Ford shares jump 8% on strong Q1 results and raised earnings guidance, leading auto sector gains.

Ford's stock surged 8% to around $14.60 following strong Q1 earnings with EPS of $0.66 and raised full-year EBIT guidance to $8.5-$10.5 billion. The rally marks a sharp turnaround as Ford leads year-to-date gains in the auto sector, outperforming peers General Motors and Tesla. Growth in Ford Pro software subscriptions and strong demand for F-Series trucks underpin optimism, while dividend payouts attract yield-focused investors. Investors will watch if the stock sustains gains above $14.50, signaling continued institutional buying rather than short-covering.