There are clear dangers with betting against brilliant Elon Musk and Tesla

There are clear dangers with betting against brilliant Elon Musk and Tesla

  • 22.03.2025 14:39
  • nypost.com
  • Keywords: Betting Against Elon Musk, Wall Street Expectations

Betting against Elon Musk and Tesla is risky despite their challenges and high valuations.

Tesla NewsTSLAsentiment_dissatisfiedXOMsentiment_satisfied
open_in_newOriginal article

Estimated market influence

Tesla

Tesla

Negativesentiment_dissatisfied
Analyst rating: Neutral

Musk's distraction with DOGE and political involvement could negatively impact Tesla's stock performance.

SpaceX

Positivesentiment_satisfied
Analyst rating: N/A

No direct negative impact mentioned, but part of Musk's diverse ventures.

Starlink

Positivesentiment_satisfied
Analyst rating: N/A

Likely contributing to Musk's overall image and ventures, no direct negative impact.

X

X

Positivesentiment_satisfied
Analyst rating: Buy

Part of Musk's business empire, no direct negative impact mentioned.

Context

Analysis of Business Insights and Market Implications

Key Facts and Data Points

  • Elon Musk's Influence: Betting against Elon Musk is likened to betting against Mike Tyson in his prime, highlighting his resilience and market dominance.
  • Tesla Valuation:
    • Tesla’s PE ratio: 122x, compared to the S&P average of 20-25x.
    • Share price performance:
      • Down 34% year-to-date (YTD) as of March 2025.
      • Up 45% over the past year.
      • Surged by over 1,000% since 2018.
  • Investor Sentiment: Investors are divided due to Musk's distractions (e.g., DOGE-related activities) and regulatory challenges.

Market Trends and Business Impact

  • High Valuation Concerns: Tesla’s high PE ratio raises questions about its valuation, with critics pointing to potential overvaluation.
  • Production Challenges: Past issues with EV production led to near-bankruptcy fears in 2018, but the company has since recovered significantly.
  • Regulatory Risks: Historical regulatory scrutiny, including the "funding secured" incident, underscores ongoing risks.

Competitive Dynamics

  • Product Pipeline: Tesla’s future growth is supported by upcoming products like the Cybercab (launching next year) and a semi-truck factory completion in 2025.
  • Analyst Outlook: Prominent analyst Dan Ives remains bullish on Tesla, expecting Musk to refocus on core business after DOGE distractions.

Strategic Considerations

  • Diversification of Interests: Musk’s involvement with multiple ventures (Tesla, SpaceX, Starlink, X) could impact his ability to focus on Tesla’s operations.
  • Investor Psychology: Despite challenges, Musk’s track record and innovation continue to attract long-term investors.

Long-Term Effects and Regulatory Impacts

  • Regulatory Scrutiny: Past regulatory issues suggest ongoing risks, though Tesla has proven resilient.
  • Market Sentiment: Investors must weigh the potential for continued growth against the risks of overvaluation and regulatory actions.

This analysis highlights Tesla’s complex market position, driven by innovation and leadership but also marked by high valuations and regulatory uncertainties.