Tesla (TSLA) stock rallied hard on the price charts following the electric vehicle (EV) maker's blowout earnings last month, rising more than 25% from October 23 to October 25. However, shares have been in a downtrend ever since – currently headed toward a six-day losing streak – which could be due to CEO Elon Musk actively participating in the Republican presidential campaign.
Musk has been campaigning for former President Donald Trump and formed the America PAC to support values that the two agree on, including secure borders, sensible spending and free speech. Trump has stated that if he is re-elected, he will create a government efficiency commission dedicated to sensible spending and it will be led by Musk.
However, while Musk and Trump align on many major issues, there are question marks surrounding how a Trump presidency would impact Tesla.
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Become a smarter, better informed investor. Subscribe from just $107.88 $24.99, plus get up to 4 Special Issues
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
"We believe a Trump presidency would be an overall negative for the EV industry as likely the EV rebates and tax incentives get pulled," says Wedbush Daniel Ives. But for Tesla, Ives sees a Trump win as a potential positive with some caveats.
"Tesla has the scale and scope that is unmatched in the EV industry, and this dynamic could give Musk and Tesla a clear competitive advantage in a non-EV subsidy environment, coupled with likely higher China tariffs that would continue to push away cheaper Chinese EV players from flooding the U.S. market over the coming years," Ives notes.
In the case of a Harris win, Ives expects the EV tax credits will remain in place "and ultimately increased in 2025 as the goal to get more U.S. consumers towards EVs would be a laser focus in a Harris administration."
Wedbush has an Outperform (Buy) rating and $300 price target on TSLA stock.
Is Tesla stock a buy, sell or hold?
Tesla's latest losing streak has the shares trading in negative territory for the year to date and Wall Street is staying on the sidelines when it comes to the Magnificent 7 stock.
According to S&P Global Market Intelligence, the average analyst target price for TSLA stock is $222.68, representing a discount of more than 9% to current levels. Meanwhile, the consensus recommendation is a Hold.
Financial services firm CFRA Research has a Hold rating on Tesla, but raised its price target to $265 from $225 following its third-quarter earnings results.
"We raise our target in the aftermath of the company's Q3 earnings release and conference call, recognizing the willingness of investors to pay higher multiples for TSLA shares due to increased excitement related to the company's longer-term growth prospects," said CFRA Research analyst Garrett Nelson in an October 28 note.
The consumer discretionary stock's valuation has always been a pain point for analysts, Nelson says, with "bears arguing that the stock has been unjustifiably overvalued relative to auto industry peers for many years. We have long argued that TSLA should instead be valued as a 21st century, sustainable transportation, energy, and technology company and therefore valuation is more arbitrary."
Related Content
-
Crypto Trends to Watch in 2026Cryptocurrency is still less than 20 years old, but it remains a fast-moving (and also maturing) market. Here are the crypto trends to watch for in 2026.
-
Original Medicare vs Medicare Advantage Quiz: Which is Right for You?Quiz Take this quick quiz to discover your "Medicare Personality Type" and learn whether you are a Traditionalist, or a Bundler.
-
Ask the Editor: Capital Gains and Tax PlanningAsk the Editor In this week's Ask the Editor Q&A, Joy Taylor answers questions on capital gains tax rates and end-of-year tax planning
-
Crypto Trends to Watch in 2026
Cryptocurrency is still less than 20 years old, but it remains a fast-moving (and also maturing) market. Here are the crypto trends to watch for in 2026.
-
Time Is Running Out to Make the Best Moves to Save on Your 2025 TaxesDon't wait until January — investors, including those with a high net worth, can snag big tax savings for 2025 (and 2026) with these strategies.
-
4 Smart Ways Retirees Can Give More to Charity, From a Financial AdviserFor retirees, tax efficiency and charitable giving should go hand in hand. After all, why not maximize your gifts and minimize the amount that goes to the IRS?
-
I'm an Insurance Pro: If You Do One Boring Task Before the End of the Year, Make It This One (It Could Save You Thousands)Who wants to check insurance policies when there's fun to be had? Still, making sure everything is up to date (coverage and deductibles) can save you a ton.
-
Small Caps Hit a New High on Rate-Cut Hope: Stock Market TodayOdds for a December rate cut remain high after the latest batch of jobs data, which helped the Russell 2000 outperform today.
-
What Investors May Face in the New Year: InterviewKeith Lerner, the chief market strategist and chief investment officer for Truist Wealth, speaks with Kiplinger.
-
3 Year-End Tax Strategies for Retirees With $2 Million to $10 MillionTo avoid the OBBB messing up your whole tax strategy, get your Roth conversions and charitable bunching done by year's end.
-
'Politics' Is a Dirty Word for Some Financial Advisers: 3 Reasons This Financial Planner Vehemently DisagreesYour financial plan should be aligned with your values and your politics. If your adviser refuses to talk about them, it's time to go elsewhere.
