Tesla falls ahead of earnings as Model S stalls out
Bad press from a test drive may have caused a negative reaction to shares.
By Sam Mattera Shares of Tesla (TSLA) were weaker early on Monday ahead of the company's fourth quarter earnings report scheduled after the close. Tesla shares dropped over 3% at one point, though pared some of those losses later in the day.
The source of the drop might have been this piece in the New York Times. The author, John Broder, details a road trip he attempted in a new Tesla Model S. Unfortunately, he struggled to complete the trip, as his Tesla ran out of charge. Ultimately, the car had to be towed after it shut down on the freeway.
Broder blamed the cold weather and the lack of adequate charging infrastructure for the Model S's poor driving range. Both issues have long been seen as fatal flaws for electric cars.
Green Car Report, for example, acknowledges what they refer to as the cold weather "myth." Yet, Broder's experience would tend to conflict with their findings. Either way, if Broder's Tesla experience is in any way typical, the company might struggle to sell its vehicles to the broader public.
As for earnings, analysts currently expect Tesla to report a loss of $0.53 per share on revenue of $298.90 million. More important than actual earnings results, however, might be the total volume of cars sold, as investors digest the success of Tesla's vehicles in the marketplace.
Shares of Tesla are up significantly over the last three months -- more than 25% -- and much of that gain has come in January.
Interestingly, Tesla had a short interest near 37% back on January 15. That may have come down somewhat, partially explaining the sharp rally in the shares during the second half of January.
Still, going into earnings, shares are likely heavily shorted. Traders might look for a short squeeze in after-hours trading if the company beats expectations.
Shares of Tesla traded just over $38 Monday afternoon.
More from Benzinga
awww!! the phony 'green' electric car propaganda fell down and go boom!!! seriously folks is this a surprise?? who the hell can afford these stupid testaments to a failed green energy agenda except the very rich who the left despises so much in the first place! how can it possibly be profitable?? mainstream AMERICA is outta work!! they can't possibly afford to buy these ridiculous 'failures' of technology anyway!
heheh gotta luv this stuff!!!! one failure after another with this phony green energy FRAUD cuz that's what it is, meanwhile wind power turbines are another such failure of green energy policies, not only do they cost more to maintain than they produce electricity, but they are responsible for 100's of Bald Eagle deaths as well!!! those bigazz stupid propellers kills thousands of small birds as well, but the Bald EAgle that was just brought back from the brink of extinction is now threatened again by none other than stupid liberal agendas that are ALL FAILURES!! of course Tesla is in trouble financially, of course Fisker is too, so now what? are we as taxpayers gonna continue to foot the bill for these failed auto makers? for how long?? the chevy dolt is in the same boat with the rest of these stupid green cars that no one can afford!!GM aka obamamotors in loosing millions on the chevy dolt!! and instead of cancelling the brand they continue to hemorrhage taxpayer dollars, the same monies that gave them new life only to wind up committing financial suicide anyway!! hehe welcome the FAILED OBAMANATION formerly known as the Great Nation of America!
The Tea Party Patriots’ mission is to restore America’s founding principles of Fiscal Responsibility, Constitutionally Limited Government and Free Markets.
The point LostYoMind is, your Messiah is going on his 5th yr. and he owns it....now go play doctor with your Barbie Dolls and STFU you stupid liberal turd...yuk yuk.
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