Gary Black Says Tesla Is 'Too Good' A Company To Short Despite Valuation Concerns: 'Shorting Stocks Is No Picnic'

Core Insights - Gary Black, Managing Partner of The Future Fund LLC, has expressed reluctance to short Tesla Inc. despite concerns regarding its valuation, emphasizing that Tesla is a strong company in a thriving business environment [1][4]. Group 1: Shorting Stocks - Black stated that shorting stocks is challenging and typically reserved for companies facing secular demand decline or permanent market share loss, lacking the necessary tech, brand, distribution, or management depth to recover [2][4]. - He clarified that the firm would not short a company merely because it appears expensive; instead, they would choose not to own it [3][4]. Group 2: Tesla's Market Position - Black believes that Tesla's valuation, even at 198 times the adjusted EPS for 2026, does not warrant a short position due to the company's strong market position and the increasing global adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) [4]. - He noted that Tesla's marketing issues are manageable and that the company is likely to resolve challenges related to unsupervised autonomy, which could lead to increased sales [4]. Group 3: Concerns from Other Investors - Former fund manager George Noble expressed concerns about Tesla's stock, citing "irresponsible figures" used by momentum investors promoting the stock [5]. - Investor Michael Burry labeled Tesla as "ridiculously overvalued" but confirmed he does not hold a short position against the company [5]. Group 4: Marketing Strategies - Black highlighted the necessity for Tesla to enhance its marketing efforts, warning that reliance on word-of-mouth and CEO Elon Musk's cultural relevance could hinder its competitiveness against Robotaxi rivals [6].