Analysis

TeslaUS500

Tesla earnings - a very unTesla set of numbers

Chris Weston
Head of Research
26 Apr 2021
Amazon may have put in c.30% of the points in the NAS100 and look primed for a new all-time high, but the focus from the equity-minded clients was naturally Tesla.

With an 8% implied move (derived from options prices) and a pedigree for movement in past quarterly earnings reports, it’s not hard to see why – for those who want to capture the instant move, trading in the post-market can be appealing and this is where we can offer an edge.

To others, holding positions over news can work against their strategy and pose a key risk, so will reduce, or exit exposures in the lead up to the event. However, in this instance the numbers and guidance seen from Tesla were, well, very unTesla and there were few shocks.

The initial reaction then was to sell with price trading down over 2% in post-market trade to a low of $715 - perhaps just a few weak longs hoping for more definitive guidance taking some off the table - buyers have picked up the pace as we head through the conference call.

27_04_2021_DFX1.png

(Source: Tradingview)

Q1 EPS was again hotter than forecast, but when we’re assessing its operating profits it all came from regulatory credits of $518m and the sale of $272m of Bitcoin (from the initial purchase of $1.5b Bitcoin in Q1) turning a profit of $101m. Operating expenses were notably higher.

Revenue was inline, gross margins at 22% were better than consensus (21.4%), with costs falling far faster than price (despite Average Selling Price falling 13%) and free cash flow was far better than the street were eyeing. Deliveries had already been announced for the quarter (Q1), but the full-year guidance ‘to achieve 50% growth’ puts them on a minimum full-year delivery rate of 750,000 vehicles, with the consensus at 830,000 vehicles. Not much to sink your teeth into. We’ve also seen the news that the first deliveries of the Model S rolling out soon and the production rate of Model Y is picking up pace too.

As we had stipulated in the Tesla preview the market was keen to hear an update on new models and this should keep the street happy.

We also heard of two new factories progressing well in Austin and Berlin with first deliveries in ‘late 2021’, which should help keep pace with the evolution in EV, with the order rate as healthy as the company has seen in its history - but again this will not shock the market.

All-in-all a safe, but uninspiring set of numbers in a company driven by sentiment and the concept of the future rather than traditional fundamentals.

Ready to trade?

It's quick and easy to get started. Apply in minutes with our simple application process.

The material provided here has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such is considered to be a marketing communication. Whilst it is not subject to any prohibition on dealing ahead of the dissemination of investment research we will not seek to take any advantage before providing it to our clients.

Pepperstone doesn’t represent that the material provided here is accurate, current or complete, and therefore shouldn’t be relied upon as such. The information, whether from a third party or not, isn’t to be considered as a recommendation; or an offer to buy or sell; or the solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any security, financial product or instrument; or to participate in any particular trading strategy. It does not take into account readers’ financial situation or investment objectives. We advise any readers of this content to seek their own advice. Without the approval of Pepperstone, reproduction or redistribution of this information isn’t permitted.