Tesla Stock Analysis

Last updated: March 18, 2025
TSLA $262.67 -2.8%

Summary

Company Overview

Tesla, Inc. designs, develops, manufactures, and sells electric vehicles, energy generation and storage systems. Founded in 2003, the company is led by CEO Elon Musk and has expanded beyond automotive to sustainable energy production and storage.

Performance Summary

Tesla's stock has declined approximately 38% since January 2025, and about 45% from its all-time high in December 2024. Recent challenges include weak sales in Europe and the U.S., increased competition, and controversy surrounding CEO Elon Musk.

Investment Recommendation

HOLD
Consensus Rating

The current analyst consensus is Hold with an average price target of $347.96, representing a 32.47% upside from the current price. Ratings distribution: 13 Buy, 11 Hold, and 11 Sell ratings from 35 analysts.

Key Metrics

Market Cap

$844.88B

P/E Ratio

128.76

Revenue (TTM)

$97.69B

EPS

$0.47

Profit Margin

7.26%

EV/EBITDA

55.88

Return on Equity

10.42%

Short Interest

2.41%

Price Target Range

$120
$262.67
$347.96
$550
Low High

Financial Data

Revenue Trends

Tesla's quarterly revenue growth (YoY): 2.10%

Total revenue (TTM): $97.69B

Profit Margins

Gross profit (TTM): $17.45B

Operating margin (TTM): 6.16%

Balance Sheet Analysis

Total Cash $36.56B
Total Debt $13.62B
Debt/Equity Ratio 18.49%
Total Assets $96.78B
Total Liabilities $40.22B

Tesla's debt-to-equity ratio has improved from 4.76 (end of 2018) to 0.68 (end of 2023).

Cash Flow Analysis

Cash flow from operations (TTM): $10.52B

Capital expenditures (Q3 2024): $3.51B

Market Sentiment

Analyst Ratings

Hold Consensus Rating

Based on 35 analysts: 13 Buy, 11 Hold, 11 Sell

Average price target: $347.96 (32.47% upside)

Sentiment Indicators

RSI (14) 44.04
Oversold Neutral Overbought
MACD -4.3
Bearish Signal
Institutional Ownership 47.48%
4,720 institutions holding shares
Short Interest 2.41%
61.50 million shares shorted

News Impact

Declining Sales Impact

Tesla's registrations in key European markets saw significant drops, including a 60% decrease in Germany and a 63% decrease in France.

CEO Controversies

Elon Musk's political involvements have impacted the company's image and potentially led to lower sales and investor skepticism.

Increased Competition

Tesla faces growing competition from other EV manufacturers, with BYD surpassing Tesla in global EV sales.

Financial Underperformance

Recent earnings reports have missed Wall Street's expectations, contributing to declining investor confidence.

Overall Sentiment: Negative

Technical Analysis

Price Trends (1 Year)

Technical Indicators

Moving Averages

9-day, 18-day, 40-day

Bearish
RSI (14)

44.044

Sell
MACD (12,26,9)

-31.13

Bearish
Bollinger Bands (20,2)

UB: 394.52, LB: 245.54

Neutral

Support & Resistance

Resistance 2 $294.08
Resistance 1 $273.87
Current Price $262.67
Support 1 $253.03
Support 2 $242.89

Compare Assets

Company Market Cap P/E Ratio Revenue (TTM) Profit Margin YTD Return
Tesla (TSLA) $844.88B 128.76 $97.69B 7.26% -38.2%
BYD Company $103.75B 21.3 $87.04B 5.8% +12.5%
Ford (F) $48.62B 6.7 $172.08B 3.4% +5.3%
General Motors (GM) $52.18B 6.6 $171.84B 6.2% +8.7%
Rivian (RIVN) $10.31B N/A $4.43B -128.4% -15.8%

EV Market Share

Market Position

Tesla held a 55% market share of the electric vehicle market as of 2023, down from 62% the previous year. BYD has surpassed Tesla in global EV sales, reflecting intensifying competition in the sector.

Competitive Landscape

Tesla faces increasing competition from virtually every major vehicle manufacturer. Competitors range from high-end brands like BMW and Mercedes-Benz to more affordable options from Ford, GM, and emerging EV-focused companies like Rivian.

Competitive Advantages

Tesla maintains advantages in battery technology, software integration, and charging infrastructure. However, competitors are rapidly closing these gaps through significant R&D investments and strategic partnerships.

Value Investor Analysis

Intrinsic Value Analysis

DCF Model Inputs

WACC (Discount Rate)

7.1%

Terminal Growth Rate

4.0%

Free Cash Flow (Current)

$9.01B

FCF 5-Year CAGR

38.2%

Valuation Metrics

P/E Ratio (Current)

128.76

Industry Avg. P/E

17.0

Price/Sales Ratio

9.41

Price/Book Ratio

11.59

Estimated Intrinsic Value

$218 - $285 ±17% from current price

Based on DCF model with 5-year projection period and sensitivity analysis

Growth Potential & Risk Factors

Growth Catalysts

Autonomous Driving Technology

Potential to unlock new revenue streams through robotaxi services and FSD subscription.

Energy Storage Expansion

Growing demand for Megapack and Powerwall products amid global energy transition.

New Product Launches

Cybertruck ramp-up and potential new affordable EV model could expand market reach.

Risk Factors

Intensifying Competition

Declining market share as traditional automakers and new entrants expand EV offerings.

Management Distractions

CEO Elon Musk's involvement in other ventures and political activities may impact focus.

Regulatory Challenges

Evolving regulations around autonomous driving and EV subsidies could impact growth.

Valuation Premium

High P/E multiple relative to industry creates vulnerability to sentiment shifts.

Investment Thesis

SWOT Analysis

Strengths

  • Industry-leading EV technology and battery efficiency
  • Robust global Supercharger network
  • Strong brand recognition and customer loyalty
  • Vertically integrated manufacturing
  • Advanced software capabilities and OTA updates

Weaknesses

  • CEO distractions and controversies
  • Limited vehicle lineup compared to competitors
  • Quality control and service issues
  • High valuation multiples
  • Delay in delivering promised autonomous capabilities

Opportunities

  • Expanding energy storage business
  • Robotaxi network deployment
  • Entry into lower-priced EV segments
  • Growing EV adoption globally
  • AI and robotics development

Threats

  • Intensifying competition from traditional automakers
  • Rising battery material costs
  • Regulatory changes affecting EV incentives
  • Potential economic slowdown impacting luxury purchases
  • Consumer backlash to CEO controversies

Recommendations by Investor Type

Growth Investors

HOLD

Tesla remains a cornerstone growth stock but faces near-term headwinds. Current shareholders should hold positions while monitoring for signs of renewed momentum in deliveries and FSD progress.

Risk Level: High | Timeframe: 3-5 years

Value Investors

AVOID

Despite the recent share price decline, Tesla's valuation metrics remain significantly above industry averages. P/E ratio of 128.76 compared to industry average of 17 indicates the stock is still trading at a substantial premium.

Risk Level: High | Timeframe: Current

Long-Term Investors

BUY ON WEAKNESS

Consider phased entry into Tesla stock on continued weakness. The company maintains leadership in key EV technologies and has several potential catalysts for long-term growth, including energy storage and autonomy.

Risk Level: Moderate | Timeframe: 5+ years

Income Investors

AVOID

Tesla does not pay dividends and is unlikely to initiate a dividend program in the foreseeable future as the company prioritizes reinvestment for growth. Income-focused investors should look elsewhere.

Risk Level: Low | Timeframe: Current