Joby Falls 2% as Jury Hands Aerosonic a $116.9 Million Trade-Secret Verdict; Archer Slips, EHang Declines 3%

Joby Aviation is taking a market hit after a federal jury sided with supplier Aerosonic in a trade-secret dispute, awarding Aerosonic $116.9 million. In morning trading, Joby’s shares fell 2% to $5.68, leaving the stock down 57% year to date. Peer names also slipped: Archer Aviation fell 0.9% to $4.61 and EHang Holdings dropped 3% to $3.98, pointing to sector-wide pressure rather than company-specific effects. The verdict, issued Oct. 2 in Tampa at the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, remains subject to post-trial motions and appeals. Aerosonic claimed Joby used proprietary probe designs and data; jurors rejected Joby’s counterclaim of defective probes. Joby said it strongly disagrees and plans to pursue remedies.