General Motors Poised to Announce First-Quarter Earnings Amid Industry Uncertainty

DETROIT — General Motors (GM) is set to report its first-quarter earnings before the opening bell on Tuesday, with Wall Street closely scrutinizing not just the automaker’s performance, but also its updated outlook for 2025 in light of mounting industry pressures.

Analysts anticipate adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $2.74 and revenue of $43.05 billion, according to consensus estimates compiled by LSEG. If achieved, these results would reflect a 0.1% increase in revenue and a 4.6% rise in adjusted EPS compared to the same period a year ago.

The earnings call is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. ET, during which GM executives are expected to address the company’s near-term strategies amid the ongoing challenges posed by newly imposed auto tariffs.

Tariffs Cast a Long Shadow Over Automotive Sector

President Donald Trump’s administration recently enforced a 25% tariff on imported vehicles, impacting countries including Canada, Mexico, and South Korea — all major sources of GM’s vehicle imports. The move has introduced significant volatility across the automotive sector, prompting major financial institutions such as Deutsche Bank, UBS, Barclays, and Bernstein to downgrade GM’s stock ratings earlier this month.

Despite these challenges, some analysts believe GM may still exceed first-quarter expectations. Consumer demand surged earlier this year, with buyers seeking to lock in purchases ahead of anticipated price hikes driven by tariff costs.

While GM has not formally revised its manufacturing or import strategies, subtle adjustments to North American production have been observed, suggesting the company is working behind the scenes to cushion the impact of external pressures.

Focus Shifts to 2025 Projections

Beyond the immediate quarterly figures, investors are expected to focus heavily on GM’s full-year 2025 guidance. In January, the company projected:

• Net income attributable to stockholders: between $11.2 billion and $12.5 billion

• Adjusted earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT): between $13.7 billion and $15.7 billion

• Automotive free cash flow: between $11 billion and $13 billion

However, whether GM can sustain or refine these targets under the weight of added costs from tariffs remains to be seen.

In remarks delivered earlier this year, GM CEO Mary Barra indicated that the company could mitigate up to 50% of the potential tariff costs stemming from imports from Canada and Mexico. Since those comments, no further detailed plans have been disclosed, leaving investors eager for updated clarity during today’s earnings call.

Stock Outlook Remains Resilient

Despite the headwinds, GM’s stock continues to maintain an “overweight” rating, with an average price target of $53.91 per share, according to FactSet estimates.

As GM prepares to reveal its quarterly results, the broader industry — and Wall Street alike — will be watching closely not just for the bottom-line numbers, but for critical signals about the company’s ability to navigate an increasingly complex and uncertain global market.