Tesla’s ambitious plans for a fully autonomous vehicle took center stage this week as former U.S. President Donald Trump publicly endorsed the company and confirmed his purchase of a Tesla Model S. In a viral moment on social media, Trump also hinted at the launch of Tesla’s much-anticipated self-driving vehicle, the Cybercab, which CEO Elon Musk later confirmed will enter production in Texas in 2026.
Vijay Shekhar Sharma Joins the Cybercab Hype
The buzz around Tesla’s upcoming autonomous vehicle gained further traction when Vijay Shekhar Sharma, the founder of Paytm, shared his excitement on X (formerly Twitter). Posting a video of Trump’s remarks, Sharma amplified discussions about Tesla’s groundbreaking advancements in artificial intelligence and autonomous driving technology.
“Next year a car without steering wheels. Cybercar is coming,” Sharma wrote, echoing the enthusiasm of tech and automotive enthusiasts worldwide.
Trump’s Tesla Endorsement and Cybercab Revelation
During an interaction with reporters at the White House driveway, Trump expressed admiration for Tesla’s innovation while acknowledging his own skepticism about fully autonomous vehicles.
“…by the way, he (Elon Musk) makes one car — this one I don’t understand, this one I don’t want, but that’s okay — without a steering wheel that comes out next year, explain that please…” Trump remarked, referring to the Cybercab.
In response, Musk confirmed Tesla’s bold vision, stating, “The Cybercab starts production in Texas next year (2026), and it’s a self-driving — we are so confident in its self-driving that it lets you not have a steering wheel, it will not have pedals. It will self-drive or not drive at all, but it will self-drive.”
The exchange ended on a lighthearted note, with Trump joking, “And I’m gonna pass on that particular car…” drawing laughter from Musk and the gathered audience.
The Future of Autonomous Driving with Tesla
With Tesla continuing to push the boundaries of self-driving technology, the Cybercab’s confirmed production timeline sets the stage for a major leap in the transportation industry. While concerns over safety, regulatory approvals, and adoption remain, Musk’s confidence in a steering wheel-free future signals Tesla’s unwavering commitment to full automation.
As global investors, industry leaders, and consumers closely follow Tesla’s next moves, the excitement surrounding the Cybercab is only growing. With Trump’s high-profile endorsement and Sharma’s viral post adding fuel to the conversation, all eyes are now on Tesla’s next breakthrough in self-driving technology.
Proficio Capital Partners Acquires Stake in American Airlines Amid Institutional Interest
Proficio Capital Partners LLC has made a significant move by acquiring a new stake in American Airlines Group Inc. (NASDAQ: AAL) during the fourth quarter, as revealed in its latest 13F SEC filing. The fund purchased 13,229 shares of the airline, valued at approximately $231,000, highlighting growing institutional interest in the stock.
Hedge Funds and Institutional Investors Show Confidence
Proficio Capital Partners is not alone in increasing its exposure to American Airlines. Several hedge funds and institutional investors have been actively buying and selling AAL shares:
- Golden State Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake worth $25,000.
- Brooklyn Investment Group boosted its position by 133.1% in Q4.
- Bfsg LLC increased its holdings by 269.3%.
- Quent Capital LLC expanded its position by 70.2%.
- Principal Securities Inc. grew its stake by 139.6%.
Currently, institutional investors own approximately 52.44% of American Airlines Group, reflecting strong market confidence in the airline’s future.
American Airlines Stock Performance & Market Outlook
NASDAQ: AAL opened at $11.46, with a market cap of $7.54 billion. The stock has a P/E ratio of 10.05 and a beta of 1.27. Over the past year, AAL has fluctuated between a low of $9.07 and a high of $19.10. While the stock has faced volatility, its 50-day moving average price remains at $16.33, and its 200-day moving average price stands at $14.44.
Strong Q4 Earnings Beat Analyst Expectations
American Airlines reported robust Q4 earnings on January 23, posting an EPS of $0.86—significantly surpassing analyst expectations of $0.39. The airline also demonstrated a return to profitability with a net margin of 1.56%, despite industry challenges. Analysts predict an EPS of 2.42 for the current year, reflecting optimism about the company’s operational strategies and cost management.
Analyst Ratings and Price Targets for AAL
Analyst sentiment remains largely positive, with multiple firms upgrading their ratings:
- Redburn Atlantic upgraded AAL from “Neutral” to “Buy” with a price target of $24.00.
- Citigroup raised its price target to $21.50 and assigned a “Buy” rating.
- Melius upgraded the stock from “Hold” to “Buy” with a $23.00 target.
- Raymond James reiterated an “Outperform” rating with a $23.00 price objective.
- Bank of America shifted AAL from “Underperform” to “Neutral,” increasing its price objective from $12.00 to $20.00.
Currently, six analysts rate AAL as a “Hold,” thirteen as a “Buy,” and three as a “Strong Buy,” with a consensus target price of $19.62, according to MarketBeat.com.
Insider Activity Highlights
Insider trading activity has also drawn attention, with key executives reducing their holdings:
- SVP Angela Owens sold 51,906 shares at an average price of $17.15, totaling $890,187.90.
- CEO Robert D. Isom, Jr. offloaded 102,441 shares at $17.21, generating $1,763,009.61 in proceeds.
Despite these sales, insider ownership remains stable at 0.49%, demonstrating continued alignment with shareholder interests.
American Airlines’ Global Network and Strategic Positioning
As one of the world’s largest airlines, American Airlines Group operates a vast network of hubs and partner gateways, including key cities such as Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and Washington, DC. The airline’s international presence extends to London, Doha, Madrid, Sydney, and Tokyo, strengthening its competitive advantage in global air travel.
With strong earnings performance, institutional investor confidence, and bullish analyst ratings, American Airlines remains a stock to watch in 2025.
