Despite receiving a notable downgrade from a major Wall Street institution, Tesla’s stock demonstrated resilience in Wednesday’s trading session. The electric vehicle maker’s shares held their ground against analyst caution, drawing strength from encouraging operational updates from its critical Chinese market.
Operational Milestones Counter Valuation Concerns
The positive sentiment was primarily fueled by data released by the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA). Tesla’s sales in China, including exports, reached approximately 86,700 vehicles for the month of November. This figure represents a year-over-year increase of 9.9%, effectively countering narratives about waning demand within the world’s largest EV market. The results underscore Tesla’s ability to maintain its competitive position against formidable local rivals such as BYD.
Adding to the positive operational news, Tesla’s Shanghai Gigafactory celebrated a significant production achievement this week, rolling its four-millionth vehicle off the assembly line. Demonstrating remarkable manufacturing efficiency, the facility required only about 14 months to produce its latest million units. This plant serves as a pivotal export hub for Tesla’s global operations.
Analyst Downgrade Highlights Valuation Debate
The stock’s stability came even as Morgan Stanley analyst Andrew Percoco adjusted his firm’s rating on Tesla from “Overweight” to “Equal-weight.” The move was attributed to the company’s ambitious valuation following its recent share price appreciation. The analyst suggested that many positive future developments, particularly within Tesla’s energy and non-automotive business segments, are already reflected in the current share price.
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Interestingly, Morgan Stanley simultaneously raised its price target for the stock. This contrasting action signals a belief in the underlying strength of Tesla’s business model, while indicating that the equity is currently trading at a premium. Technical indicators appear to support this cautious stance, with the stock’s Relative Strength Index (RSI) reading of 73.7 placing it in overbought territory.
Broader Ecosystem Provides Tailwind
Market sentiment received an additional, albeit indirect, boost from reports concerning Elon Musk’s SpaceX. Speculation about a potential initial public offering for the aerospace company in 2026, with a rumored valuation of up to $800 billion, reinforced confidence in the broader Musk ecosystem. Investors often interpret such developments as supportive of the so-called “Musk premium” associated with Tesla’s valuation.
Attention now shifts to the year-end performance and whether the current momentum can be sustained. Market participants are eagerly awaiting the global delivery figures for the full year, due in early January. Following the strong November results from China, expectations are mounting for a robust fourth-quarter delivery report.
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