Core Viewpoint - The recent public conflict between Tesla CEO Elon Musk and President Donald Trump is perceived as a strategic move rather than a spontaneous dispute, with implications for Tesla's market performance and brand perception [1][3]. Group 1: Market Impact - The clash between Musk and Trump led to a significant 14% drop in Tesla shares, resulting in a loss of $150 billion in market value within a single day [1]. - Following the initial turmoil, Tesla's stock rebounded, trading at $320.07, reflecting an increase of nearly 4% [2]. Group 2: Analyst Perspectives - Morgan Stanley maintains a bullish outlook on Tesla, reaffirming it as their 'top pick' in the U.S. auto sector and raising the price target from $400 to $410 while keeping an 'Overweight' rating [2][4]. - The firm believes the feud will not have long-term repercussions on Tesla's performance and highlights the upcoming robotaxi launch in Austin as a significant catalyst for growth [4]. Group 3: Strategic Considerations - Analysts from Morgan Stanley suggest that Musk's public engagement with political issues is a calculated strategy aimed at garnering attention and achieving specific goals [3]. - The firm's analysis indicates that Tesla is well-positioned in the fields of artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles, and energy, making it a unique player in the market [3]. Group 4: Diverging Opinions - While Morgan Stanley remains optimistic, other analysts, such as Baird's Ben Kallo, have downgraded Tesla from 'Outperform' to 'Neutral', citing concerns over the aggressive timeline for the robotaxi rollout and setting a price target of $320 [6].
Banking giant says Trump v. Musk spat ‘likely planned strategy,' updates TSLA target