What Did We Learn from Tesla's Earnings? Is it a Buy Again?
In terms of earnings, Tesla reported adjusted earnings of $1.19 per share compared to consensus estimates of $1.13 per share.
avatar
Mike Sakuraba graduated with double major of English and Economics. Part time writer, part time investor, full time dad. Mike loves writing about technology, sports, and investing.
2023-01-28 11:30

Tesla Tops Wall Street Estimates for the Fourth Quarter
Despite all of the negative headlines that Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) CEO Elon Musk has faced over the past few months, the company’s earnings call on Wednesday was a reminder of just how powerful the EV maker is. Tesla topped Wall Street estimates yet again and reported record revenue and a stunning forecast for 2023’s production estimates.
What Did We Learn from Tesla's Earnings? Is it a Buy Again?
In terms of earnings, Tesla reported adjusted earnings of $1.19 per share compared to consensus estimates of $1.13 per share. Revenue came in at $24.32 billion compared to projections of $24.16 billion for the quarter. Automotive revenue came in 33% higher on a year-over-year basis.

On the negative side, gross margins fell to 25.9%, the lowest level for Tesla over the past five quarters. Operating cash flow fell to $3.28 billion for the quarter. This represented a 36% sequential decline from the third quarter and a 29% decline on a year-over-year basis. Although shares of the stock rose by about 5.5% following the report, these are certainly some red flags that investors should monitor.

Tesla Could Produce 2 Million Cars in 2023
Musk made the proclamation that if there were no supply chain disruptions this year, Tesla could produce 2 million vehicles. The enigmatic CEO feels that there is a demand for 2 million but that 1.8 million might be a more realistic figure. Musk also reiterated that production of the Cybertruck will begin this year, although any meaningful scale will not occur until 2024 at the earliest.

The company also revealed that this January has seen the highest orders for years to date in Tesla’s history. Part of this has no doubt been sparked by the recent price drops that Tesla has made around the world. This prompted a comment from long-term Tesla bull Dan Ives of Wedbush that the company is sacrificing margins for delivery volume. Ives was bullish on Tesla, as were analysts at both Bank of America and Citigroup which raised their price targets for the stock.

So What?
Overall, it was a good earnings report from Tesla. The stock had been under immense selling pressure at the end of 2022. It is good to know that Musk’s focus on Twitter has not had a negative impact on Tesla. On the surface, earnings and revenue beats are always good and investors will typically reward that.

When you peel back the layers, the drop in gross margin is certainly worrisome. This has long been one of the most attractive things about the company for investors. As prices continue to drop, the margins could slide lower as well. The company seems more invested in pumping out a high number of vehicles rather than increasing its profits.

Am I bullish on Tesla again? Not exactly. I think a part of me will always believe in the company due to how it revolutionized the automobile industry. But I’ve said it before: Tesla can continue to be a great company and the global leader in electric vehicles, without the stock price growing exponentially. ARK Invest raised its price target to $1,600 by 2025. It’s possible, but it is also probably more possible that by 2025, Tesla sees way more competition from other automakers and less pricing power than it has now.


Disclaimer: I have no positions in any of the stocks mentioned. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. All information should be independently verified and should not be relied upon for purposes of transacting securities or other investments. See terms for more info.

Rate this article

positive
negative
Published On
2023-01-28 11:30

avatar
About the Author
Mike Sakuraba graduated with double major of English and Economics. Part time writer, part time investor, full time dad. Mike loves writing about technology, sports, and investing.

Analyst Ratings
Target Price$263.11
# of Analysts37
Last updated2022-12-09

buy-coffee
You've read 1 article in the last year
..thank you for supporting us and for visiting our site. Unlike many other sites, The Dog of Wall Street is available for everyone to read. Our focus is to provide great content for free. Do you like what we are doing? Buy us a cup coffee. It is the fuel that keeps us going..

What on Earth Happened to SVB Financial Group (SIVB)?
What is in Store for Silicon Valley Bank?
By Mike Sakuraba | 1 week ago

2 Tech Stocks to Consider for the Long Term
Even with all of the bearishness in the markets, as investors, we should be looking for quality stocks.
By Mike Sakuraba | 1 week ago

Why Tesla's Recent Event Failed to Deliver
Tesla's recent event failed to meet investors' expectations due to the lack of a Next Generation EV announcement.
By Staff | 2 weeks ago

Qualcomm's partnership with Iridium takes connectivity to new heights
Qualcomm's partnership with Iridium brings satellite-based messaging technology to phones, laptops and other devices, providing new opportunities for connectivity in any location.
By Staff | 2 months ago

Hologic's Fiscal Q1 2023 Earnings: A Ray of Hope in a Stormy Year
Hologic has managed to achieve impressive financial results in Fiscal Q1 2023.
By Staff | 2 months ago

Why Small and Mid-Cap Stocks Deserve Your Attention
Why valuations make small and mid-cap stocks an attractive option in a potential recession.
By Staff | 2 months ago

Get Ready for a Bumpy Year
Despite strong job creation numbers, deeper issues lurk beneath the surface as the Federal Reserve's rate hikes and high inflation threaten to derail the economy.
By Staff | 2 months ago