Wedbush maintains Tesla stock Outperform rating, $550 target

Published 02/04/2025, 15:18
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On Wednesday, Wedbush Securities sustained its optimistic stance on Tesla stock (NASDAQ:TSLA), maintaining an Outperform rating and a price target of $550.00. According to InvestingPro data, this target represents the highest among analysts, whose predictions range from $120 to $550, reflecting the market’s divided opinion on the $843 billion market cap company. The firm’s analysts highlighted the significant potential of autonomous driving technology, envisioning Tesla as a dominant force in both the U.S. and global markets. The launch of unsupervised Full Self-Driving (FSD) in Austin was cited as a pivotal moment, marking the beginning of Tesla’s autonomous era. Wedbush estimates the value of Tesla’s autonomous market at $1 trillion based on a sum-of-the-parts valuation. InvestingPro analysis shows Tesla maintains strong financial health with a ’Good’ overall score, though it currently trades at a premium with a P/E ratio of 121x.

Despite the positive outlook on Tesla’s technological advancements and market position, Wedbush analysts conveyed concern over CEO Elon Musk’s involvement in political controversies, which they described as a "full blown crisis" the company is currently facing. They emphasized that the issues are primarily self-inflicted and urged Musk to balance his responsibilities as CEO with his activities related to the cryptocurrency Dogecoin (DOGE).

The analysts affirmed their belief in Tesla’s long-term success but cautioned that Musk’s actions could lead to "darker times" if not addressed. They underscored the importance of Musk’s leadership for the future of the company, suggesting that Tesla’s trajectory could be negatively impacted without a change in his approach. With annual revenue of $97.69 billion and a gross margin of 17.86%, Tesla’s financial fundamentals remain solid despite these challenges.

Wedbush’s reiteration of the Outperform rating and price target comes amid a period of heightened scrutiny of Musk’s public conduct and its potential impact on Tesla’s business and stock performance. The firm remains bullish on Tesla’s prospects, particularly in the realm of autonomous driving, which they regard as a transformative force in the automotive industry.

The analysts’ comments reflect a mix of confidence in Tesla’s technological capabilities and concern over the current challenges the company faces, with a clear message that the CEO’s behavior could influence the company’s future. Tesla’s stock performance and market valuation are likely to continue to be influenced by both its technological advancements and the public actions of its CEO. With a beta of 2.51, Tesla shows significant volatility compared to the market. For deeper insights into Tesla’s valuation and growth prospects, including 18 additional ProTips and comprehensive financial analysis, visit InvestingPro.

In other recent news, Tesla reported an 11.5% decrease in sales of its China-made electric vehicles in March compared to the same period last year, according to data from the China Passenger Car Association. Despite this year-on-year decline, the company saw a significant month-on-month increase of 156.9% in deliveries of its Model 3 and Model Y vehicles. Meanwhile, Tesla’s car sales in France experienced a notable 37% drop in March, reflecting a broader trend of declining sales in Europe. Additionally, Tesla is preparing to launch its Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology, with plans to have unsupervised FSD Teslas carrying passengers in Austin, Texas by June, and expanding to other American cities by the end of the year. CEO Elon Musk has also been in the spotlight for personal matters, as he addressed claims regarding child support payments to Ashley St. Clair, providing her with $2.5 million and committing to an additional $500,000 annually. In other developments, Tesla was noted for its premarket trading activities, experiencing fluctuations alongside other stocks within the Magnificent Seven. Lastly, Tesla is also awaiting potential impacts from President Donald Trump’s upcoming tariff announcement, which could affect the company’s operations and market dynamics.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

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