Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
BMW was founded in 1916 as Bayerische Flugzeugwerke, manufacturing aircraft engines during the First World War. The Treaty of Versailles forced a pivot away from aviation; the company turned to motorcycles in 1923 with the R32, and to automobiles in 1928 with the acquisition of the Eisenach plant and the Dixi small car.
BMW's Q1 2026 delivered $36.2B in revenue — down 8.1% versus the same quarter a year ago. Net margin held at 5.2%. Shares currently trade at a trailing P/E of 6.1, EV/EBITDA of 9.6 and a 6.4% dividend yield. Analyst consensus leans hold (2.52/5).
BMW was founded in 1916 as Bayerische Flugzeugwerke, manufacturing aircraft engines during the First World War. The Treaty of Versailles forced a pivot away from aviation; the company turned to motorcycles in 1923 with the R32, and to automobiles in 1928 with the acquisition of the Eisenach plant and the Dixi small car.