Tesla Inc. (TSLA)
Stock Forecast & Analyst Ratings
Based on a consensus from 41 analysts, the average target price for Tesla’s stock over the next 12 months is USD 290.71, which reflects a potential downside from its current trading price of USD 355.84. Despite the forecast indicating a decline, analysts remain largely positive about Tesla’s prospects in the medium-to-long term, with an average analyst rating of Buy.
Stock Performance Overview
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Weekly Performance: Tesla’s stock price has experienced a +1.46% increase over the past week, indicating strong short-term momentum.
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Monthly Performance: However, the stock has declined by -16.57% over the past month, potentially driven by broader market conditions or sector-specific challenges. This decline highlights some volatility, which is characteristic of Tesla’s stock in the short term.
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Yearly Performance: Looking at the longer-term trend, Tesla has demonstrated an impressive +77.96% increase over the last year, underscoring its dominant position in the EV market and the growth it has achieved in various segments.
AI-Powered Stock Analysis by Stock Target Advisor
Stock Target Advisor provides a detailed, AI-powered analysis of Tesla’s stock performance, which is Slightly Bullish (based on 9 positive signals, 6 negative signals) taking into account several important criteria that analysts typically assess.
This analysis is based on a composite scorecard that reflects Tesla’s standing in various key financial metrics:
9 Positive Fundamentals
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Superior Risk-Adjusted Returns
Tesla has delivered exceptional risk-adjusted returns compared to its sector peers over a 12-month hold period, placing it in the top quartile. This indicates that, despite some volatility, Tesla has performed well relative to other companies in its industry. -
Positive Cash Flow
Tesla reported positive total cash flow over the past four quarters, highlighting its ability to generate cash from operations. This is a strong indicator of financial health and operational efficiency. -
Positive Free Cash Flow
The company has also demonstrated positive free cash flow over the most recent four quarters, suggesting that it is able to reinvest in its business while still generating sufficient cash to fund growth. -
Superior Return on Assets (ROA)
Tesla has outperformed its peers in terms of return on assets, a metric that reflects the efficiency with which the company is utilizing its assets to generate profits. This places Tesla in the top quartile compared to its competitors. -
Superior Capital Utilization
Tesla has exhibited superior return on invested capital (ROIC) relative to its peers, indicating effective use of its capital to create value for shareholders. -
High Market Capitalization
Tesla is one of the largest companies in its sector, which typically provides a level of stability and resilience. A high market capitalization often indicates investor confidence and a leading market position. -
Superior Earnings Growth
Tesla’s earnings growth has been impressive over the past five years, placing it in the top quartile among its sector peers. This growth has been a key driver of investor enthusiasm. -
High Gross Profit to Asset Ratio
Tesla ranks highly among its peers in terms of gross profit to asset ratio, an important metric for value investors. This shows that Tesla is generating strong profits relative to the assets it holds, a positive indicator for long-term growth. -
Superior Return on Equity (ROE)
Tesla’s return on equity is better than that of most of its competitors, showing that the company is delivering superior value to its shareholders.
6 Negative Fundamentals
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Overpriced Compared to Book Value
Tesla’s stock is trading at a higher valuation compared to its peers’ median price-to-book ratio, suggesting that it may be overpriced relative to its book value. -
Overpriced Compared to Earnings (P/E Ratio)
Tesla’s price-to-earnings ratio is higher than its peers’ median, indicating that investors are paying a premium for its future growth potential. While this can be justified by Tesla’s growth prospects, it also raises questions about the stock’s current valuation. -
High Volatility
Tesla has exhibited significant price volatility over the past five years, which could be a concern for more risk-averse investors. The stock has been known for its sharp price fluctuations, making it suitable primarily for investors with a higher risk tolerance. -
Overpriced on Cash Flow Basis
Tesla’s stock is trading at a higher price-to-cash-flow ratio compared to its peers, suggesting that it may be priced above the sector’s median in terms of its ability to generate cash flow. Investors should consider this when evaluating the stock’s current value. -
Highly Leveraged
Tesla’s debt-to-equity ratio places it in the bottom half compared to its sector peers, indicating a higher level of leverage. While this may be a result of Tesla’s aggressive growth strategy, high leverage can pose risks, particularly if the company faces challenges in meeting its debt obligations. -
Overpriced on Free Cash Flow Basis
Tesla’s stock price is trading at a premium when considering its free cash flow, suggesting that investors may be paying more for the stock than what is supported by its free cash flow generation. Caution is warranted for those considering new investments at current levels.
Outlook
Tesla’s stock forecast shows a mixed outlook: while analysts are optimistic about the company’s future growth prospects, particularly in the EV and clean energy sectors, the stock’s high volatility and expensive valuation relative to book value, earnings, and cash flow could present challenges in the short term.
The company’s strong fundamentals, including superior earnings growth, high return on assets, and positive free cash flow, paint a picture of a company capable of delivering strong long-term results. However, its high price-to-earnings ratio and leverage may concern some investors, especially those seeking a lower-risk profile.
While Tesla remains a highly attractive stock for growth investors, it is essential to consider the volatility and premium valuation. Analysts’ ratings reflect broad optimism for the company’s continued dominance in the EV market and its ability to innovate in other sectors. However, for those considering a potential investment, it is important to weigh the risk factors and ensure alignment with your investment strategy and risk tolerance.
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