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Tesla is set to announce its second-quarter earnings on Tuesday after market close, following a mixed vehicle deliveries report on July 2. While deliveries exceeded analysts’ expectations, they still marked a decline from the previous year. This earnings call is anticipated to shed light on Tesla’s strategies for regaining growth, especially after reporting its largest revenue drop since 2012 in the first quarter.
Key areas of focus for institutional investors include Tesla’s automotive gross margins and operating expenses, which have been impacted by recent layoffs and price cuts aimed at boosting electric vehicle sales. According to LSEG, analysts project that Tesla will report adjusted earnings of 62 cents per share on revenues of $24.77 billion for the quarter ending June 30.
Retail investors, who submitted questions via the Say Technologies platform, are particularly interested in updates regarding Tesla’s long-delayed CyberCab, a dedicated robotaxi, and the company’s advancements in self-driving technology. Additional topics of interest include Tesla’s near-term priorities, the expansion of its battery energy storage business, and the status of the promised factory in Monterrey, Mexico.
Elon Musk’s recent political statements and endorsements have also sparked questions among shareholders. With Musk becoming a significant donor to the Republican Party, investors are concerned about how this aligns with Tesla’s mission to combat climate change. Notably, former President Donald Trump has suggested eliminating federal incentives for electric vehicles, raising questions about potential impacts on Tesla’s business.
Furthermore, the drop in Tesla registrations in California, a crucial market for the company, has fueled concerns about the potential brand impact of Musk’s polarizing comments. According to the California New Car Dealers Association, Tesla’s registrations in the state fell to 52,211 vehicles in the second quarter.
Investors are also keen on updates about Tesla’s humanoid robotics project, particularly the Optimus robot, which Musk has claimed could significantly boost the company’s market value. During a recent social media post, Musk stated that the Optimus robots would be “genuinely useful” and in “low production” for internal use by next year, with potential high-volume production and availability to other companies by 2026.
This follows Musk’s previous statements that the robots would enter limited production by the end of this year, performing tasks in Tesla’s factories. Despite being a latecomer to the field, Tesla faces competition from established players like Boston Dynamics and newer companies focusing on advanced robotic manipulation.
Musk has a history of ambitious promises, such as the long-awaited next-generation Roadster and fully autonomous vehicles, which have yet to materialize. As such, investors will be looking for concrete timelines and realistic expectations during Tuesday’s earnings call, especially concerning Tesla’s self-driving technology and the long-promised robotaxi fleet.