Stellantis delays new CEO's 2026 strategy presentation

MILAN, Oct 13 (Reuters) - Stellantis STLAM.MI has postponed the launch of its latest strategic plan until the second quarter of 2026 to give new CEO Antonio Filosa longer than originally expected to prepare for its capital markets day.

The delay will give the automaker a chance to better factor in "critical exogenous factors" such as U.S. tariffs and "the robust engagement of our industry with policymakers in Europe", the transcript of a call Stellantis global head of investor relations Ed Ditmire held with analysts late on Friday showed.

"We expect to make final decisions on timing relatively soon and communicate it promptly at that time," Ditmire said.

Shares in Stellantis closed down 7.3% on Friday afternoon as investors sold the stock after a positive first half of the day in the wake of preliminary sales data for the third quarter. The stock rebounded by 4% on Monday.

Stellantis is due to release an update on shipments and revenues on October 30.

Barclays said in a note on Monday that there had been "strongly increasing investor interest in Stellantis", pointing to positive elements recently such as U.S. September market share and comments on order momentum.

However, Barclays also sounded a note of caution.

"We think it still seems premature to fully re-engage while adjusted operating income and free cash flow visibility remain limited and the all-new management team is performing a significant strategic pivot," the broker said.