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Somewhat Bullish +50

J.P. Morgan ends bearish Tesla call that was predicting a 65% stock drop

📉 J.P. Morgan analyst Rajat Gupta has taken over Tesla coverage from previous bear Ryan Brinkman.

🔄 The firm upgraded its rating on Tesla stock from underweight to neutral.

💰 Gupta raised the price target from $145 to $475, implying less downside than previously predicted.

🤖 Analysts now view Tesla's vertical integration of software and hardware as a unique industrial advantage.

⏳ The new valuation model focuses on earnings potential in 2030 rather than current lofty multiples.

📉 Gupta advises investors to remain patient for better entry points due to potential near-term risks.

🚗 Future stock performance is expected to depend on progress with the robotaxi and Optimus projects.

📈 Revenue and margin inflection are anticipated to occur after the current period of heavy spending.

📉 Tesla shares were down about 1% shortly after market open following the news.

Bullish Signals
  • J.P. Morgan analyst Rajat Gupta upgraded Tesla's rating from underweight to neutral, signaling a shift in sentiment from the previous bearish view.
  • The new price target was raised to $475, up from the previous analyst's target of $145 which implied significant downside.
  • Gupta highlighted Tesla's 'unique advantage' in vertically integrating software and hardware at an unmatched industrial scale.
  • Management is expected to see revenue and margin performance inflect higher starting in 2030 following current spending periods.
  • Future stock direction is tied to anticipated progress on robotaxi and Optimus developments, providing positive catalysts for investors.
Risk Factors
  • Tesla's valuation is described as 'clearly lofty' at 195 times estimated adjusted earnings per share for fiscal 2027.
  • J.P. Morgan analyst Rajat Gupta advises investors to remain patient rather than turning bullish immediately, citing potential near-term risks from index diversification toward other growth stories which could offer better entry points once valuation levels adjust.
  • Future share performance is expected to be tied to incremental progress on the robotaxi and Optimus projects, along with improving visibility on a forward earnings reset and eventual revenue and margin inflection as the current period of heavy spending concludes.
Full Analysis
J.P. Morgan has upgraded its rating on Tesla (TSLA) from underweight to neutral following a change in analyst coverage, with Rajat Gupta replacing the previous bearish analyst Ryan Brinkman. The new target price is set at $475, up from Brinkman's prior target of $145 which implied 65% downside from Thursday's closing price of $418.45. Gupta acknowledges Tesla's valuation is "clearly lofty" at 195 times estimated adjusted earnings per share for fiscal 2027 but argues the company possesses underappreciated advantages in vertical integration and technological development that provide a starting-point advantage. The analyst advises investors to remain patient rather than turning bullish immediately, citing potential near-term risks from index diversification toward other growth stories which could offer better entry points once valuation levels adjust. Future share performance is expected to be tied to incremental progress on the robotaxi and Optimus projects, along with improving visibility on a forward earnings reset and eventual revenue and margin inflection as the current period of heavy spending concludes. Tesla shares were down about 1% shortly after market open following the announcement.