Tesla (TSLA) Seen as ‘Physical AI’ Leader as Mizuho Lifts Price Target

Core Viewpoint - Tesla is recognized as a leader in physical AI, with Mizuho raising its price target to $540 from $530 while maintaining an "Outperform" rating despite anticipated near-term headwinds in EV demand [1][5]. Financial Performance - Tesla reported fourth-quarter revenues of $25 billion and earnings per share (EPS) of $0.50, aligning closely with consensus estimates of $25.1 billion in revenue and $0.45 EPS [2]. - The automotive gross margin, excluding credits, improved to 17.9%, reflecting a 250 basis point increase quarter-over-quarter, attributed to a better product mix and pricing strategies [3]. Strategic Focus - The company is gradually pivoting towards AI, software, and Robotaxi services as it anticipates a slowdown in EV demand, projecting only a 5% year-over-year increase in EV sales for 2026 [2][4]. - Tesla plans to invest $20 billion in capital expenditures for fiscal 2026, significantly up from approximately $9 billion in fiscal 2025, with plans to double GPU capacity and expand factory operations [4][5]. Product Development - Tesla has reiterated its timeline for launching its cybercab in the first half of 2026 and noted growth in Full Self-Driving (FSD) v14 revenues quarter-over-quarter [3][4].