Many people view Tesla stock (NASDAQ:TSLA) as a shaky investment right now.
A high valuation, a recent net income decrease, and founder and CEO Elon Musk’s PR difficulties are all risks I must consider.
Nonetheless, the company is my top stock this December, and I’m buying more. Here are the top three reasons why.
1. Down around 40%
The stock is currently down around 40% from its all-time high. It started falling in October 2021.
This presents a compelling opportunity for me. I’m always gutted when I miss an investment in a great company when the shares are on sale. This time, I’m not letting Tesla pass me by.
However, some immediate risks with the price include a price-to-earnings ratio of around 75, which is very high, even by technology sector standards.
And a low price doesn’t mean the price won’t fall further. That’s why, as a Fool, I’m well diversified in my portfolio. That keeps me protected from industry, geography, and company-specific risk.
2. AI initiatives
I’m most excited by Tesla’s autonomous driving initiatives driven by artificial intelligence (AI). I believe this is going to help Tesla’s margins significantly.
This development is important to me because the company saw a drop in net income recently, from $12.6bn in 2022 to $10.8bn for the last trailing 12-month period.
With margins being one of the company’s most critiqued financial points, I believe that if it successfully implements autonomous taxi initiatives, it will become strong on this front.
My strong sentiment for Tesla’s future related to this hinges on the fact that the company could technically still be successful if it sold its cars at no initial profit. If it revenue shares autonomous taxi services on a 50/50 revenue split with Tesla vehicle owners, it would be raking in cash daily for years after a car is sold to market.
3. Energy storage
Tesla’s energy storage business develops and distributes advanced battery storage systems. These include the Powerwall for residential use and the Megapack for larger utility projects. Both of these products store and manage renewable energy efficiently.
Amazingly, in the third quarter of 2023, energy storage revenues increased by 40% compared to the previous year. Gross profit for this area of Tesla’s business also increased by 266%.
Its energy storage systems are compatible with various technologies from other manufacturers. They can integrate with solar panels, grid systems, microgrids, and smart home systems.
It’s worth noting, however, that energy storage is only 6.7% of Tesla’s total revenues as of the third quarter of 2023. Therefore, I mustn’t overly weigh this segment of Tesla’s income in my analysis of its general company health.
Moving forward
Considering the above, I am a happy shareholder of Tesla shares. However, a closer look at one of the risks might be warranted.
Elon Musk has a very controversial public presence. There are both advantages and disadvantages to this. The share price may have risen to such a high valuation partly because of his celebrity presence and leadership. Alternatively, the stock can carry a lot of volatility due to his unpredictable comments.
Overall, I’m doubling down on Tesla shares. I love the company, and the rewards far outweigh the risks to me.
The post 3 top reasons why Tesla stock is a ‘buy’ to me appeared first on The Motley Fool UK.
Like buying £1 for 51p
This seems ridiculous, but we almost never see shares looking this cheap. Yet this recent ‘Best Buy Now’ has a price/book ratio of 0.51. In plain English, this means that investors effectively get in on a business that holds £1 of assets for every 51p they invest!
Of course, this is the stock market where money is always at risk — these valuations can change and there are no guarantees. But some risks are a LOT more interesting than others, and at The Motley Fool we believe this company is amongst them.
What’s more, it currently boasts a stellar dividend yield of around 8.5%, and right now it’s possible for investors to jump aboard at near-historic lows. Want to get the name for yourself?
See the full investment case
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More reading
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The Tesla share price is a bargain to me
Oliver Rodzianko has positions in Tesla. The Motley Fool UK has recommended Tesla. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.
