Why Tesla slipped Thursday

Elon utters the "F" word.

| More on:
tesla

Image source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

What happened

Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) CEO Elon Musk is famous -- or notorious, depending on your point of view -- for his pronouncements. The electric vehicle (EV) maker's stock price can gyrate up or down depending on what Musk expresses on a particular day. Sure enough, the boss' comment about an upcoming product made for lively trading Thursday with the shares, the price of which ended the day marginally lower.

So what

The subject was the futuristic Cybertruck, Tesla's version of a pickup. In an exchange on Twitter, Musk wrote the following: "To be frank, there is always some chance that Cybertruck will flop, because it is so unlike anything else. I don't care. I love it so much even if others don't." Musk was only repeating the "F" word. His tweet was a reaction to a story published Thursday on niche website The Truth About Cars with the incendiary headline "Opinion: Tesla's Cybertruck Will Be Company's First Flop." In the story, writer Tim Healey took aim at the EV's looks, and opined that rival pickups -- including the high-profile Ford (NYSE: F) F-150 Lightning -- will likely be "more usable as trucks."

Now what

CEOs aren't supposed to admit that their products could be duds. But Musk has a high profile and a following largely because he isn't a CEO in the traditional mold. While some people undoubtedly turned bearish on his pronouncement about the Cybertruck, plenty of investors clearly still believe in the company's mission -- and in the actions of its colorful leader.

This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

Eric Volkman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of and has recommended Tesla and Twitter. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

More on International Stock News

A man looking at his laptop and thinking.
International Stock News

Why Alphabet stock was sliding today

Let's take a look.

Read more »

A man looking at his laptop and thinking.
International Stock News

Nvidia's stock was down despite its amazing earnings. Here's what history says is coming next

Although it might seem to defy logic, it's not an uncommon phenomenon.

Read more »

A woman holds a soldering tool as she sits in front of a computer screen while working on the manufacturing of technology equipment in a laboratory environment.
International Stock News

Nvidia share price slips despite 94% revenue growth

Q3 earnings beat expectations, but what about guidance?

Read more »

high, climbing, record high
International Stock News

Could the S&P 500 Index hit 6,500 by the end of 2025?

Could the index climb higher?

Read more »

a small child holds his chin with his head on the side in a serious thinking pose against a background of graphic question marks and a yellow lightbulb.
International Stock News

Is it too late to buy Nvidia shares?

Is Nvidia stock a buy ahead of its third-quarter earnings report tomorrow?

Read more »

a group of people stand examining a large glowing cystral ball held in the hands of one of the group members while the others regard it with various expressions of wonder, curiousity and scepticism.
International Stock News

Here's what to expect from Nvidia on November 20

Can Nvidia score another win?

Read more »

Two people lazing in deck chairs on a beautiful sandy beach through their hands up in the air.
International Stock News

2 no-brainer Warren Buffett stocks to buy right now

While replicating Buffett's success isn't possible, there are a handful of his investments that are no-brainer buys.

Read more »

A man with a beard and wearing dark sunglasses and a beanie head covering raises a fist in happy celebration as he sits at is computer in a home environment.
International Stock News

3 reasons to buy Nvidia stock before November 20

This week marks a big moment for tech investors as perhaps the most anticipated earnings of the year will be…

Read more »