Tesla stock jumps, poised for 2025 closing high as bull run rolls on

Core Viewpoint - Tesla shares have seen significant gains, with a nearly 4% increase, reaching a new 2025 closing high, driven by investor optimism regarding the company's self-driving future and new product launches [1] Group 1: Stock Performance - Tesla stock has risen over 30% in the past month, influenced by CEO Elon Musk's $1 billion share purchase, a new compensation proposal, and plans for Robotaxi expansion beyond Austin [2] - The stock is currently higher in 9 of the last 10 trading sessions, with early trade topping $440, surpassing the previous high of $428.22 on January 15 [1] Group 2: Analyst Insights - Piper Sandler analyst Alexander Potter raised his price target for Tesla from $400 to $500 after visiting China, noting that Chinese automakers look to Tesla for guidance in AI and self-driving technology [2][4] - Potter observed that while Chinese EV-makers have advanced in assembly, Tesla remains competitive in developing AI-enabled machines and infrastructure [3] Group 3: Robotaxi Expansion Plans - Tesla has announced plans to expand its Robotaxi service beyond Austin to states like Nevada, Florida, and California, although there are challenges in California regarding regulatory approvals [5][6] - Despite Musk's claims of imminent regulatory permission for Robotaxi services in the San Francisco Bay area, reports indicate that Tesla has not yet applied for the necessary permits, which could take years to obtain [6][7]