Tesla (TSLA) shares have risen by 18% in the last month and are presently priced at $475. While Tesla’s core automotive business is facing headwinds, amid mounting competition and a broader slowdown in EV demand, investors appear optimistic about the company’s AI related developments. The company recently provided an update on its Robotaxi program, noting that roughly six months after launching a limited service in Austin, Texas that relied on human safety drivers, it has begun testing vehicles without safe ...

Core Viewpoint - Tesla's stock has experienced a significant decline of 5.1% due to concerns regarding CEO Elon Musk's proposed $1 trillion compensation plan and opposition from Norway's $2 trillion sovereign wealth fund, which is one of Tesla's largest shareholders [1] Financial Performance - Tesla is currently valued at $1.4 trillion with a revenue of $96 billion, trading at $444.26 [5] - The company has reported a revenue growth of -1.6% over the last 12 months and an operating margin of 5.1% [5] - Tesla's stock is trading at a P/E multiple of 282.3 and a P/EBIT multiple of 205.7 [5] Historical Stock Performance - TSLA stock has seen a decline of 73.6% from a high of $409.97 on November 4, 2021, to $108.10 on January 3, 2023, while the S&P 500 declined by 25.4% during the same period [6] - The stock fully regained its pre-crisis peak by December 11, 2024, reaching a high of $479.86 on December 17, 2024, and is currently trading at $444.26 [6] - Historical data shows that TSLA has returned a median of 60.8% within a year after substantial dips since 2010 [5] Risk and Recovery Analysis - The stock has underperformed compared to the S&P 500 during various economic downturns, raising concerns about its downturn resilience [3] - TSLA stock dropped by 60.6% from a high of $61.16 on February 19, 2020, to $24.08 on March 18, 2020, compared to a peak-to-trough decline of 33.9% for the S&P 500, but fully recovered by June 8, 2020 [8] - The stock also decreased by 53.5% from a peak of $25.67 on September 18, 2017, to $11.93 on June 3, 2019, with a full recovery by December 18, 2019 [8]

Core Insights - Tesla plans to expand production at its German factory from approximately 250,000 cars per year to one million, which involves constructing a new assembly hall the size of 60 soccer fields, although this may face local opposition [3] - The electric vehicle (EV) market is experiencing a slowdown, with increasing competition from Chinese automakers making Tesla's vehicles less appealing, particularly in international markets [4] - Tesla's Cybertruck has not met expectations, and competitors like Google's Waymo are advancing in self-driving technology, indicating that Tesla is not the only significant player in this space [4] Revenue Growth Comparison - Tesla's operating margin is 5.1%, which is moderate and higher than most competitors but lower than PACCAR's 11.4% [6] - Over the past 12 months, Tesla's revenue growth has been negative at -1.6%, trailing General Motors, Ford, and Rivian, but surpassing PACCAR and Oshkosh [6] - Tesla's stock surged by 88.1% in the last year, with a price-to-earnings (PE) ratio of 297.6, which is higher than its competitors [6] Operating Margin Comparison - The Trefis High Quality Portfolio, which includes 30 stocks, has consistently outperformed benchmarks such as the S&P 500, S&P mid-cap, and Russell 2000, indicating a more stable investment experience [7]

Core Viewpoint - Tesla's stock has nearly doubled since March, driven by optimism around artificial intelligence and autonomous driving, as well as CEO Elon Musk's return to the company [1] Financial Performance - Tesla's market capitalization stands at $1.5 trillion, with recent revenues showing a slight decline of 1.6% from $97 billion to $96 billion over the last 12 months, although quarterly revenue increased by 11.6% to $28 billion [6][7] - The company's operating income for the last 12 months was $4.9 billion, with an operating margin of 5.1% and a cash flow margin of 16.5%, generating approximately $16 billion in operating cash flow [11] - Tesla's net income was about $5.1 billion, indicating a net margin of around 5.3% [11] Valuation and Market Position - The stock is perceived to have a very high valuation, leading to a negative outlook with a target price of $319 [2][7] - Tesla's performance in the electric vehicle (EV) market is facing challenges, particularly from increasing competition from Chinese automakers and the lukewarm reception of the Cybertruck [4] Growth and Profitability - Tesla has experienced an average growth rate of 9.3% in its top line over the past three years, but the growth appears unsteady [7][8] - The company's profitability is considered weak compared to the wider market [8] Debt and Financial Stability - Tesla's debt was reported at $14 billion, with a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.9%, and it holds cash (including cash equivalents) totaling $42 billion from total assets of $134 billion, resulting in a cash-to-assets ratio of 31.1% [11] Stock Performance History - Tesla's stock dropped 73.6% from a peak of $409.97 on November 4, 2021, to $108.10 on January 3, 2023, while the S&P 500 saw a peak-to-trough decline of 25.4% during the same period [12] - The stock has shown volatility, recovering to its pre-crisis peak by December 11, 2024, and reaching a maximum of $479.86 on December 17, 2024 [12]