Tesla, Inc. (NASDAQ: TSLA) continues to attract institutional investors as Highland Financial Advisors LLC recently acquired a new stake in the electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer. According to the latest SEC filings, the firm purchased 1,515 shares of Tesla stock, valued at approximately $612,000, during the fourth quarter.
Institutional Investors Show Confidence in Tesla
This move is part of a broader trend where hedge funds and institutional investors have either increased or reduced their positions in Tesla. Other notable investments include:
- Transcendent Capital Group LLC acquiring a new stake worth $29,000 in Q3.
- Peterson Financial Group Inc. investing $35,000 in Tesla during the same quarter.
- Farmers & Merchants Trust Co of Chambersburg PA making a fresh purchase of $46,000 in Q4.
- PayPay Securities Corp increasing its position by 130.2% in Q4, now owning 122 shares worth $49,000.
- E Fund Management Hong Kong Co. Ltd. expanding its Tesla holdings by 692.6% in Q3, bringing its total to 214 shares valued at $56,000.
With hedge funds and institutional investors owning 66.20% of Tesla’s stock, confidence in the company’s future remains strong despite recent stock fluctuations.
Insider Transactions Highlight Key Moves
Tesla’s internal leadership has also been making significant transactions. CFO Vaibhav Taneja sold 7,000 shares on December 2nd at an average price of $354.43, netting $2.48 million. This sale represents a 6.25% decrease in his holdings.
Similarly, Director Kathleen Wilson-Thompson offloaded 100,000 shares on December 4th at an average price of $352.54, totaling $35.25 million. Post-sale, she now holds only 5,400 shares, marking a 94.88% reduction in ownership.
Over the last 90 days, Tesla insiders have collectively sold 523,386 shares valued at $195.99 million. Despite this, insiders still retain 20.70% of the company’s stock, signaling ongoing commitment.
Tesla Stock Performance and Market Analysis
Tesla’s stock opened at $354.11 on Wednesday, reflecting a 0.5% decline. Key financial indicators include:
- 52-Week Range: $138.80 – $488.54
- Market Capitalization: $1.14 Trillion
- P/E Ratio: 173.58
- Price-to-Earnings Growth Ratio: 6.22
- Beta: 2.34
The stock’s 50-day moving average sits at $405.64, while its 200-day moving average is $309.75. Tesla remains a dominant player in the EV industry, with a quick ratio of 1.61, a current ratio of 2.02, and a low debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08.
Tesla’s Q4 Earnings Report and Analyst Ratings
In its latest earnings report on January 29th, Tesla posted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.66, missing analyst expectations of $0.74. The company reported a return on equity of 10.31% and a net margin of 7.26%.
Analysts remain divided on Tesla’s stock, with varying price targets:
- Benchmark initiated coverage with a “Buy” rating and a $475 target price.
- Mizuho maintains an “Outperform” rating with a $515 target.
- Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised its target from $295 to $370, rating Tesla a “Buy”.
- UBS Group raised its target from $226 to $259, maintaining a “Sell” rating.
- Phillip Securities downgraded Tesla from “Moderate Sell” to “Strong Sell”.
Currently, the stock holds an average rating of “Hold” with a consensus target price of $326.50.
Tesla’s Expanding Business Portfolio
Beyond EVs, Tesla operates in two key segments:
- Automotive – Manufacturing and selling electric vehicles, offering regulatory credits, used vehicles, vehicle insurance, and supercharging services.
- Energy Generation & Storage – Providing energy solutions through solar panels, battery storage, and grid services.
With a growing market presence in the U.S., China, and globally, Tesla continues to be a key player in the sustainable energy and automotive industry.
As investor interest remains high and the company continues to innovate, Tesla’s stock is set to be closely watched in the coming months.
