Hi there,

If you could get one original stock research note every weekday morning—without digging through headlines—would you want it?

That’s what American Market News SMS Alertsare built for.

Here’s what you’ll get:

• 1 original stock analysis / research pieceeach weekday morning
• Written to be clear, timely, and actionable—no fluff
• A fast way to stay informed and invest with more clarity

If you’d like to start receiving these by text, opt in here:

👉 Get AMN Morning Research Alerts

You can cancel anytime by replying STOP. Msg and data rates may apply.

Jessica Mitacek
Managing Editor
American Market News

---

This Week’s Exclusive News

Vertical Aerospace: Commercial Wins, Stock Price Lows

Submitted by Jeffrey Neal Johnson. Published: 2/7/2026. 

Key Takeaways

• Vertical has secured major commercial agreements in India and Japan to expand its global footprint and validate commercial demand for its electric aircraft.
• Selecting a certified propulsion partner marks a critical step toward stabilizing the supply chain and de-risking the path to future certification.
• The company has expanded its flight-testing capacity by operating multiple active prototypes to accelerate development and meet critical engineering milestones.

February 2026 has presented a stark contradiction for investors in Vertical Aerospace (NYSE: EVTL). On the surface, the electric aircraft manufacturer looks to be firing on all cylinders. During the first week of the month, the company announced major market entries in India and Japan, secured government grants in Singapore, and locked in a critical propulsion partner for its flagship aircraft.

Yet the market tells a different story. Vertical Aerospace’s share price has retreated sharply, falling roughly 33% over the last month to trade near $4 as of Feb. 5.

The biggest scam in the history of gold markets is unwinding (Ad)

There are 90 paper gold claims for every real ounce in COMEX vaults. Ninety promises, one ounce of metal. It’s like musical chairs with 90 players and one chair. COMEX gold inventory dropped 25 percent last year alone as gold flows East to Shanghai, Mumbai, and Moscow. On March 31st, contract holders can demand delivery. When similar situations arose in the past, markets closed and rules changed. Paper holders got crushed while mining stock holders made fortunes. One stock sits at the center of this crisis.Get the full story on this opportunity now.

This divergence between operational progress and market sentiment creates a confusing picture. Even as the company builds its order pipeline and solidifies its supply chain, Wall Street appears focused on two looming concerns: the company’s capital structure and the timing of a critical flight test.

For investors, the key question is whether the price drop reflects a fundamental failure of the business or a temporary dislocation in which the stock has disconnected from the company’s growing intrinsic value.

From India to Japan: Stacking Real Wins

While the share chart flashed red, Vertical Aerospace’s commercial team delivered a string of substantive wins. In early February, the company announced agreements that do more than generate headlines; they validate global demand for its Valo aircraft across different regulatory environments.

The most consequential operational win was the selection of Evolito as the supplier for the aircraft’s Electric Propulsion Units (EPUs). Evolito, spun out of YASA (owned by Mercedes-Benz Group (OTCMKTS: MBGYY)), holds a Design Organisation Approval from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

For investors, that regulatory approval is a meaningful de-risking event. It clears a path for the propulsion system—the heart of any electric aircraft—to be certified for commercial use while leveraging high-performance technology with an automotive pedigree.

At the same time, Vertical opened a large new market by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with JetSetGo in India. The agreement outlines the intended purchase of 50 Valo aircraft and establishes a partnership to develop routes in one of the world’s most populous countries—an environment where eVTOLs could address severe urban congestion and infrastructure constraints.

In Japan, Vertical deepened its relationship with Marubeni. Unlike many industry partnerships that remain theoretical, this one includes pre-delivery payments to reserve aircraft, and the partners are accelerating plans for piloted demonstration flights in Osaka in 2026. Coupled with a grant from HTX/Hatch in Singapore to develop Emergency Medical Services (EMS) capabilities, Vertical is showing that its aircraft could serve public-sector needs as well as commercial markets.

The Dilution Dilemma Explained

If the commercial news is so positive, why is the stock falling? The answer lies in corporate finance and the fear of dilution. On Jan. 20, 2026, Vertical Aerospace held an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) where shareholders approved a large increase in authorized share capital—from 200 million to 1 billion ordinary shares.

For existing shareholders, that authorization signals that significant equity issuance is likely. To fund the estimated $700 million net cost required to reach certification in 2028, the company will probably need to sell more stock. When a company issues new shares, it dilutes current investors’ ownership, effectively slicing the corporate pie into smaller pieces. The market is pricing in this capital overhang and anticipating that shares may be sold at a discount to raise cash, which depresses the share price in the near term.

There is, however, a counterargument. The authorization can also be viewed as a necessary strategic war chest. In the capital-intensive aerospace sector, running out of cash is an existential threat. By securing the ability to issue shares, management has removed an immediate insolvency risk and preserved options to fund the roadmap through certification. While dilution is painful, survival is a prerequisite for long‑term value creation.

This dynamic has attracted short sellers: short interest has risen to about 20% of the public float. That crowded trade creates a high‑stakes scenario—if the company posts positive news that drives the stock up (for example, a confirmed transition flight), short sellers may rush to buy shares to close positions, potentially triggering a sharp rally in Vertical Aerospace’s stock.

The Missing Catalyst: Silence on the Runway

Beyond the finances, the market is anxiously awaiting a specific technical milestone. The company previously said its Phase 4 piloted transition flight campaign—the stage where the aircraft shifts from vertical helicopter mode to wing‑borne airplane mode—would be completed in early 2026. That campaign began in November 2025, and the absence of a “mission accomplished” announcement has heightened investor nervousness. In the absence of news, the market often assumes delays.

Operationally, however, the company’s testing capacity has quietly improved: as of January 2026, Vertical operates two full‑scale prototypes in its program. That redundancy is a material advantage—during flight testing, a single mechanical issue can ground a program for weeks. With two aircraft, the team can continue gathering data even if one unit is down for maintenance, potentially accelerating development.

While the silence on the transition flight likely contributes to the stock’s current weakness, it also creates a binary catalyst. A successful announcement of that milestone would validate the engineering and could reset market sentiment, shifting attention back to commercial momentum. Until that headline arrives, the stock may remain in a holding pattern.

High Risk, Vertical Reward?

Vertical Aerospace currently has a market capitalization of roughly $406 million. That valuation is a fraction of many of its peers, despite Vertical having a comparable commercial order book and a certified engine partner. Wall Street analysts’ average price target sits near $11.80, implying material upside from current levels if the company executes its plan.

The gap between the current share price and analyst expectations suggests a market waiting for proof. Investors are weighing the near‑certainty of future dilution against the potential payoff of a certified, commercially viable electric aircraft.

The company has built significant commercial and supply‑chain infrastructure; now it must demonstrate it can fund the journey and complete the technical milestones.

If Vertical can navigate its capital needs and deliver the transition flight, the current valuation disconnect could close quickly. For now, the stock remains a battleground between commercial momentum and financial gravity.

Thank you for subscribing to The Early Bird, MarketBeat’s 7:00 AMnewsletter that covers stories that will impact the stock market each day.

This email is a paid sponsorship for American Market News, a third-party advertiser of The Early Bird and MarketBeat. 

If you have questions or concerns about your account, don’t hesitate to contact MarketBeat’s U.S. based support team at contact@marketbeat.com.

If you no longer wish to receive email from The Early Bird, you can unsubscribe.

© 2006-2026 MarketBeat Media, LLC. 
345 N Reid Pl., Sixth Floor, Sioux Falls, South Dakota 57103. United States..

From Our Partners: Momentum Trackers Just Lit Up — Here’s Why (Click to Opt-In)