Ford Up On Price Target Raise, Plant News

Shares of Ford F are up today after Merrill Lynch upgraded its price target to $24 today, as well as announcing plans to invest $600 million in a Louisville Assembly plant. Ford said the move will bring on 1,800 workers to the plant as it manufactures the next generation Escape compact SUV to be released late next year. “Manufacturing flexibility is a key to competitiveness, and we are continually exploring ways to raise the bar in this critical area of the business,” said Jim Tetreault, Ford's head of North America Manufacturing. At last check, shares of F were up 10 cents to $16.79, a gain of 0.6%.