Should I buy Rivian stock in 2025? Insights for South African Investors

What is Rivian?

How much is the Rivian stock?

The price of Rivian stock is falling this week. Rivian is trading at $15.01, down 3.07% over the past 24 hours and 5.69% lower compared to last week. The company’s current market capitalisation stands at $17.75 billion, with an average daily trading volume (3 months) of 32.86 million shares.

As Rivian remains unprofitable, its P/E ratio is not applicable, and there is no dividend yield at this time; the stock’s beta is 1.87, reflecting above-average volatility. With notable swings and no current dividend, Rivian attracts attention from ZA investors seeking exposure to growth and volatility in the global EV sector.

Our complete analysis of the Rivian stock

After a comprehensive review of Rivian Automotive’s latest financial results and an in-depth assessment of the stock’s performance over the past three years, we have synthesized key financial indicators, technical signals, market data, and peer comparisons through our proprietary analytical algorithm. This rigorous approach has yielded valuable insights into Rivian’s current valuation and future trajectory. So, why might Rivian stock once again become a strategic entry point into the fast-evolving electric vehicle sector in 2025?

Recent Performance and Market Context

Rivian’s recent price action has been notable for its resilience and growing momentum. As of 30 May 2025, the stock trades at $15.01, marking a 22.7% gain over the past six months and an impressive 46.8% year-on-year appreciation. Despite a brief intraday setback (-3.07%) and slight weekly volatility, Rivian has decisively outperformed many sector peers, buoyed by solid quarterly execution and the broader upturn in global tech equities.

The sectoral environment is particularly supportive: the electric vehicle (EV) market is set to expand by an estimated 32% this year, with favourable macroeconomic tailwinds such as ongoing energy transition policies, accelerating fleet electrification, and a robust shift in consumer sentiment towards sustainability. In the US, Rivian’s 100% domestic production shields it from many global supply chain disruptions, appealing to both investors and ESG-conscious buyers.

Importantly, Rivian’s solid advance in market capitalization ($17.75 billion) and elevated trading volumes signal renewed institutional and retail interest, reinforced further by headline-making strategic partnerships, most notably with Volkswagen and Amazon.

Technical Analysis

Rivian’s technical structure points to strengthening bullish momentum that appears poised to persist or even accelerate. The 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) currently stands at 62.4—an optimistic, though not overbought, reading that typically precedes upside breakouts in momentum stocks. The MACD at 1.00 delivers a clear bullish crossover, indicating upward price movement remains well-supported by recent buy-side activity.

Most notably, a “Golden Cross” was confirmed on 19 May 2025, as the 50-day moving average crossed above the 200-day moving average—a historically reliable harbinger of medium- to long-term uptrends. While short-term moving averages have flashed intermittent sell signals over the last week, the underlying long-term structure remains strongly constructive.

Support levels are well-defined, with immediate support at $15.62 and significant longer-term support at $9.96, providing a potential technical safety net. Short-term resistance at $15.83 was decisively breached mid-May, adding another layer of confirmation that Rivian may be entering a new bullish phase.

Fundamental Analysis

Rivian’s latest quarterly results exceeded expectations, underlining tangible progress towards sustainable profitability. Q1 2025 revenue surprised to the upside at $1.24 billion (vs $1.01 billion expected), and gross profit was positive for a second consecutive quarter at $206 million—a major milestone for any young manufacturer in the EV space. Notably, loss per share narrowed significantly to -$0.41 (vs -$0.76 anticipated), demonstrating both improving operating discipline and commercial traction.

• Top-line resilience: Sales and deliveries, while guided slightly lower for 2025 (40,000–46,000 units), still reflect significant annual growth opportunity as new models roll out and production efficiencies take hold.
• Balance sheet strength: With $7.18 billion in cash, Rivian is well-capitalized to weather execution risks and invest in next-generation technology.
• Innovation and brand power: Proprietary innovations (such as the Starfish Knuckle multi-link suspension in the upcoming R2 model) and a rapidly growing “Adventure Network” of fast chargers enhance product appeal and competitive differentiation.
• Attractive valuation (Price/Sales 3.26x): While conventional P/E metrics are not currently applicable, the price-to-sales and price-to-book ratios (2.85x) remain justifiable, especially in the context of Rivian’s revenue run-rate and anticipated shift to positive gross profit in 2025.

The conclusion to draw here is that Rivian’s improving fundamentals and prudent balance of growth and risk suggest the company is at a critical inflection point—historically fertile ground for outsized equity returns in the technology sector.

Volume and Liquidity

With a robust average daily trading volume of 32.86 million shares and a large float (766.55 million shares), Rivian exhibits strong liquidity—an essential ingredient of dynamic valuation and investor confidence. Such trading activity not only supports tight bid-ask spreads (critical for institutional participation), but also amplifies the stock’s responsiveness to news and business execution milestones.

This continuous flow of capital through the stock provides an attractive environment for investors seeking tactical entry points amid sector volatility, and ensures a reliable price-discovery mechanism.

Catalysts and Positive Outlook

• Volkswagen partnership: The confirmed $1 billion investment by Volkswagen Group, closing at the end of June 2025, is both a financial and strategic endorsement, opening new avenues in technology sharing and European expansion.
• Product pipeline: The R2 launch—a highly anticipated $45,000 crossover featuring next-generation suspension—may unlock broad new market segments, combining affordability with innovation.
• Amazon delivery fleet collaboration: Deepening ties with Amazon not only underpin Rivian’s enterprise sales channel but also reinforce its ESG credentials and recurring revenue streams.
• Momentum in the EV sector: With the global EV market expected to grow over 30% this year, increasing regulations and tax incentives (albeit with some uncertainty around US credits) provide a supportive demand backdrop.
• Gross profit inflection: The attainment of positive gross profit, now recorded for two consecutive quarters, signals operational leverage at scale—a leading indicator of further margin expansion.

Together, these catalysts suggest that the months ahead may provide further upside surprises and renewed buying interest from both institutional and retail investors.

Investment Strategies

• Short-term perspective: The recent breakout above key resistance and elevated trading volumes create fertile ground for tactical swing trades or momentum-driven strategies. Immediate entry near current support levels (~$15.62) could offer a tight risk/reward profile ahead of the anticipated Volkswagen capital infusion and R2 commercial rollout.
• Medium-term view: Investors seeking exposure to the accelerating EV revolution may benefit from accumulating a core position during periods of technical retracement or ahead of earnings/partnership news. Rivian’s above-peer revenue growth and positive operational inflection provide strong justification for medium-term holding.
• Long-term horizon: For those aligned with the secular growth of electrification and ESG investing, Rivian’s healthy cash buffer, innovative product pipeline, and expanding charging network suggest high conviction that the company can become a formidable long-run franchise. Positioning ahead of mass-market adoption and recurring gross profitability may deliver substantial value creation over several years.

In short, the stock appears technically and fundamentally positioned for a new positive cycle, offering diverse opportunities to suit a broad spectrum of investor objectives.

Is it the Right Time to Buy Rivian?

Synthesising Rivian’s key strengths—improving operational performance, a rich pipeline of innovations, a fortress-like balance sheet, and the endorsement of world-class partners—one can see that both the fundamental and technical narratives are converging toward a bullish outlook. The recent “Golden Cross,” positive gross profit trajectory, and robust volume all point to a new phase of market confidence.

While some regulatory risk and delivery guidance adjustments remain, these are more than offset by strategic capital infusions, breakthrough new products, and a sectoral backdrop favouring innovation-led disruptors. For South African investors looking to participate in the high-growth global EV market, Rivian may represent an excellent opportunity to gain early exposure at what could be a pivotal inflection point.

In summary, Rivian displays many of the attributes characteristic of technology leaders at the dawn of their growth supercycles. With strong liquidity, a clear path to profitability, and multiple upcoming catalysts, RIVN now seems positioned for a period of sustained upside potential—making it a stock that deserves renewed attention from discerning, forward-thinking investors.

Rivian stands at a crossroads where momentum, innovation, and investor conviction are aligned—an opportunity that rarely presents itself with such compelling clarity.

How to buy Rivian stock in South Africa?

Buying Rivian Automotive (RIVN) stock online is simple and secure when you use a regulated broker—ideal for South African investors looking to access international shares with confidence. You have two main choices: spot (cash) buying, where you directly own the shares, and CFD (Contract for Difference) trading, which lets you speculate on price moves with leverage but without owning the share. Each method has its own features, risks, and rewards. To help you decide, we detail both methods below, and you’ll find a comprehensive broker comparison further down the page.

Spot Buying

Spot buying involves purchasing physical Rivian shares, giving you direct ownership of the stock. This is straightforward—once you buy, you’re the registered owner, and your shares are held securely in your broker account. Most regulated online brokers charge a fixed commission for US share orders, typically ranging from R70 to R150 per trade, converted from their USD fee (for instance, $5 or about R90 per order, depending on the exchange rate).

Example

Suppose Rivian shares are trading at $15.01 (approx. R275). With a $1,000 (about R18,300) stake, after accounting for a R90 (approx. $5) commission, you could purchase around 66 Rivian shares.
✔️ Gain scenario:
If the share price rises by 10%, your holding would now be worth $1,100 (approx. R20,130).
Result: That’s a $100 gross gain—a full +10% return on your investment (excluding currency fluctuation and taxes).

Trading via CFD

A CFD (Contract for Difference) allows you to speculate on Rivian’s share price movements without directly owning the shares. With CFDs, you can use leverage, meaning you open larger positions with a smaller initial outlay. Fees here usually include a “spread” (the small difference between buy and sell prices) and potential overnight financing costs if you hold positions beyond one day.

Example

Let’s say you open a CFD position on Rivian with $1,000 (R18,300) and select 5x leverage, giving you a market exposure of $5,000 (around R91,500).
✔️ Gain scenario:
If Rivian’s stock price rises by 8%, your position gains 8% × 5 = 40%.
Result: That means a $400 gain (R7,320) on your $1,000 deposit, before deducting any fees or costs.

Final Advice

Before investing, always compare brokers’ fees, features, and trading conditions—costs can vary notably between platforms, especially for international shares and leveraged CFD trades. Your choice between spot buying and CFD trading should match your investment goals, risk appetite, and preferred trading style. For detailed comparisons and more guidance, see the broker comparator further down the page. Investing in Rivian, like any stock, involves risk but offers exciting opportunities for those who understand the options at their fingertips.

Our 7 tips for buying Rivian stock

The latest news about Rivian

Rivian confirmed a major strategic partnership with Volkswagen, securing a $1 billion investment for late June 2025.
This significant capital injection strengthens Rivian's long-term financial stability and innovation capacities, which is crucial as the company seeks to upscale production and global presence. For South African investors and market-watchers, Volkswagen’s operational footprint in Southern Africa and its established dealer network may open pathways for future Rivian collaborations or technology transfers within the region, potentially elevating the attractiveness of Rivian-linked initiatives in local automotive or tech sectors.

Rivian's Q1 2025 results showed strong performance, beating revenue and earnings expectations with positive gross profit.
The company reported $1.24 billion in revenue, surpassing consensus forecasts, and achieved its second consecutive quarter of positive gross profit, signaling increased operational efficiency and resilience. This trend of diminishing losses—per share loss was better than anticipated—may encourage investors looking for high-growth companies transitioning toward profitability, which could be of interest to South African funds with exposure to global ESG or next-generation mobility themes.

A “Golden Cross” technical signal was confirmed on May 19, 2025, supporting an improving long-term outlook for the stock.
This event, where the 50-day moving average overtook the 200-day moving average, is typically interpreted by market participants as bullish for price momentum. Although short-term moving averages indicate some volatility, the prevailing long-term technical sentiment is positive. South African institutional investors and technical traders monitoring offshore equities may view this as a constructive signal for potential entry points or portfolio rebalancing involving US-listed automotive innovators.

Rivian continues to pioneer novel vehicle technologies with its R2 model, targeting a $45,000 price point and unique suspension system.
The launch of the R2, featuring an innovative multi-link “Starfish Knuckle” suspension, positions Rivian competitively in the global electric vehicle (EV) segment, which is forecast to grow by 32%. Advanced technologies and price accessibility resonate with South Africa’s rapidly urbanising market and potential governmental initiatives to expand EV adoption, suggesting longer-term relevance if Rivian or its partners explore market entry or technology sharing.

Despite pressure from US trade policy and lower delivery guidance, Rivian retains significant liquidity with $7.18 billion in cash at Q1 2025.
The company’s healthy cash reserve provides a robust buffer against market disruptions or regulatory headwinds, including uncertainties around EV tax credit eligibility and potential tariff impacts. For South African investors—who are mindful of global macroeconomic shifts and regulatory changes—Rivian’s financial resilience, amid a volatile sector, underscores its appeal as a high-potential, albeit still speculative, equity in a global diversification strategy.

FAQ

P. Laurore

Finance expert

Co-founder of HelloSafe and holder of a Master's degree in finance, Pauline has recognised expertise in personal finance, which she uses to help users better understand and optimise their financial choices. At HelloSafe, Pauline plays a key role in designing clear, educational content on savings, investments and personal finance. Passionate about financial education, Pauline strives, with every piece of content she oversees, to provide reliable, transparent and unbiased information for independent and informed financial management. To this end, she has tested over 100 trading platforms to help internet users make the right choices.