Tesla's Stock Wavers After Earnings. Next Up: A Big Vote on Elon Musk's Pay

Core Insights - Tesla's stock has experienced volatility following the release of its third-quarter earnings, which showed a return to year-over-year sales growth but reported earnings per share below Wall Street expectations [2][7] - Investors are contemplating the future of Tesla's stock amidst a significant pay package vote for CEO Elon Musk, which could impact investor sentiment [1][9] Financial Performance - Tesla reported a return to quarterly sales growth, marking a positive development, but earnings per share fell short of analyst predictions [2][7] - The stock has retraced approximately 3% from its recent highs, affecting year-to-date gains that had been achieved after recovering from spring lows [3] Analyst Perspectives - Wedbush analyst Dan Ives maintains a bullish outlook with a price target of $600, suggesting a potential market cap of $2 trillion by early 2026 and $3 trillion by the end of 2026, driven by advancements in AI and autonomy [5] - Conversely, JPMorgan analysts have set a lower price target of $150, citing concerns over spending and operating expenses, while acknowledging Tesla's bold products and leadership [8] Strategic Focus - The upcoming vote on Musk's incentive-laden pay proposal is a critical milestone, with some proxy firms recommending against it, highlighting the ongoing debate about Musk's vision for the company [9] - Tesla's strategy appears to be shifting towards autonomy and AI, with Musk indicating that the company is at an "inflection point" in its AI strategy [5][6]