Tesla, Inc. (NASDAQ: TSLA) continues to attract institutional investors, with Puff Wealth Management LLC recently acquiring a new stake in the electric vehicle giant. According to its latest SEC Form 13F filing, the firm purchased 716 shares valued at approximately $289,000 during the fourth quarter.
Institutional Investors Strengthen Their Positions in Tesla
Other institutional investors have also increased their Tesla holdings. Hengehold Capital Management LLC raised its stake by 1.8%, now holding 1,347 shares worth $544,000 after acquiring 24 additional shares. Similarly, Strategic Investment Advisors MI grew its Tesla position by 0.3%, now owning 6,990 shares valued at $2.82 million.
Acropolis Investment Management LLC expanded its stake by 0.9%, acquiring 25 more shares to bring its total to 2,814 shares valued at $1.13 million. Mount Vernon Associates Inc. MD and Prospect Financial Services LLC also marginally increased their holdings, demonstrating confidence in Tesla’s growth potential. As of now, institutional investors collectively own 66.20% of Tesla’s stock.
Analyst Ratings and Market Sentiment
Tesla has been the subject of various analyst ratings. GLJ Research maintained a “sell” rating with a price target of $24.86. In contrast, Roth Capital upgraded Tesla to a “strong-buy” rating. Other analysts, such as those from Cantor Fitzgerald and Deutsche Bank, have set target prices ranging from $365 to $400 per share.
A consensus compiled by MarketBeat.com indicates a mixed sentiment, with nine analysts rating the stock as a sell, twelve maintaining a hold, and seventeen issuing a buy recommendation. The average price target stands at $326.50.
Tesla Stock Performance and Financial Overview
Tesla’s stock opened at $354.11 on Wednesday, trading down 0.5%. Over the past year, the stock has fluctuated between a low of $138.80 and a high of $488.54. With a market cap of $1.14 trillion and a PE ratio of 173.58, Tesla continues to be a high-growth, high-volatility stock.
The company’s latest earnings report showed revenue growth but missed earnings expectations, reporting an EPS of $0.66 versus the estimated $0.74. Tesla posted a net margin of 7.26% and a return on equity of 10.31%. Analysts predict Tesla will post an EPS of 2.54 for the current fiscal year.
Insider Transactions: Kimbal Musk and CFO Vaibhav Taneja Sell Shares
Tesla insiders have also been active in the market. Director Kimbal Musk sold 75,000 shares at an average price of $367.87, totaling approximately $27.59 million. Following the sale, Musk now holds 1,463,220 shares, reflecting a 4.88% decrease in ownership.
CFO Vaibhav Taneja also offloaded 7,000 shares at an average price of $354.43, amounting to $2.48 million. His remaining stake consists of 105,032 shares valued at $37.23 million, representing a 6.25% decrease in ownership. Over the past ninety days, insiders have collectively sold 523,386 shares worth $195.99 million. Currently, company insiders hold 20.70% of Tesla’s stock.
Final Thoughts
Tesla remains one of the most closely watched stocks, with institutional investors steadily increasing their stakes despite mixed analyst ratings. As the company navigates market challenges and increasing competition in the EV space, its stock performance and insider transactions continue to capture significant attention from investors worldwide.
Stay tuned for more updates on Tesla and market trends shaping the future of the electric vehicle industry.
