You might be wondering what impact Tesla’s stock split could have on its day-to-day operations, balance sheet, or operating income statement. While he might be considered a visionary by many, he’s also become a major liability. Putting aside the circus that’s accompanied his prospective takeover of social media stock Twitter, Musk has a terrible habit of failing to deliver on his promises.
Based on Tesla’s closing price of $919.69 on August 16, a 3-for-1 stock split would reduce its share price to around $306.56 a share. Perhaps the most pertinent piece of data for investors to know is when, exactly, Tesla’s stock split will take place. The answer is exactly one week from today, on August 25, 2022 prior to the market open. Investors received two additional shares for each share they held prior to the split. Each of the three shares will be valued at a third of the original price, leaving the total value of a shareholder’s stock unchanged.
Last year’s meeting took place in October, so we are probably a few more months away from a final decision. On the other hand, investors with little appetite for risk or volatility can safely steer clear of the stock, and it certainly wouldn’t be advisable to buy shares simply because of the upcoming split. EVs are an exciting, fast-growing market, but there could be some twists and turns ahead that prompt the market to reassess Tesla’s highly growth-dependent valuation. Demand for Tesla’s vehicles has been strong, and it’s posting margins that are fantastic for its industry. Tesla’s operating margin leads the pack among major automakers, and the company is poised to expand in high-margin categories including battery technology and self-driving software licensing. That supports the idea that Tesla should trade at significantly higher price-to-sales and price-to-earnings multiples than the auto industry stalwarts.
MORE: Elon Musk says Tesla is raising price of ‘Full Self-Driving’ software to $15,000
In particular, lockdowns in various parts of China have curtailed production at Tesla’s Shanghai gigafactory. There’s no question that retail investors, who’ve played a big role in pushing Tesla’s valuation to nearly $1 trillion, are the biggest winners of the company’s pending stock split. Keep in mind that it can sometimes take stock quote providers and online brokerages a few hours to a full day to recognize that a stock split has taken place. Stock splits usually trigger a rise in the price of shares, according toa Nasdaq study that examined stock splits at large companies between 2012 and 2018. Even the mere announcement of a stock split yielded an average 2.5% price increase for a stock, the Nasdaq found; and a year after a stock split, shares saw an average price hike of nearly 5%.
With Tesla’s stock split rapidly approaching, here are five things investors should know. It isn’t uncommon for a company’s stock price to explode after a stock split. However, you can’t guarantee that Tesla’s stock will shoot up after the stock split.
- There are more important factors to consider if you want a chance to profit from any stock you buy.
- With the vast majority of auto stocks valued at a single-digit forward-year price-to-earnings (P/E) multiple, Tesla stands out like a sore thumb with its forward P/E ratio of 56.
- As I’ve previously highlighted, Musk’s promises to put 1 million robotaxis on the road, deliver higher-level full self-driving, and bring the Cybertruck and Tesla Semi into production, have all been pushed back one or more years.
- If you have an above-average tolerance for risk, and think that the company will go on to deliver more strong performances with its electric vehicles, battery technologies, and autonomous vehicle software, it could be a worthwhile long-term investment.
- The preliminary tally indicates that seven of them were rejected, as recommended by management.
Tesla is currently valued at roughly 4.4 times the combined market capitalizations of General Motors, Ford, and Volkswagen. Tesla has been posting sales and earnings growth that dramatically exceeds that of its main industry rivals, but on the top and bottom lines, it still trails significantly behind each of these companies. For instance, Musk’s possible acquisition of social media platform Twitter represents the latest in a long history of questionable decision-making by a CEO who should be focused on the world’s most valuable auto brand.
As I’ve previously highlighted, Musk’s promises to put 1 million robotaxis on the road, deliver higher-level full self-driving, and bring the Cybertruck and Tesla Semi into production, have all been pushed back one or more years. The company last month reported mixed second quarter earnings, which showed a decline in profit of nearly one-third from the previous three-month period in part due to production slowdowns at a factory in Shanghai amid COVID lockdowns. A regulatory filing made by Tesla (TSLA -2.32%) at the end of March revealed that the electric vehicle (EV) leader plans to carry out another stock split.
Why Tesla Wanted a Stock Split
The company is just slicing every share in your portfolio into smaller pieces. Investors received four additional shares for every one share held in their portfolio. From the time of the stock split announcement on Aug. 11 to the 5-for-1 stock split on Aug. 31, Tesla’s stock https://www.dowjonesanalysis.com/ price soared 80%. Although those returns were impressive, that doesn’t necessarily mean the next potential stock split will yield the same results. Lastly, Tesla’s shareholders and prospective investors should understand that stock split-mania is a short-term event.
For example, auto stocks are traditionally valued at a single-digit or very low double-digit forward-year price-to-earnings ratio. As for Tesla, investors are having to pay an aggressive multiple of 58 times Wall Street’s forecast earnings for 2023. Even with Tesla being somewhat diversified, this is a lofty multiple for a company that predominantly makes a commoditized product. It’s worth noting that Tesla’s retail investor following is quite vocal on social media message boards, and the company’s CEO, Elon Musk, knows it. Nominally reducing Tesla’s share price is an easy way to keep these everyday investors engaged.
Stock splits have been known to create excitement among investors, but they may not be worth all the hype. When a company announces a stock split, all shareholders on the books before the cutoff date will receive more shares of the company’s stock. Although this may sound like a win for investors, it’s only a cosmetic change.
Here’s the 411 on the world’s most valuable automaker following its recent stock split.
However, just how much of a premium it deserves is the question that investors will have to weigh. Shareholders voted to approve the 3-for-1 Tesla stock split at https://www.topforexnews.org/ the company’s annual meeting on Aug. 4 in Austin, Texas. This is the lowest short float percentage dating back to when Tesla became a public company in 2010.
Last month, Tesla announced plans for a potential stock split, and the company’s share price shot up. Tesla shares were up about 1.8% Wednesday morning in anticipation, even though the stock split won’t change anything fundamental about the company’s stock. Out of the more than 200 stock splits announced and enacted through the first eight months of the year, arguably none has been more anticipated than that of electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer Tesla (TSLA -2.32%).
A stock split will make Tesla’s four-figure stock price more affordable for the average investor. After the stock split, all investors can https://www.investorynews.com/ buy a whole share of Tesla for a cheaper price. Nothing is set in stone until shareholders vote at the upcoming shareholder meeting.
Tesla’s common stock plunged from its record high in November 2021 and fell to a low in June of this year, when it began to stage a strong advance, approaching $1 trillion in market value. While a stock split theoretically should not alter the valuation of all shares outstanding, lowering the price per share may attract more potential buyers, boosting the stock’s aggregate valuation somewhat. Despite this turmoil, investors have a natural tendency to seek out Wall Street’s silver lining. Since the beginning of the year, dozens of companies have announced and/or enacted stock splits. If the company pursues a 5-for-1 stock split again, you’ll have 10 shares valued at $200 each if the stock price remains the same.
Tesla’s annual meeting also had votes on eight proposals submitted by shareholders. The preliminary tally indicates that seven of them were rejected, as recommended by management. However, the preliminary results indicate that Proposal Six on the agenda, to increase shareholders’ ability to nominate competing candidates for board seats, passed. For current and prospective Tesla shareholders, here’s everything you need to know about the company’s upcoming split. The second important tidbit of information Tesla’s current and prospective investors should know is the magnitude of the forward stock split.
With legacy automakers spending tens of billions on EV research and product development, it’s probably going to take more than short-term stock-split euphoria to hold shares at such a premium valuation. To add, stock splits have no effect on a company’s income statement or balance sheet, either. Tesla’s cash position, net income, and fundamental metrics, such as price-to-earnings ratio, are the same with its share price below $300 as they were when its stock traded near $900. Tesla’s share price and the number of shares it ultimately has outstanding have absolutely no impact on the company’s ability to produce and sell EVs or innovate. Although Tesla share price has been on fire for more than a decade, there are a number of red flags that suggest this amazing run-up isn’t sustainable.