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Tesla, Inc. (TSLA)

  • Equity
  • US
  • Consumer Cyclical
Preparing report
RISK
RETURN
Key risk factors
High price volatility
Low default risk
Good trading liquidity
Key return factors
Excellent growth
Very strong margins and returns
Greatly overvalued vs peers

Company profileTesla, Inc. designs, develops, manufactures, leases, and sells electric vehicles, and energy generation and storage systems in the United States, China, and internationally. It operates in two segments, Automotive, and Energy Generation and Storage. The Automotive segment offers electric vehicles, as well as sells automotive regulatory credits; and non-warranty after-sales vehicle, used vehicles, retail merchandise, and vehicle insurance services. This segment also provides sedans and sport utility vehicles through direct and used vehicle sales, a network of Tesla Superchargers, and in-app upgrades; purchase financing and leasing services; services for electric vehicles through its company-owned service locations and Tesla mobile service technicians; and vehicle limited warranties and extended service plans. The Energy Generation and Storage segment engages in the design, manufacture, installation, sale, and leasing of solar energy generation and energy storage products, and related services to residential, commercial, and industrial customers and utilities through its website, stores, and galleries, as well as through a network of channel partners; and provision of service and repairs to its energy product customers, including under warranty, as well as various financing options to its solar customers. The company was formerly known as Tesla Motors, Inc. and changed its name to Tesla, Inc. in February 2017. Tesla, Inc. was incorporated in 2003 and is headquartered in Austin, Texas.
Valuation: Greatly overvalued

Multiple
TTM
NTM
P/E
35.00
55.90
PEG
0.80
-1.50
P/B
8.40
7.20
P/S
5.40
4.80
P/FCF
120.50
58.20
EV/EBITDA
37.90
30.70
Based on key historical and expected multiples, the stock is greatly overvalued relative to its peers. In particular, the stock is overpriced on P/E, 'expensive' on EV/EBITDA, and overvalued on P/FCF.
Performance: Slightly negative

The stock has been falling steadily in the past six months, losing 37% in total. The stock has lagged its global peers from the same sector and industry (as shown above), underperforming then by 52ppts in total. This is largely true for peers from the same country and sector. With respect to the stock's valuation against its peers, its overall price performance is slightly negative.
Analyst view: Neutral

The average target price is 212 and suggests 29% upside potential. Usually, this means a BUY recommendation among investment firms, or a recommendation to increase one's position in this instrument in the next 12 months. The most optimistic analyst has a target price of 380.0. This translates into 130% upside potential in the best case. On the other hand, the most pessimistic analyst has a target price of 24.3. This is equivalent to 85% downside potential in the worst case.
Profitability: Very strong

RoE
Tesla, Inc. reported a return on equity (RoE) of 23.9% in the last 12 months, down from 33.6% in FY22. The market consensus projects an RoE of 23.1% in FY24, again ahead of its peers.
RoA
Another important profitability metric, return on assets (RoA), amounted to 14.1% in the last 12 months, a decrease from 17.4% in FY22. The market analysts predict that RoA will be 13.6% in FY24, again stronger than its peers.
RoCE
In the last 12 months, the return on capital employed (RoCE) declined to 19.3%, above the peers. The consensus estimate for FY24 for RoCE is 11.0%, however, this time below its peers.
Net margin
EBITDA margin
Historically, TSLA has reported strong net margins compared to its global peers. Specifically, in the last 12 months, this metric equalled 15.5%, a growth from 15.4% in FY22. The company has reported average EBITDA margins compared to its global peers in recent years. EBITDA margin amounted to 14.0% in the last 12 months, a decline from 21.9% in FY22.
RoIC / WACC = 2(strong value creation)
The ratio of return on invested capital (RoIC) to the weighted average cost of capital (WACC) has been 2.0 in the past several years. This ratio implies a strong shareholder value creation.
Growth: Excellent

Revenue
EBITDA
EPS
Free cash flow
TSLA reported revenue of USD 96 773mn in the last 12 months, up 19% from FY22. At the same time, the dynamics of cash flow, as measured by free cash flow (FCF), were drastically different. EPS grew 18% from FY22 to USD 4.73. Market expects EPS to reach USD 3.03 in FY24.Revenue has been growing rapidly in the past several years (strongly positive), while EBITDA has grown very rapidly in recent years (positive). This all contributed to very fast EPS growth (strongly positive). Free cash flow naturally followed the growing EBITDA trend. We emphasize the highly volatile dynamics of EBITDA, EPS and FCF.
Dividends: Very low or none

The company does not pay dividends at all, or it pays them sporadically.
Default risk: Low

The risk of default is low. We note resilient historical revenue growth, solid return on capital, strong debt servicing capacity, adequate interest coverage, solid cash flow generation, and an favourable capital structure, among the positive credit factors. Among the negative credit factors, we point to poor working capital management.
Volatility: High

In normal market circumstances, TSLA is highly volatile. Put differently, without outstanding market volatility or shocking company news, the stock's price will change somewhat erratically. The stock's losses on its worst days (less than 1-5% of the time) will range from critical to immense.
Stress-test: Average

In highly turbulent market conditions, TSLA is moderately volatile. In other words, the stock will fall more than the index in times of extreme market volatility or shocking company news. Standalone, the worst-day losses (less than 1% of the time) will likely be moderate.
Selling difficulty: Good liquidity

TSLA boasts high trading liquidity. The average private investor can sell his common position in the stock immediately. Liquidity is usually very stable and remains extremely favourable on the days with the lowest activity. However, please consider that under highly turbulent market conditions, the trading volume tends to decrease significantly.
Country risk: Very low

The institutional, legal, and compliance risks associated with the company's country are minimal. In combination with stringent business standards, shareholder rights are very highly protected.
Other risks: Negligible

No other major risks have been identified.