Why QuantumScape Stock Got Crushed Today
Key Points
QuantumScape launched its new, highly automated battery cell pilot production line last week.
Its commercialization efforts are nearing the final stages.
2026 loss projection was one reason for the stock sell-off.
- 10 stocks we like better than QuantumScape ›
Solid-state battery maker QuantumScape (NASDAQ: QS) updated investors on its path to commercialization with its fourth-quarter report last night. While it made significant progress in 2025, the volatile stock is still selling off today.
Investors expect another year of losses in 2026, but one item of note may have spooked the market. QuantumScape stock plunged more than 10% after the report and remained down 8.8% as of 11:41 a.m. ET.
Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now, when you join Stock Advisor. See the stocks »
Image source: Getty Images.
Capital-light model isn't light enough
Last week, QuantumScape announced the launch of its Eagle Line battery cell pilot production line. CEO Dr. Siva Sivaram introduced it, stating, "The Eagle Line is a powerful platform to demonstrate scalable production of our solid-state technology and serve customer demand for better batteries. This is the next major step in the commercialization of our technology."
The company also added two large global automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to its growing customer list in Q4. QuantumScape has been partnering with future customers and doing licensing deals to minimize capital spending needs and generate revenue. That led to nearly $20 million in customer billings in 2025. That metric provides insight into customer activity and future cash inflows.
But the capital-light model isn't light enough for investors. QuantumScape forecasts capital expenditures of $40 million to $60 million for 2026, with investors planning for the low end of that range. Management also guided for the full-year 2026 adjusted EBITDA loss to be between $250 million and $275 million. EBITDA is short for earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization. Wall Street projected a loss of just $201 million.
With QuantumScape stock up by nearly 70% over the past year, some investors seem to be locking in gains today, with higher losses as well as capital spending expected in 2026.
Should you buy stock in QuantumScape right now?
Before you buy stock in QuantumScape, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and QuantumScape wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $429,385!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,165,045!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 913% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 196% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.
See the 10 stocks »
*Stock Advisor returns as of February 12, 2026.
Howard Smith has positions in QuantumScape. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Recommended Articles
