Up over 25% this week, what’s going on with Tesla stock?

Tesla stock is never far from the headlines. With a 25% rally this week, investors will be wondering if there is more growth ahead.

| More on:

The content of this article was relevant at the time of publishing. Circumstances change continuously and caution should therefore be exercised when relying upon any content contained within this article.

Image source: Tesla

When investing, your capital is at risk. The value of your investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you put in.

Read More

The content of this article is provided for information purposes only and is not intended to be, nor does it constitute, any form of personal advice. Investments in a currency other than sterling are exposed to currency exchange risk. Currency exchange rates are constantly changing, which may affect the value of the investment in sterling terms. You could lose money in sterling even if the stock price rises in the currency of origin. Stocks listed on overseas exchanges may be subject to additional dealing and exchange rate charges, and may have other tax implications, and may not provide the same, or any, regulatory protection as in the UK.

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More.

Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) has been on a wild ride lately, surging more than 25% in the past week alone. Of course, this favourite of the market is no stranger to sudden moves in either direction. So what’s behind the latest burst of enthusiasm for Tesla stock?

Created with Highcharts 11.4.3Tesla PriceZoom1M3M6MYTD1Y5Y10YALL1 Jul 201931 Jul 2024Zoom ▾Jul '19Jan '20Jul '20Jan '21Jul '21Jan '22Jul '22Jan '23Jul '23Jan '24Jul '242020202020212021202220222023202320242024www.fool.co.uk

What happened?

To understand this recent rally, we need to look at several factors that have converged to drive investor sentiment. The broader market has shown signs of recovery, with growth stocks and tech companies leading the charge in 2024. Tesla, being a prominent player in both categories, has benefited from this overall positive sentiment.

Tesla recently released its Q2 2024 production and delivery numbers, exceeding many analysts’ expectations with a 14% year-on-year increase. Over 444,000 vehicles were delivered in the previous three months, leading many analysts to upgrade the stock. This demonstration of operational efficiency in the face of global supply chain challenges has rekindled investor confidence in the company’s ability to scale.

Should you invest £1,000 in easyJet right now?

When investing expert Mark Rogers has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for nearly a decade has provided thousands of paying members with top stock recommendations from the UK and US markets. And right now, Mark thinks there are 6 standout stocks that investors should consider buying. Want to see if easyJet made the list?

See the 6 stocks

The company has also made significant strides in its autonomous driving technology. Recent announcements about improvements in its Full Self-Driving (FSD) beta program have reignited excitement about Tesla’s potential in the AI and autonomous vehicle space.

Often overshadowed by its car business, Tesla’s energy generation and storage segment has shown promising growth. As the world increasingly focuses on renewable energy solutions, this division could become a major revenue driver for the company.

It’s worth noting that Tesla remains one of the most shorted stocks on the market. The rapid price increase in the last few days may have triggered a short squeeze, forcing short sellers to buy shares to cover their positions, further driving up the price.

The fundamentals

Despite this impressive rally, it’s important to note that Tesla’s stock is still down 12.8% over the past year. The company faces significant challenges, including increasing competition in the EV market, regulatory scrutiny, and concerns about valuation.

Looking at the fundamentals, Tesla trades at a price-to-earnings ratio of 57.6 times, significantly higher than traditional automakers but lower than many high-growth tech companies. Analysts forecast earnings growth of 12.61% per year, which could justify the premium valuation, if achieved.

Tesla’s financial health appears strong, with a low debt-to-equity ratio of 7.5% and a healthy profit margin of 14.41%. However, it’s worth being aware of the high level of non-cash earnings, which can skew some of these metrics.

Divisive as ever

As always with Tesla, opinions on its stock remain deeply divided. Some analysts see the company as significantly undervalued, with one discounted cash flow (DCF) calculation indicating a fair value of $355.30, suggesting as much as 34.9% growth from current levels. Many others argue that the stock is overvalued, with a more bearish view putting fair value at $170, suggesting Tesla stock is 36% higher than it should be.

The recent surge in the stock reflects a combination of improved market sentiment, strong operational performance, and excitement about the future. The company has been performing well through a challenging environment, but investors need to consider whether the volatility is worth the rewards. To me, I think the business is one of the most important in the world today, and will continue to hold onto my shares.

Like buying £1 for 31p

This seems ridiculous, but we almost never see shares looking this cheap. Yet this Share Advisor pick has a price/book ratio of 0.31. In plain English, this means that investors effectively get in on a business that holds £1 of assets for every 31p they invest!

Of course, this is the stock market where money is always at risk — these valuations can change and there are no guarantees. But some risks are a LOT more interesting than others, and at The Motley Fool we believe this company is amongst them.

What’s more, it currently boasts a stellar dividend yield of around 10%, and right now it’s possible for investors to jump aboard at near-historic lows. Want to get the name for yourself?

See the full investment case

Should you invest, the value of your investment may rise or fall and your capital is at risk. Before investing, your individual circumstances should be assessed. Consider taking independent financial advice.

Gordon Best has positions in Tesla. The Motley Fool UK has recommended Tesla. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.

More on Investing Articles

Investing Articles

The Rolls-Royce share price has fallen! Is this the moment investors have been waiting for?

Even the Rolls-Royce share price can't escape current stock market volatility, falling slightly over the last week. Should investors consider…

Read more »

Modern suburban family houses with car on driveway
Investing Articles

Down 59% from its 12-month highs, is this FTSE 250 stock too cheap to ignore?

Shares in FTSE 250 housebuilder Vistry are almost certainly too cheap to ignore. But are they discounted enough to offset…

Read more »

Young Asian woman with head in hands at her desk
Investing Articles

As the S&P 500 struggles to recover, here’s what Warren Buffett’s doing

The S&P 500 is fighting to regain its February highs amid ongoing trade tariff uncertainty. Our writer looks to the…

Read more »

Investing Articles

When will Lloyds shares hit £1?

Lloyds shares have surged over the past 12 months, but where will they go next? Dr James Fox thinks there’s…

Read more »

Middle-aged white man wearing glasses, staring into space over the top of his laptop in a coffee shop
Investing Articles

Stock-market crash: the meltdown of the Magnificent 7

Just before Christmas, these Magnificent Seven stocks were riding high. But after the worst quarter for US stocks since autumn…

Read more »

Investing Articles

Wow! IAG shares are undervalued by 47%, according to analysts

IAG shares have surged over the past 18 months, but analysts are pointing to more growth. Dr James Fox takes…

Read more »

Investing Articles

2 cheap FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 shares to consider for an ISA before 5 April!

These FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 shares are on sale today! Here's why long-term Stocks and Shares ISA investors should…

Read more »

Investing Articles

How I’m building a new second income for 2035

Millions of us invest for a second income. Here are the steps Dr James Fox is taking in order to…

Read more »