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Tesla Q4 EPS Preview: Sluggish Sales & New Frontiers
ZACKS· 2026-01-28 03:11
Core Viewpoint - Tesla, a leading EV maker, is set to report Q4 earnings, with shares experiencing significant volatility since 2020, yet have quadrupled since late 2023, nearing all-time highs as earnings approach [1] Earnings Expectations - Q4 earnings report is scheduled for January 28 after market close, with EPS estimates at $0.45, reflecting a 40% year-over-year decline, and revenue expected to be approximately $24.75 billion [2] - The options market anticipates a post-market move of +/- $29.56 or 6.58%, while Tesla has historically shown an average move of 9.64% over the past eight quarters [2] EPS Surprise History - Tesla has missed Zacks Consensus Analyst Estimates by an average of 11.10% over the past four quarters, indicating a trend of underperformance [3] Legacy EV Business Insights - Tesla's legacy EV business constitutes about three-quarters of its revenue, but investors may not focus heavily on this due to three factors: bad news is already priced in, expected interest rate declines, and diversification beyond the legacy EV business [5][6] Key Earnings Drivers - Analysts predict a slowdown in Q4 EPS, with Tesla shifting focus from EVs to energy, robotaxis, and robots, which will be closely monitored by investors [8] - Tesla's energy segment is experiencing robust growth at 84% year-over-year, with potential for triple-digit growth in the coming years [10] - The Tesla robotaxi network is being tested in San Francisco and Austin, with third-party data suggesting Tesla's full-self-driving service is twice as safe as the average human driver, which could lead to regulatory approval and new revenue streams [11] - The anticipated release of the "Optimus" humanoid robot and the high-volume production of the long-delayed "Semi" truck later this year are also significant developments [12] Long-term Outlook - While facing headwinds in the legacy EV business, Tesla's long-term value will hinge on the success of its energy, self-driving, and humanoid robot initiatives, as investors assess the potential of a diversified tech ecosystem to mitigate current challenges [13]