Michael Burry Is Not Short Tesla Stock — Despite 'Ridiculous' Valuation

Core Viewpoint - Michael Burry, known for his skepticism towards Tesla, has confirmed that he currently holds no short position in the company despite his critical views on its valuation [1][5]. Group 1: Valuation Concerns - Burry has labeled Tesla's valuation as "ridiculously overvalued," particularly after the company released fourth-quarter vehicle sales estimates that fell below investor expectations [3][4]. - He has expressed concerns about the disconnect between Tesla's stock price and traditional automotive and tech-sector fundamentals, highlighting the influence of a "cult-like" following that supports the stock price [4][10]. Group 2: Current Investment Strategy - While Tesla remains a frequent subject of Burry's commentary, his current investments are focused on the broader AI sector, specifically holding significant put options against NVIDIA and Palantir [6][8]. - Burry's decision to refrain from shorting Tesla may be influenced by the unpredictable nature of its stock momentum, which can persist despite fundamental concerns [11]. Group 3: Shareholder Impact - Burry estimates that Tesla's equity-based compensation dilutes shareholders by approximately 3.6% annually, compounded by the absence of stock buybacks to mitigate this dilution [10]. - He has criticized Elon Musk's performance-based pay package, arguing that it prioritizes market-cap milestones over sustainable profitability for long-term investors [10]. Group 4: Stock Performance - Tesla shares have experienced a gain of over 40% in the past six months, although they were slightly down at $453.03 at the time of publication [12].