Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) revealed its earnings report for the first three months of 2013 today, Wednesday May 8, after the market closed. The electric vehicle manufacturer showed earnings of $0.12 per share for the period on revenues of $562 million. On today’s market shares in Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) trended up, finishing the day at $55.75.
Analysts following Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) were, by consensus, expecting the company to announce earnings of 3 cents per share for its first fiscal quarter. Revenue in the period was expected to come in at $493 million. Back in April, Tesla released a guidance revision that showed it was expecting to earn its first profit, around 5 cents per share for the first three months.
Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) is an exciting company, with an innovative plan for the future of American automobiles. Despite that, most investor interest in the company seems concentrated on what other investors are going to do with their shares. The firm has generated a huge amount of short sellers, as well as optimistic long buyers, driving its value skyward.
Since the start of 2013, when buzz began to build around the electric car company, shares in Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) have gained more than 65 percent. Trading in the post earnings period is likely to be volatile because of the amount of money on both sides of the Tesla Motors argument.
With this earnings report Tesla appears to have proved that it can be a sustainable auto maker in the luxury electric segment. Problems may begin to arise when competition arrives into the market, and Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) tries to expand into mass market electric cars. That move is one on which a great deal of the company’s current value seems to depend, but it’s still a big leap for the firm.
Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) has managed to attract a fan base with near Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) levels of commitment, and with its quality customer service it’s no surprise. As long as the company keeps those customers happy, and doesn’t have any safety mishaps, the rest of 2013 should go well for the firm.
As a high growth company, Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) is still a risky investment. Depending on the effects this earnings report has on shorts, the company could be in for a volatile year.
