Honestly, if you've been looking at the price of volkswagen stock lately, you might feel like you're trying to solve a puzzle with half the pieces missing. One day it looks like a bargain, the next it feels like a trap. As of January 18, 2026, the market is giving us a very weird mixed signal.
The preferred shares (VOW3) closed around €101.40 this past Friday. That’s a bit of a tumble from where we started the year. It’s funny because, on paper, the company is still a juggernaut. They’re moving millions of cars. Yet, the stock is trading at a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of roughly 7.7. Compare that to the broader market, and it feels like Volkswagen is being priced like it’s going out of style. But is it?
People are spooked. And they have some reasons to be.
What’s Actually Driving the Price of Volkswagen Stock?
Basically, the market is wrestling with two different versions of Volkswagen. One version is the legacy cash cow that still sells millions of internal combustion engines (ICE). The other is the high-tech, EV-focused underdog trying to fight off BYD in China and Tesla everywhere else.
Last year was a total roller-coaster. In 2025, we saw the stock dip as low as the €80s before clawing back up. What's holding it back now? It’s not just one thing. It's a "perfect storm" of high labor costs in Germany, those pesky US import tariffs, and a transition to electric vehicles that has been—to put it mildly—a bit bumpy.
The China Problem and the EV Pivot
China used to be VW’s personal ATM. Not anymore. Local brands like BYD and Xiaomi are eating everyone’s lunch. In 2025, VW’s deliveries in China dipped by about 8%. That hurts. When China sneezes, the price of volkswagen stock catches a cold.
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But look at the bright side for a second. In Europe, they are actually crushing it. BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) deliveries surged by 66% in Europe last year. The ID.7 is finally finding its rhythm. Almost one in nine new vehicles from the group is now fully electric. That’s a huge milestone.
Dividends: The Silver Lining?
If you're a "dividend seeker," you're probably licking your chops. The forward dividend yield is sitting at roughly 6.2%. That is massive for a blue-chip company.
- Current Price: ~€101.40
- Dividend per Share: €6.30 (approximate based on latest data)
- Yield: 6.23%
- P/E Ratio: 7.78
For many, this yield is the only reason to hold the stock while waiting for the "Big Pivot" to pay off.
The Brand Breakdown: Not All VWs Are Created Equal
When we talk about the price of volkswagen stock, we aren't just talking about the Beetle or the Golf. You're buying a massive portfolio.
Porsche and Audi are the real profit engines here. Porsche had a slightly rough 2025, with deliveries down about 10%, but they maintain a "value over volume" strategy that keeps margins healthy. Audi, on the other hand, saw a record 223,000 EV deliveries last year.
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The "Brand Group Core"—which is VW, Škoda, and SEAT/CUPRA—is where the heavy lifting happens. They are currently in the middle of a massive restructuring. We're talking about 25,000 people moving into partial retirement or taking severance. It sounds harsh, but CFO Arno Antlitz has been very clear: the company has to get leaner. They want to cut factory expenses by 30%. If they pull that off, the "bottom line" is going to look very different by 2027.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Valuation
"It's too cheap!"
"It's a value trap!"
I hear both daily. Honestly, both might be right depending on your timeline. The reason the price of volkswagen stock stays low is the complexity. Investors hate complexity. They look at the 666,000+ employees and the complicated "dual" share structure (Ordinary vs. Preferred) and they just walk away.
But here is what they miss: The Rivian deal. VW is pumping billions into a joint venture with Rivian to fix their software mess. Software has been the "Achilles' heel" for the ID series. If the 2026/2027 models come out with Rivian-grade software, the narrative changes instantly.
Why 2026 is a "Prove It" Year
We’re sitting in January, and the vibes are... cautious.
The company is forecasting an operating margin of only 2% to 3% for the full year 2025/2026 because of the massive restructuring costs. They are spending money to save money later.
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- Labor Deals: They finally reached an agreement with German labor unions to reduce headcount. This was a huge hurdle.
- New Models: The ID. Polo (starting around €25,000) is coming. This is the "EV for the masses" the market has been begging for.
- The Golf is Back: The 2026 Golf GTI and Golf R just won MotorTrend's Car of the Year. It’s a reminder that when it comes to actually making cars people love to drive, VW still has the magic.
Is the Bottom In?
Looking at the technicals, €85–€90 seems to be a "floor" that the stock doesn't want to break. Every time it gets near there, buyers step in for the dividend.
But for the price of volkswagen stock to really take off—we’re talking €150+—they need to show that they can compete in China again. Or, at the very least, prove that their North American expansion (including the new Scout brand plant in South Carolina) can offset the Chinese losses.
Actionable Insights for Your Portfolio
If you’re looking at Volkswagen right now, don't just "buy the dip" blindly.
- Watch the Margins, Not Just Sales: Total vehicle sales were actually down 0.5% last year. The stock will move based on profitability per car, especially for EVs.
- Keep an Eye on Porsche: Since VW owns the majority of Porsche, any recovery in Porsche’s stock usually pulls VW up with it.
- Check the Rivian Milestones: Any news regarding the "software joint venture" progress is a potential catalyst.
- Don't Ignore the Dividends: If you’re a long-term holder, that 6%+ yield is your "pay to wait" fee. Just make sure the payout ratio (currently around 30-60% depending on the year) stays sustainable.
The price of volkswagen stock reflects a company in the middle of a painful metamorphosis. It's no longer just a car company; it's a software company, a battery manufacturer, and a legacy brand all rolled into one. It’s messy. It’s volatile. But at €101, it’s arguably one of the most interesting "rebound" stories in the industrial world.
To stay ahead, you should monitor the Q1 2026 earnings report, which will likely drop in April. That’s when we’ll see if those 25,000 job cuts are actually starting to show up as "saved cash" on the balance sheet. Until then, keep an eye on that €100 psychological level. If it holds, we might just have a foundation for a real recovery.