Tesla Stock Under Siege: Navigating Demand, Politics, and Tariffs Amidst Long-Term Growth Prospects

Tesla Inc analysts are cautious on the short-term outlook of the electric vehicle company after it missed revenue and earnings per share estimates in the first quarter.

Analysts’ Take on Tesla

Several analysts have weighed in on Tesla’s performance and future prospects:

  • Truist Securities: Analyst William Stein maintained a Hold rating on Tesla with a $280 price target, citing weak delivery data and withdrawn 2025 growth targets as negatives. However, Stein noted that Tesla’s reaffirming operating goals is a positive.
  • Needham: Analyst Chris Pierce reiterated a Hold rating, stating that a demand rebound for Tesla could be difficult due to short-term political headwinds hurting demand.
  • Goldman Sachs: Analyst Mark Delaney maintained a Neutral rating and lowered the price target from $260 to $235, citing mixed first-quarter results and potential downside risk to consensus estimates.
  • Stifel: Analyst Stephen Gengaro reiterated a Buy rating with a $455 price target, citing positives such as lower-priced vehicles remaining on track and confidence in FSD rollout.
  • Cantor Fitzgerald: Analyst Andres Sheppard reiterated an Overweight rating and lowered the price target from $425 to $355, citing bullishness on Tesla’s launch of Robotaxi in Texas and lower-priced vehicles coming in the first half of 2025.
  • Piper Sandler: Analyst Alexander Potter reiterated an Overweight rating with a $400 price target, citing the timeline for robotaxis and lower-priced vehicles remaining in place.
  • Benchmark: Analyst Mickey Legg reiterated a Buy rating with a $350 price target, citing long-term upside from Robotaxis, Optimus, and new products.
  • Canaccord Genuity: Analyst George Gianarikas reiterated a Buy rating and lowered the price target from $404 to $303, citing risks and a tricky current environment surrounding Tesla.

Key Points and Takeaways

  • Tesla’s first-quarter results were mixed, with weak delivery data and withdrawn 2025 growth targets.
  • Analysts are cautious on the short-term outlook due to potential downside risk to consensus estimates and short-term political headwinds.
  • However, many analysts remain bullish on Tesla’s long-term prospects, citing opportunities for growth from Robotaxis, FSD, and new products.
  • The launch of Robotaxi in Texas and lower-priced vehicles coming in the first half of 2025 are key catalysts to watch.

Tesla Stock Performance

Tesla stock is up 6.38% to $253.19, with a 52-week trading range of $157.40 to $488.54. Despite short-term challenges, many analysts believe that Tesla’s long-term vision and growth drivers will ultimately drive the stock’s performance.