as-a-service supporting new and existing customers.

We are the only eVTOL company certifying to the highest global safety standard – the same as commercial airliners – which means we are uniquely positioned to operate globally once certified. Peers certified to lower standards will not be able to operate in higher requirement jurisdictions, such as the EU and U.K. While this path demands more time, data, and discipline, it is the only path that leads to global scale, safe operations, and durable credibility.

This is key to our ability to scale and implies Vertical will have a geographic moat around these higher requirement jurisdictions for the initial years of operation, which supports topline forecasts.

We have the second largest order book in the industry – with 1,500 pre-orders – across a globally diversified end user base and expect Valo to enter into service with our global airline, lessor, and operator customers across Japan, Brazil, U.S., U.K., and more following certification in 2028.

We’re also the only eVTOL program backed by a top-tier aircraft lessor (Avolon) which will diversify our customer base and accelerate global adoption.

Investing.com -- U.S. banks continue to dominate global capital markets, and the gap with their European peers shows little sign of closing, despite recent progress by some lenders on the continent.

Over the past decade, major U.S. investment banks have generated returns on equity of roughly 10%, compared with about 7% for large European peers. The difference has been driven largely by stronger investment banking and trading revenues in the United States, where deeper domestic capital markets, scale advantages and sustained technology investment have reinforced market leadership.

Institutions such as JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley have consolidated their positions across advisory, equity and debt capital markets, and sales and trading.

According to Dealogic data, U.S. banks have occupied the top five global investment banking revenue slots for much of the past decade, underscoring how difficult it has been for non-U.S. firms to compete at scale.

European banks entered that period from a weaker starting point. Many spent years restructuring, de-risking and retrenching from capital-intensive or volatile businesses following the global financial crisis and the euro zone debt turmoil.

Deutsche Bank exited global equities trading in 2019, while HSBC Holdings said in 2025 it would wind down parts of its mergers and acquisitions and equity capital markets operations in Europe and North America.

That retrenchment allowed U.S. banks to expand market share, particularly in global investment banking and equities trading. U.S. institutions now account for more than three-quarters of global equities and fixed-income trading revenues, helped by heavy investment in technology that has sharply reduced costs per trade even as volumes have surged.

European banks have, however, begun to regain ground in selected areas. Since 2019, capital markets revenues at European lenders have grown at similar rates to their U.S. peers, albeit from a much smaller base.

Improved capital positions, stronger earnings and a “higher for longer” interest-rate environment have enabled more focused investment, particularly in regional investment banking franchises across EMEA and parts of Asia.

Even so, consolidation is unlikely to be a silver bullet. While the European Central Bank has encouraged bank mergers, national barriers and limited cross-border synergies make it hard to create a European champion with the scale to rival U.S. giants in global capital markets.

The result is a narrowing of gaps in pockets, not a convergence. European banks may strengthen their positions at home, but U.S. dominance in global capital markets looks set to persist into 2026 and beyond.

Investing.com -- Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) Chief Executive Bob Iger has told associates that he plans to step down as CEO and pull back from daily management before the Dec. 31 end of his contract, according to reporting from The Wall Street Journal citing people familiar with the matter. The entertainment giant’s board of directors is planning to meet next week at its Burbank headquarters to vote on a successor.

Iger has expressed readiness to move on from the daily grind and was reportedly frustrated by recent internal conflicts regarding the brief suspension of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel. He told one associate that he wanted to give his successor a “fresh start” and that lingering until the end of the year would hinder the new leader, according to The Journal's report.

Beyond corporate strategy, the chief executive reportedly intends to spend more time sailing his new superyacht, the Aquarius, and working with his wife, Willow Bay, on their women’s soccer team. He has signaled that the timing of his final exit remains fluid and could change based on the needs of the transition.

The race for the top job has reportedly narrowed to two internal frontrunners: Disney Experiences chairman Josh D’Amaro and entertainment co-chairman Dana Walden. According to Kalshi prediction markets, D’Amaro currently holds an 86% chance of being named the next CEO, compared to 16% for Walden.

Disney’s board, led by former Morgan Stanley CEO James Gorman, has kept the selection process under tight wraps to avoid the chaos that followed Iger’s first departure in 2020. During that period, Iger’s hand-picked successor Bob Chapek clashed frequently with his predecessor, who headed the board at the time, before being ousted in 2022.

The company stated in a recent filing that internal candidates are currently receiving mentoring from Iger and external coaches ahead of the board's final decision. Iger is expected to remain in his post for several months after the announcement to ensure a smooth handoff to the new leadership.

Investing.com – U.S. stocks were lower after the close on Friday, as losses in the Basic Materials, Technology and Industrials sectors led shares lower.

At the close in NYSE, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.36%, while the S&P 500 index lost 0.43%, and the NASDAQ Composite index declined 0.94%.

The best performers of the session on the Dow Jones Industrial Average were Verizon Communications Inc (NYSE:VZ), which rose 11.83% or 4.71 points to trade at 44.52 at the close. Meanwhile, Chevron Corp (NYSE:CVX) added 3.34% or 5.71 points to end at 176.90 and Coca-Cola Co (NYSE:KO) was up 1.88% or 1.38 points to 74.81 in late trade.

The worst performers of the session were Visa Inc Class A (NYSE:V), which fell 2.99% or 9.93 points to trade at 321.87 at the close. 3M Company (NYSE:MMM) declined 2.06% or 3.22 points to end at 153.16 and Unitedhealth Group (NYSE:UNH) was down 1.83% or 5.36 points to 286.93.

The top performers on the S&P 500 were Deckers Outdoor Corporation (NYSE:DECK) which rose 19.46% to 119.34, Verizon Communications Inc (NYSE:VZ) which was up 11.83% to settle at 44.52 and Charter Communications Inc (NASDAQ:CHTR) which gained 7.62% to close at 206.12.

The worst performers were KLA Corporation (NASDAQ:KLAC) which was down 15.24% to 1,427.94 in late trade, Newmont Goldcorp Corp (NYSE:NEM) which lost 11.49% to settle at 112.35 and Western Digital Corporation (NASDAQ:WDC) which was down 10.12% to 250.23 at the close.

The top performers on the NASDAQ Composite were eLong Power Holding Ltd (NASDAQ:ELPW) which rose 3,141.11% to 13.94, Phoenix Asia Holdings Ltd (NASDAQ:PHOE) which was up 997.44% to settle at 133.12 and Innovation Beverage Group Ltd (NASDAQ:IBG) which gained 456.72% to close at 3.73.

The worst performers were Kaixin Auto Holdings (NASDAQ:KXIN) which was down 88.15% to 1.20 in late trade, Brand Engagement Network Inc (NASDAQ:BNAI) which lost 52.97% to settle at 24.75 and Twin Hospitality Group Inc (NASDAQ:TWNP) which was down 43.38% to 0.15 at the close.

Falling stocks outnumbered advancing ones on the New York Stock Exchange by 1645 to 1085 and 95 ended unchanged; on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange, 2198 fell and 1216 advanced, while 143 ended unchanged.

Shares in Chevron Corp (NYSE:CVX) rose to 3-years highs; gaining 3.34% or 5.71 to 176.90. Shares in Coca-Cola Co (NYSE:KO) rose to all time highs; gaining 1.88% or 1.38 to 74.81. Shares in Kaixin Auto Holdings (NASDAQ:KXIN) fell to all time lows; losing 88.15% or 8.93 to 1.20. Shares in Phoenix Asia Holdings Ltd (NASDAQ:PHOE) rose to all time highs; rising 997.44% or 120.99 to 133.12. Shares in Twin Hospitality Group Inc (NASDAQ:TWNP) fell to all time lows; falling 43.38% or 0.12 to 0.15.

The CBOE Volatility Index, which measures the implied volatility of S&P 500 options, was up 3.26% to 17.43.

Gold Futures for April delivery was down 8.61% or 460.84 to $4,893.96 a troy ounce. Elsewhere in commodities trading, Crude oil for delivery in March rose 0.50% or 0.33 to hit $65.75 a barrel, while the April Brent oil contract rose 0.40% or 0.28 to trade at $69.87 a barrel.

EUR/USD was down 0.99% to 1.19, while USD/JPY rose 1.09% to 154.78.

The US Dollar Index Futures was up 0.88% at 96.98.

Investing.com – Canada stocks were lower after the close on Friday, as losses in the Materials, IT and Industrials sectors led shares lower.

At the close in Toronto, the S&P/TSX Composite lost 3.31%.

The best performers of the session on the S&P/TSX Composite were Brookfield Renewable Energy Partners LP (TSX:BEP_u), which rose 6.03% or 2.31 points to trade at 40.62 at the close. Meanwhile, 5N Plus Inc. (TSX:VNP) added 3.57% or 0.83 points to end at 24.08 and Bausch Health Companies Inc (TSX:BHC) was up 3.44% or 0.26 points to 7.81 in late trade.

The worst performers of the session were NovaGold Resources Inc (TSX:NG), which fell 19.91% or 2.95 points to trade at 11.87 at the close. First Majestic Silver Corp. (TSX:AG) declined 16.45% or 5.58 points to end at 28.35 and Perpetua Resources Corp (TSX:PPTA) was down 16.28% or 7.04 points to 36.19.

Falling stocks outnumbered advancing ones on the Toronto Stock Exchange by 588 to 399 and 59 ended unchanged.

Shares in 5N Plus Inc. (TSX:VNP) rose to all time highs; gaining 3.57% or 0.83 to 24.08.

The S&P/TSX 60 VIX, which measures the implied volatility of S&P/TSX Composite options, was up 26.46% to 19.31 a new 1-month high.

Gold Futures for April delivery was down 8.51% or 455.80 to $4,899.00 a troy ounce. Elsewhere in commodities trading, Crude oil for delivery in March rose 0.57% or 0.37 to hit $65.79 a barrel, while the April Brent oil contract rose 0.46% or 0.32 to trade at $69.91 a barrel.

CAD/USD was down 0.96% to 0.73, while CAD/EUR unchanged 0.05% to 0.62.

The US Dollar Index Futures was up 0.88% at 96.98.

Investing.com – Colombia stocks were lower after the close on Friday, as losses in the Financials, Investment and Public Services sectors led shares lower.

At the close in Colombia, the COLCAP declined 0.75%.

The best performers of the session on the COLCAP were Etb (BVC:ETB), which rose 7.53% or 3.50 points to trade at 50.00 at the close. Meanwhile, Grupo Bolivar SA (BVC:SCA) added 1.04% or 1,000.00 points to end at 97,500.00 and Ecopetrol SA (BVC:ECO) was up 0.43% or 10.00 points to 2,350.00 in late trade.

The worst performers of the session were Mineros SA (BVC:MAS), which fell 3.57% or 780.00 points to trade at 21,080.00 at the close. Grupo Energia Bogota SA ESP (BVC:GEB) declined 2.95% or 100.00 points to end at 3,295.00 and Banco Davivienda Pf (BVC:DVI_p) was down 2.76% or 800.00 points to 28,200.00.

Falling stocks outnumbered advancing ones on the Colombia Stock Exchange by 0 to 0 and 1 ended unchanged.

Shares in Grupo Bolivar SA (BVC:SCA) rose to 3-years highs; up 1.04% or 1,000.00 to 97,500.00.

US coffee C for March delivery was down 3.50% or 12.10 to $333.40 . Elsewhere in commodities trading, US cocoa for delivery in March rose 0.55% or 23.00 to hit $4,200.00 , while the April Gold Futures contract fell 8.28% or 443.35 to trade at $4,911.45 a troy ounce.

USD/COP was up 0.90% to 3,673.85, while BRL/COP fell 0.53% to 698.12.

The US Dollar Index Futures was up 0.88% at 96.98.