Tesla Cuts Prices Again, Margins are a Concern
Tesla Inc. just announced plans to build a new Megapack factory in Shanghai, adding to its existing production facilities in China, which already manufacture the Model 3 and Model Y vehicles. The Shanghai Megapack factory, expected to start production in Q2 2024, will be capable of producing 10,000 Megapacks per year, which are used for energy storage systems. This move further solidifies Tesla’s presence in the world’s largest EV market and demonstrates the company’s commitment to expanding its production capabilities.
Investors are however, becoming very concerned about Tesla’s recent price cuts in the U.S. which raised doubts about its profit margins. The company reduced prices of its Model S and Model X by $5,000, marking the third price reduction this year, while also cutting the prices of its Model 3 and Model Y by $1,000 and $2,000 respectively. These price cuts come ahead of the implementation of new battery and mineral component requirements to qualify for the full $7,500 tax credit for EVs under the Inflation Reduction Act announced by the Biden administration. The new requirements mandate specific amounts of components from North America and critical minerals sourced in the U.S. or certain countries, and will take effect from April 18. This may impact Tesla’s margins as it tries to maintain competitive pricing while also meeting the new requirements.
Investors are closely watching Tesla’s gross margins in the first quarter, as the price cuts raise questions about vehicle demand and potential impact on profitability. Citigroup(Rank#10) analyst Itay Michaeli stated that stronger than expected gross margins would indicate that Tesla’s price cuts are driven by cost strength and lower input costs. The Citigroup analyst has a $192, 12 month price target on the stock, with a Neutral rating. Meanwhile, Wolfe Research(Rank#45) analyst Rod Lache believes that the market may be underappreciating the new investments the company is executing on. The analyst maintains a “Peer Perform” rating on Tesla stock, while acknowledging that there may be a negative short-term reaction to the news of price cuts.
Tesla’s stock price fell after the announcement of the price cuts amongst the concerns over margins. The stock has been under pressure, with a nearly 11% drop in the previous week following its Q1 delivery report. Tesla is also currently trading below its 200-day moving average, which is viewed as a warning sign. However, the company is also seen as having significant cost reduction potential in the future, and its expansion into the energy storage market with the new Megapack factory in Shanghai may provide new growth opportunities.
As Tesla continues to navigate the competitive EV market, balancing pricing, demand, and profitability will be crucial. The company’s earnings for the first quarter, scheduled for April 19, will provide further insights into the impact of the recent price cuts on its margins. Investors and industry watchers will be closely monitoring Tesla’s performance and strategic moves in the coming months as it seeks to maintain its position as a leader in the EV industry while addressing concerns about margins and profitability.
Analyst Coverage
STA Research, a financial research firm or analyst, has reaffirmed its “Strong Buy” rating on Tesla’s stock. This indicates that STA Research believes Tesla’s stock is expected to perform well in the market and recommends investors to consider buying shares of the company.
STA Research has also set a target price of USD 225 for Tesla’s stock. A target price is an estimate of the expected value of a stock in the future based on various factors such as financial performance, industry trends, and market conditions.
TSLA Stock Forecast & Analysis
The average analyst target price for Tesla Inc over the next 12 months is USD 218.52, according to forecasts from 47 analysts. The average analyst rating for Tesla Inc is a “Buy”. Stock Target Advisor’s analysis of Tesla Inc’s stock signals is Slightly Bullish, with 11 positive signals and 5 negative signals. Tesla Inc’s stock price at the last closing was USD 185.06, with a change of -10.80% over the past week, +7.02% over the past month, and -45.86% over the last year.
