ACHR, JOBY: Archer and Joby Aviation Stocks Fall amid Heated Legal Dispute

Archer Aviation (ACHR) and Joby Aviation (JOBY) both finished lower on Thursday, as investor sentiment in the air-taxi space remains cautious. Joby slipped about 5%, while Archer fell roughly 8%, as traders reacted to a mix of broader market weakness and new legal tension between the two companies.

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Joby Accuses Archer of Using Confidential Company Files

Joby filed a lawsuit in a California court, saying Archer gained access to confidential company plans through a former Joby employee. Joby claimed this employee downloaded internal files shortly before resigning and later joined Archer.

Soon after, Joby said one of its key partners was approached by Archer with knowledge of private deal terms. In the lawsuit, Joby calls the act "corporate espionage" and says the move was "planned and premeditated."

Archer denied the claims. In a statement to CNBC, the company's chief legal officer said the complaint "has no merit" and argued that Joby did not name any specific trade secret or show proof of misuse.

A court hearing is set for March 20, 2026, which means this legal fight could remain in focus for some time.

Wall Street's Take on ACHR and JOBY Stocks

Using TipRanks' Stock Comparison Tool, we compared Archer and Joby Aviation to see which air taxi stock analysts currently favor. Archer stands out with a Strong Buy rating, while Joby holds a Hold rating.

Analysts see greater upside potential in Archer, with an average price target of $12.20, implying about 78% upside from current levels. In contrast, Joby's average price target of $15.50 points to a possible 19% upside.