Should I Buy General Motors (GM)? Finance YouTuber Analysis

The analyst notes GM's shares are up significantly since late 2023 and the stock is still relatively cheap at a 6x forward P/E. However, he is watching for potential red flags in the upcoming earnings report, specifically if revenue continues to fall or if there is margin pressure, which would indicate weakening consumer confidence and spending.

“If we do see revenue continue to fall for General Motors and you see any sort of margin pressure, whether it's gross margin, that's going to be the biggest thing I'm going to watch or also their operating margin, it's going to be a little bit of a red red flag for the economy.” — ▶ 4:40

The YouTuber recommends General Motors, highlighting its low price-to-free-cash-flow ratio of 4-5x, driven by strong sales of high-margin trucks and SUVs. He emphasizes the company's aggressive share buyback program (20% of shares outstanding) and solid balance sheet, which provides resilience during market pullbacks. He also sees long-term potential in EVs and autonomy.

“I think GM is a much better and more stable business than a lot of people think.” — ▶ Watch clip

The analyst is invested in General Motors, citing its 80% ownership of Cruise, which he views as pure upside for investors. He argues that GM is an auto business generating cash flow, trading at a low price-to-earnings multiple (5-6x), and investors essentially get the Cruise business for free, unlike more expensive companies like Tesla with unproven technology.

“the one company that I'm invested in that I think has huge upside is actually General Motors they are about an 80% owner of cruise the cruise business is basically pure upside for investors so you're not paying for a very expensive company like Tesla that doesn't have proven technology you're paying for an auto business this is generating cash flow you're only paying about five or six times earnings and you get Cruise for free” — ▶ 7:00

Travis Hoium argues that GM's sale of its stake in a battery plant is a strategic move to increase flexibility and potentially lower costs, rather than a pullback from EVs. He believes this allows GM to focus on its core strengths and leverage specialized battery manufacturers, ultimately benefiting the company by simplifying its supply chain and potentially leading to stock buybacks.

“I think this is really a move that's going to give them more flexibility could potentially lower their costs in the future and GM did announce a joint venture earlier this year with Samsung SDI that's going to be to build Prismatic cells in Indiana so a similar structure that to what they had with LG but on the Prismatic side so you can see that GM is kind of trying to play everybody in the market get the lowest costs while having as much Supply as they possibly can so from a business model perspective this makes a lot of sense for GM could actually be a win for LG as well because they are going to be able to sell to other customers” — ▶ 10:00

The analyst remains bullish on GM because the company has refocused on its profitable internal combustion engine (ICE) truck and SUV market, which is described as a 'cash flow machine.' Unlike Ford, GM is also aggressively buying back shares, which is seen as a long-term boost for the stock.

“I remain bullish on GM because they have focused on that cash flow machine the other thing that came up on the conference call is that management is not being really aggressive buying back stocks shares trade for about five times forward earnings that's analyst estimates over the next year that would be a great time to buyback stock if you have the cash and you think that you're going to and you think your stock is undervalued but Ford is not doing that GM on the other hand buying back about 20% of its shares outstanding on an annualized basis so they're being very aggressive with BuyBacks that's going to at least longterm give a boost to the stock.” — ▶ 10:00

The YouTuber discusses GM's recent earnings report, noting the stock was down despite strong results due to a $600 million write-down related to the Cruise Origin vehicle and changes in their China strategy. He argues that the market's negative reaction is an oversimplification, as the Cruise strategy shift to using the Chevy Bolt reduces regulatory risk and unit costs, making it a more pragmatic approach for scaling autonomous driving. He implies that the market is overlooking these positive strategic adjustments.

“GM announced phenomenal earnings today it's Tuesday so they announced them this morning and yet the stock is down 6% so it's a little bit strange what the reaction is” — ▶ 3:00

The YouTuber believes GM is a strong buy despite a post-earnings drop, citing phenomenal quarterly results, increased guidance, and aggressive share buybacks at a low P/E multiple of around 5x. He highlights GM's pricing power in trucks/SUVs and a prudent, profitable approach to EVs, contrasting with competitors losing money. The company's commitment to buying back stock when the price is low is seen as highly accretive.

“as a shareholder and a long-term shareholder I don't see any reason to sell shares and this may be a stock that I would add over the next couple of months” — ▶ 10:00

The YouTuber suggests buying General Motors, highlighting its extremely low trailing P/E of 5.8 and forward P/E of 4.9. He emphasizes the company's strong free cash flow generation, significant share buyback program (including a recent accelerated repurchase), and stable business model focused on trucks and SUVs, while also making progress in EVs.

“GM is going to use a bunch of their cash to buy back shares at a price to earnings multiple ranging between four and six that is just a really really attractive price to be buying back a stock.” — ▶ 3:40

The YouTuber recommends General Motors, noting that the removal of EA tariffs significantly reduces the cost burden on US-assembled vehicles, estimated at $2,000-$3,000 per car. This provides a substantial boost to margins, especially for companies like General Motors that operate on thinner margins.

“Back of the napkin math says that the tariff relief could mean between 2 and 4 billion swing per company for both Ford and General Motors.” — ▶ 12:30