BETA Technologies Inc. shares showed little movement in premarket activity Thursday, consolidating after a sharp 15.6% rally the previous session. The surge was triggered by a regulatory filing showing Amazon.com holds a 5.3% position in the electric aircraft developer.
According to a Schedule 13G submission with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Amazon's investment vehicle owns approximately 11.75 million Class A shares, crossing the 5% reporting threshold. The filing indicated Amazon retains sole voting and dispositive power over the stake.
Some market participants expressed skepticism about the news driving Wednesday's advance, noting that Amazon's approximate 5% holding had been referenced in earlier regulatory documents during BETA's initial public offering. The stock closed Wednesday at $19.39, up significantly from Tuesday's $16.77 close, with roughly 4.31 million shares traded.
Analyst sentiment showed a notable shift, with Jefferies upgrading BETA to "Buy" from "Hold" and establishing a $30 price target. The firm cited "incremental positive catalysts for the eVTOL landscape," including anticipated Department of Transportation and Federal Aviation Administration program awards in March.
BETA's rebound places it alongside electric aviation peers like Joby and Archer, where regulatory developments and partnership announcements often influence trading more than traditional financial metrics. However, the sustainability of gains remains uncertain without clearer catalysts such as major customer announcements or certification milestones.
Attention now turns to BETA's scheduled presentation at Citi's 2026 Global Industrial Tech and Mobility Conference on February 18, where management may address the Amazon disclosure and provide updated business outlook. Meanwhile, Amazon shares declined approximately 1.4% in premarket trading.
