Tesla shares tumble ahead of first-quarter earnings report

Core Viewpoint - Tesla shares experienced a significant decline of almost 6% ahead of the first-quarter earnings report, raising concerns about ongoing brand erosion and overall stock performance [1] Group 1: Stock Performance - Tesla's stock closed at $227.50, remaining less than $6 above its yearly low recorded on April 8 [1] - The shares have dropped 44% year-to-date, marking the worst quarterly performance since 2022 [1] - This decline represents the 12th instance this year where the stock has fallen by at least 5% in a single session [1] Group 2: Leadership and Management Concerns - CEO Elon Musk's distractions, particularly his involvement in political activities, are under scrutiny [2] - There is a focus on the company's progress regarding the long-delayed robotaxi and self-driving technology [2] Group 3: Investor Sentiment and Inquiries - Over 300 questions were submitted by investors regarding Tesla's self-driving systems, with around 200 inquiries about the Optimus humanoid robots, and more than 160 questions concerning Musk personally [3] - An investor raised concerns about the board's actions to mitigate brand damage linked to Musk's political activities [3] Group 4: Market Reactions and Deliveries - Tesla has faced significant backlash in Europe and parts of the U.S., resulting in protests, boycotts, and criminal activities targeting its vehicles and facilities [4] - In the first quarter, Tesla reported 336,681 vehicle deliveries, reflecting a 13% decline compared to the same period last year [4]