QuantumScape (NYSE:QS) Shares Gap Down on Disappointing Earnings

QuantumScape Corporation (NYSE:QS) shares gapped down prior to trading on Thursday following a dissappointing earnings announcement. The stock had previously closed at $8.82, but opened at $8.18. QuantumScape shares last traded at $7.9640, with a volume of 7,153,194 shares.

The company reported ($0.17) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.16) by ($0.01). During the same period last year, the business earned ($0.22) earnings per share. QuantumScape’s revenue was up .0% on a year-over-year basis.

More QuantumScape News

Here are the key news stories impacting QuantumScape this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Progress on manufacturing: management highlighted pilot production (Eagle Line) activity and ongoing scale-up that supports future commercialization potential. Business Wire: Q4 Results & Business Update
• Positive Sentiment: Improving headline losses: Q4 loss narrowed year‑over‑year (from $0.22 to $0.17 per share), showing some operating progress versus prior periods. MSN: Loss Narrows
• Neutral Sentiment: Full Q4 disclosure and management commentary are available (earnings release, shareholder letter, and webcast) — useful for detailed modeling but not market moving by itself. MarketBeat: Q4 Report & Call
• Neutral Sentiment: Earnings call transcript and highlights summarize strategy (product milestones, licensing focus); review for guidance specifics and timing assumptions. Yahoo Finance: Q4 Earnings Highlights
• Negative Sentiment: Earnings miss & market reaction: Q4 EPS of ($0.17) missed consensus by $0.01 and shares fell steeply on the print and investor disappointment. SchaeffersResearch: Stock Tumbles After Q4
• Negative Sentiment: Higher cash burn outlook: company outlined a $250M–$275M adjusted EBITDA loss target for 2026 and signaled increased FY26 capex — this raises near‑term financing and dilution risk. Seeking Alpha: 2026 EBITDA Loss Target
• Negative Sentiment: Volatility and sentiment risks persist: analysts and commentary note high short interest and historically large intraday moves, increasing downside risk on any incremental execution or financing concerns. Barron’s: Volatility & Short Interest

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have recently commented on QS shares. HSBC cut shares of QuantumScape from a “hold” rating to a “reduce” rating and boosted their target price for the stock from $5.30 to $10.50 in a research note on Wednesday, November 19th. TD Cowen reiterated a “hold” rating on shares of QuantumScape in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft set a $10.00 target price on QuantumScape and gave the company a “hold” rating in a report on Thursday, October 23rd. Robert W. Baird set a $12.00 price target on QuantumScape in a research note on Thursday. Finally, Morgan Stanley assumed coverage on QuantumScape in a research report on Monday, December 8th. They set an “equal weight” rating and a $12.00 price target for the company. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Reduce” and a consensus target price of $9.28.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Jeffrey B. Straubel sold 27,106 shares of QuantumScape stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, January 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $11.28, for a total transaction of $305,755.68. Following the sale, the director owned 239,722 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,704,064.16. The trade was a 10.16% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director Dipender Saluja sold 2,613,121 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $11.01, for a total value of $28,770,462.21. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 9,892,934 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $108,921,203.34. The trade was a 20.89% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders have sold 4,257,169 shares of company stock worth $48,407,629 over the last quarter. 5.48% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of QuantumScape

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. VSM Wealth Advisory LLC lifted its position in QuantumScape by 46.8% in the third quarter. VSM Wealth Advisory LLC now owns 2,352 shares of the company’s stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 750 shares during the last quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. lifted its holdings in shares of QuantumScape by 0.7% in the 3rd quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. now owns 120,753 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,488,000 after acquiring an additional 810 shares during the last quarter. Wedmont Private Capital boosted its position in shares of QuantumScape by 5.7% during the 3rd quarter. Wedmont Private Capital now owns 15,115 shares of the company’s stock worth $186,000 after purchasing an additional 815 shares during the period. Coldstream Capital Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of QuantumScape by 8.2% during the 3rd quarter. Coldstream Capital Management Inc. now owns 12,408 shares of the company’s stock worth $153,000 after purchasing an additional 939 shares during the period. Finally, Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB increased its holdings in QuantumScape by 67.0% in the 3rd quarter. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB now owns 2,505 shares of the company’s stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 1,005 shares during the last quarter. 29.87% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

QuantumScape Trading Down 12.0%

The company has a quick ratio of 21.14, a current ratio of 21.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $10.51 and a 200-day simple moving average of $11.53. The company has a market cap of $4.67 billion, a PE ratio of -9.58 and a beta of 2.51.

About QuantumScape

QuantumScape Corporation is a development-stage company specializing in the research and commercialization of next-generation solid-state lithium-metal batteries for electric vehicles. The company’s core technology replaces the traditional liquid electrolyte with a solid ceramic separator, aiming to deliver higher energy density, faster charging times and enhanced safety compared to conventional lithium-ion cells. QuantumScape’s product roadmap focuses on enabling electric vehicle manufacturers to extend driving range and reduce charging downtime, addressing key barriers to widespread EV adoption.

Founded in 2010 and headquartered in San Jose, California, QuantumScape has attracted significant strategic investment and formed partnerships with leading automotive OEMs.