Tesla's Q3 earnings miss: What investors need to know

Core Insights - Tesla's Q3 adjusted EPS is reported at $0.50, below the consensus estimate of $0.54, while Q3 revenue is $28.10 billion, exceeding the expected $26.36 billion [1][2] - Q3 gross margins are reported at 18%, significantly higher than the estimated 7.2% [2] - Free cash flow for Q3 is reported at $3.99 billion, beating the estimate of $1.25 billion [2] Financial Performance - Q3 adjusted EPS is $0.50, compared to a consensus of $0.54 [1] - Q3 revenue stands at $28.10 billion, surpassing the expected $26.36 billion [1] - Q3 gross margins are reported at 18%, exceeding the estimate of 7.2% [2] - Free cash flow for Q3 is $3.99 billion, significantly above the estimate of $1.25 billion [2] Market Outlook - Concerns are raised about EV demand in the US post EV tax credit expiration, with expectations of declining deliveries in Q4 and throughout 2026 [7][8] - Analysts predict a potential decline in total global deliveries for Tesla due to the expiration of the US tax credit [7] - The market may see a pull forward in demand as buyers took advantage of the tax credit in Q3 [8] Product Strategy - Tesla has introduced lower-priced models under $40,000, which may attract buyers but still face competition from traditional vehicles priced lower [9][10] - The Model Y's pricing compared to competitors like Honda CRV and Toyota RAV4 indicates a higher cost for consumers [11][12] Future Growth and AI Vision - Analysts express optimism about Tesla's AI and robotics potential, with a belief that the autonomous driving and robotics market could significantly enhance Tesla's valuation [14][15] - The company is expected to pivot from car sales to software and robotics in the long term [15] - Regulatory uncertainties and competition in the autonomous driving space may impact Tesla's market leadership [16][17] Upcoming Events - A shareholder meeting is scheduled for November 6, where approval of Elon Musk's potential $1 trillion pay package is anticipated [23][24] - The pay package is tied to Tesla's market cap growth and successful rollout of robo taxis and full self-driving software [24]