TLDR
- Tesla stock dropped 2.6% to $398.38 despite receiving regulatory approval for paid robotaxi service in Arizona on November 17
- Third quarter revenue hit record $28.1 billion with 497,000 vehicle deliveries, but net income fell 37% to $1.4 billion
- Operating margin compressed to 6% from 11% a year ago as lower vehicle prices and heavy AI spending weighed on profits
- Arizona TNC permit allows Tesla to launch ride-hailing with safety drivers, but fully driverless operations remain unauthorized
- Stock trades at 179 forward P/E ratio with support at $380-390 and resistance at $430-450
Tesla secured a Transportation Network Company permit in Arizona on November 17, clearing the way for paid ride-hailing service in the state. The stock fell 2.6% anyway, closing at $398.38.
The permit follows an application filed just four days earlier on November 13. Arizona becomes the second major market for Tesla’s robotaxi ambitions after Texas.
There’s a catch though. The permit doesn’t authorize fully driverless operations. Safety drivers must remain in vehicles under current regulations.
Arizona represents a key battleground for autonomous vehicle development. The Phoenix metro area already hosts Waymo’s 315-square-mile driverless service. Tesla’s entry sets up direct competition in one of the nation’s most autonomy-friendly markets.
The company completed self-certification for both driver-assisted and driverless testing in September. Initial discussions with the Arizona Department of Transportation began back in June.
Third quarter results show why investors remain cautious despite regulatory wins. Revenue climbed 12% year over year to $28.1 billion. Vehicle deliveries hit a record 497,000 units, up 7% from last year.
But profitability tells a different story. Net income dropped 37% to $1.4 billion. Operating income fell 40%. Operating margin compressed to roughly 6% compared with 11% in the prior-year period.
Earnings per share declined for the fourth consecutive quarter. Lower vehicle prices and incentives combined with higher AI spending squeezed margins across the board.
Revenue Growth Masks Earnings Pressure
The third quarter delivery surge came partly from U.S. buyers rushing to use a $7,500 federal EV tax credit before expiration. That artificial demand pull-forward may leave a gap in current quarter results.
Capital expenditures and operating expenses continue rising as Tesla pours money into AI chips and data centers. These investments support the company’s Full Self-Driving software development but show up as costs rather than profits today.
CEO Elon Musk told analysts the company expects to operate robotaxis in eight to ten metro areas by year-end. That timeline depends on various regulatory approvals.
Valuation Remains Stretched
Even after recent declines, Tesla trades at about 15 times revenue. The forward price-to-earnings ratio sits at 179. The trailing P/E stands around 286.
Technical support holds in the $380-390 range on the daily chart. The 50-day moving average trends higher near $355-360. Resistance appears in the $430-450 zone with the 52-week high at $488.54.
The stock remains 12% above its 50-day average and nearly 20% above the 200-day. The RSI hovers around 62, below overbought territory but indicating some caution.
Stifel raised its price target to $508 from $483, maintaining a Buy rating. The firm cited accelerated progress in Full Self-Driving and robotaxi development.
Arizona joins Texas as Tesla expands its autonomous ride-hailing network. While drivers remain required for now, the state’s approval provides critical infrastructure for eventual driverless operations in a market that’s already proven friendly to autonomous vehicle testing.
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