All eyes will be on Tesla stock after today’s close. Wall Street analysts are on average expecting the electric car maker to post $1.61 billion in sales during the quarter. This would show an 8% decrease from the Q415 revenue of $1.75 billion, as well as an increase of 99.83% from the same period in Q115. EPS in Q116 are expected to come in at a loss of $0.61, a decline rate of 41% from ($0.36) per share a year earlier. Meanwhile, EarningsWhisper.com reports a whisper number of ($0.67) per share.
As a quick reminder, Tesla Motors, Inc. (TSLA) reported fourth-quarter 2015 EPS of ($0.87), $0.08 better than the Street’s consensus estimate. Revenue increased 82.86% YoY to $1.75 billion versus the $1.79 billion consensus.
One of the key metrics in Q1 that Tesla investors will keep an eye on is vehicle deliveries. Last month, the Palo Alto, California.- based company reported disappointing first-quarter deliveries — Tesla’s proxy for sales — which were 1,180 lower than expected. Tesla blamed the miss on a parts shortage that hit Model X deliveries and sales of Model S not keeping pace with the Q415. Tesla says however, it’s on track to deliver 80,000 to 90,000 Model X vehicles this year. Also in focus in Q1 will be an update on Model 3 reservations, the co.’s mass-market electric sedan.
With the stock’s price/earnings ratio at nearly 67x on a forward 12-month basis, suggesting a new investor is paying a lot for great revenue growth but paltry earnings, Tesla’s execution in vehicle deliveries remains critical.
TSLA stock was last trading at $230.31, down 0.87% from Tuesday and well off its $286.65 July 20, 2015 high. Shares are up 2.78% YoY, and down 3.2% since Jan. 1.
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