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.
- 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.
- 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.