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Episode Description
Generated finance podcast with host Dusty based on prompt: Daily stock movements for Tesla. Focus on the stock, but provide any important background information that is necessary.
Episode Transcript
Welcome to "Tesla Stock Daily Drive," the podcast where we navigate the fast lane of financial markets with a focus on Tesla's latest performances. I'm Dusty, your guide on this journey.
Let's dive right into the latest figures. As of Friday, May 17, 2025, Tesla shares closed at $349.98, marking a gain of over $7, or about 2.09%. Now, that might sound like just another day in the world of stocks, but it's actually the icing on the cake of a four-week run where Tesla's stock has surged by a remarkable 17%. Over the past month, the stock has climbed almost 45%, pushing Tesla's market cap to an impressive $1.12 trillion. It's safe to say, things have been electric, in every sense of the word.
Zooming out to the broader market, there's been a noticeable rally. Investors are feeling optimistic thanks to new trade agreements and easing tariffs. The temporary reduction between the U.S. and China, in particular, has played a significant role in boosting market sentiment. However, it's not all smooth driving. Tesla's been dealing with reports of declining sales and registrations in several markets, sparking the introduction of new discounts and incentives back in the States.
Speaking of those incentives, Tesla has expanded its $1,000 discount program to a wider group, covering students, teachers, first responders, retirees, and various other demographics. And for those who drive for Lyft, there's more on the table: $1,000 in Tesla Credits plus another $1,000 from Lyft upon completing 100 trips by mid-July. These moves are seen as attempts to stimulate demand amid U.S. market challenges.
But there's more under the hood. Recent protests dubbed "Tesla Takedown" highlight discontent over Elon Musk's political affiliations, suggesting potential brand damage. Despite these challenges, Tesla is steering towards the future, revealing more about its Robotaxi plans in Austin, its Optimus robot, and the Dojo supercomputer.
From the sleek dashboards of the Model 3 and Y to changes in Canada’s Supercharger map, Tesla's keeping busy. The social media buzz surrounding the Optimus robot video showcases mixed reactions. Some folks are all about its looks, while others question whether it's all just flash without the substance of real-world applications like object manipulation.
Now, placing all of this within the broader economic context, we've witnessed hopes bubbling around the U.S.-China trade situation. A suggestion of reducing tariffs to 30% from previous highs has markets positively charged. But hold on—there's a mixed bag here. April saw lower-than-expected Consumer and Producer Price Indexes, yet, a slowdown in retail sales and factory output has given us pause.
The University of Michigan consumer sentiment survey showed a dip, with inflation expectations climbing. Economists are forecasting a GDP growth slowdown in the first quarter of 2025, down starkly from previous numbers. This slowdown could be partly due to rising trade tensions, adding to the risks of a potential recession as uncertainty looms large.
Despite these looming shadows, inflation forecasts indicate a possible rise to +4% year-over-year by mid-2026, which may hold the Federal Reserve's hand steady on interest rates throughout this year. Within these swirling economic currents, investors would do well to keep a watchful eye and perhaps a diversified strategy.
As we close on today's market drive, remember: stay informed, stay curious. When the dust settles, only the truth remains. Until next time, I'm Dusty, cruising through the world of financial news with you. Keep your seatbelt fastened—it's bound to be an exciting ride.
Supporting Data
As of Friday, May 17, 2025, Tesla, Inc. (TSLA) shares closed at $349.98, marking a gain of $7.16 or 2.09%. The stock saw a day's range between $342.84 and $351.26. The trading volume for the day was 95,895,665 shares. This closing price contributed to a fourth consecutive week of gains for Tesla, with the stock surging 17% over the week. Over the past month, Tesla's stock has seen a significant jump of 44.89%, boosting its market capitalization to $1.12 trillion.
**Recent Market Movements and Company News**
The recent positive performance of Tesla's stock has occurred alongside a broader market rally, partly attributed to optimism regarding new trade agreements and easing tariffs, including a temporary tariff reduction between the U.S. and China. This comes despite some recent challenges for Tesla, including reports of declining sales and registrations in some markets.
In response to slowing sales and what some analysts term "brand damage," Tesla has been actively implementing new discounts and incentives in the U.S. This includes expanding its $1,000 discount program beyond military personnel to include students, teachers, first-responders, retirees, active-duty members, their spouses, and surviving spouses, applicable to Tesla's entire new vehicle lineup. Additionally, Tesla introduced an incentive for Lyft drivers, offering $1,000 in Tesla Credits upon vehicle delivery and a further $1,000 from Lyft after completing 100 trips by July 13, 2025. Some analysts view these significant incentives, typically seen at the end of a quarter, as an indication of demand issues, particularly in the U.S. The company's global sales had previously fallen short of expectations, which Tesla attributed to production changes for the Model Y.
There have also been reports of protests, dubbed "Tesla Takedown," continuing outside some dealerships, with participants citing Elon Musk's political involvement as a reason for their discontent and support for the brand's decline. Some analysts have noted that Musk's ties to the Trump administration have cast a shadow over the company and contributed to "unprecedented brand damage".
In other company news, Tesla revealed more information regarding its Robotaxi launch plans in Austin, Optimus robot production, and Dojo supercomputer. The company also began selling a charcoal suede dashboard upgrade for the new Model 3 and Model Y. Furthermore, Tesla provided a May 2025 update to its Supercharger map in Canada, adding new potential locations while removing others.
Social media reactions were mixed regarding a trending video from Tesla showcasing its Optimus humanoid robot, with some users impressed by its visual appeal and others questioning the focus on locomotion over more complex tasks like object manipulation.
**Broader Economic Context**
On the macroeconomic front, there was news regarding a potential pivot in the U.S.-China trade war, with the U.S. president suggesting a possible tariff rate on Chinese goods of 30%, down from previous highs, which positively impacted markets. However, other economic data presented a mixed picture. While April's Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Producer Price Index (PPI) data were relatively benign and lower than expected, retail sales growth slowed significantly in April. Factory output also declined for the first time in six months. Preliminary May results for the University of Michigan consumer sentiment survey showed a decline, with year-ahead inflation expectations climbing.
Looking at the broader U.S. economy, GDP growth is anticipated to have slowed significantly in the first quarter of 2025, with economists forecasting a growth rate of just 0.4%, a sharp decline from the previous quarter, partly due to rising trade tensions. There are expectations that the trade deficit may have significantly subtracted from GDP as businesses stockpiled goods. Some economists predict a sharper slowdown for the U.S. economy in 2025, with an average annual growth rate potentially lowering to +1.3%, and a return of recession risk due to uncertainty and tariff shocks. Inflationary pressures are also a concern, with some forecasts suggesting a rise in inflation up to +4.0% year-over-year in the second quarter of 2026, potentially leading the Federal Reserve to maintain its current target range for Fed Funds throughout 2025.
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