Tesla, Inc. $TSLA Shares Sold by Howard Capital Management Inc.

Key Points

• Howard Capital Management trimmed its Tesla stake by 3.2% in Q4, selling 3,438 shares and now holding 104,470 shares valued at about $46.98 million (0.5% of its portfolio, the firm’s 27th largest holding).
• Notable insider selling: Director Kathleen Wilson‑Thompson sold 25,809 shares (~$9.27M) and CFO Vaibhav Taneja sold 2,264 shares, with insiders offloading 53,804 shares (~$20.9M) in the past 90 days while owning 19.9% of the company.
• Near‑term outlook is mixed — a Dutch regulatory approval and strong Germany registrations plus ARK buying contrast with a Q1 delivery miss, China retail weakness and rising analyst skepticism; consensus rating is Hold with an average target of $400.01 and an earnings catalyst on April 22.

Howard Capital Management Inc. lowered its holdings in Tesla, Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA - Free Report) by 3.2% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 104,470 shares of the electric vehicle producer's stock after selling 3,438 shares during the period. Tesla makes up 0.5% of Howard Capital Management Inc.'s holdings, making the stock its 27th biggest holding. Howard Capital Management Inc.'s holdings in Tesla were worth $46,982,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in TSLA. Networth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Tesla in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Chapman Financial Group LLC purchased a new position in Tesla in the second quarter worth approximately $26,000. Manning & Napier Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Tesla in the third quarter worth approximately $29,000. Turning Point Benefit Group Inc. purchased a new position in Tesla in the third quarter worth approximately $30,000. Finally, First Community Trust NA purchased a new position in Tesla in the fourth quarter worth approximately $31,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 66.20% of the company's stock.

Key Stories Impacting Tesla

Here are the key news stories impacting Tesla this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Dutch regulators approved Tesla’s driver‑assistance system for supervised use on highways and city streets in the Netherlands — a first regulatory sign‑off in Europe that supports Tesla’s autonomy narrative and EU expansion plans. Tesla's self-driving software gets Dutch go-ahead
• Positive Sentiment: Germany registrations surged ~315% year‑over‑year in March (record 9,252 units), signaling demand recovery in Europe’s largest auto market that could help offset other regional weakness. What Drove Tesla Germany's 315% Y/Y Surge in March Registrations?
• Positive Sentiment: Large institutional buying from ARK Invest / Cathie Wood continues during the pullback, providing a retail/institutional demand floor that can reduce downside volatility. Cathie Wood Doubles Down on Tesla
• Neutral Sentiment: Tesla is reportedly developing a smaller, lower‑cost compact SUV — a potential volume driver over time but one that may pressure margins if executed. Investors view this as a strategic shift that could help long‑term growth but adds execution risk. Tesla's lower-cost EV plan seen boosting volume, risking margins
• Neutral Sentiment: Upcoming Q1 earnings (April 22) are the next major catalyst — results and management commentary on deliveries, margins, energy, and autonomy progress will likely drive near‑term moves. Tesla Earnings Preview
• Neutral Sentiment: Retail investors are buying the dip according to some data vendors — this can create short-lived support but may not offset institutional selling if fundamentals disappoint. Vanda Research Says Retail Investors are Buying the Tesla Stock Dip
• Negative Sentiment: Tesla missed Q1 delivery and production expectations (deliveries ~358K vs. est. ~365.6K; production also below forecasts), creating inventory/backlog concerns that are pressuring sentiment. Tesla stock slips as delivery miss and risks weigh on sentiment
• Negative Sentiment: China retail sales declined (~16% in Q1) despite wholesale increases, highlighting regional demand divergence and a potential headwind to global volumes. Tesla's China Retail Sales Decline 16% In Q1
• Negative Sentiment: Analyst skepticism is rising — JPMorgan reiterated a Sell and other firms (including GLJ Research) have flagged dramatic downside; mixed analyst views increase volatility and can amplify downward moves. JPMorgan Reiterates Sell Rating for Tesla
• Negative Sentiment: Technical damage (recent “death cross,” multi‑week losing streak) and rising competition in autonomy/robotaxi space are eroding momentum; absent strong earnings or autonomy progress, further downside is possible. Tesla’s ‘Death Cross’ Flashed Again

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

TSLA has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Glj Research reiterated a "sell" rating on shares of Tesla in a research note on Monday, March 30th. The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a "neutral" rating on shares of Tesla in a research note on Friday, April 3rd. UBS Group lifted their price target on shares of Tesla from $307.00 to $352.00 and gave the stock a "sell" rating in a research note on Thursday, January 29th. Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated a "buy" rating on shares of Tesla in a research note on Thursday, March 26th. Finally, Phillip Securities decreased their price target on shares of Tesla from $220.00 to $215.00 and set a "sell" rating for the company in a research note on Monday, February 2nd. Nineteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Hold rating and ten have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Tesla currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $400.01.

Insider Activity at Tesla

In other news, Director Kathleen Wilson-Thompson sold 25,809 shares of Tesla stock in a transaction on Monday, March 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $359.33, for a total value of $9,273,947.97. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 33,860 shares of the company's stock, valued at $12,166,913.80. The trade was a 43.25% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, CFO Vaibhav Taneja sold 2,264 shares of Tesla stock in a transaction on Friday, March 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $397.03, for a total transaction of $898,875.92. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer directly owned 18,106 shares in the company, valued at $7,188,625.18. The trade was a 11.11% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold a total of 53,804 shares of company stock valued at $20,865,598 in the last 90 days. Insiders own 19.90% of the company's stock.

Tesla Stock Up 0.9%

Shares of NASDAQ:TSLA opened at $348.79 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $1.31 trillion, a PE ratio of 322.95, a P/E/G ratio of 10.54 and a beta of 1.91. The company has a current ratio of 2.16, a quick ratio of 1.77 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08. Tesla, Inc. has a twelve month low of $222.79 and a twelve month high of $498.83. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $392.91 and a 200-day simple moving average of $424.81.

Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 28th. The electric vehicle producer reported $0.50 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.45 by $0.05. The business had revenue of $24.90 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $24.75 billion. Tesla had a net margin of 4.00% and a return on equity of 4.86%. The company's revenue was down 3.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $0.73 EPS. On average, equities analysts predict that Tesla, Inc. will post 2.56 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Tesla Profile

Tesla, Inc NASDAQ: TSLA is an American company that designs, manufactures and sells electric vehicles, energy generation and energy storage products. Founded in 2003 by Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning, Tesla grew into a vertically integrated mobility and clean‑energy company with Elon Musk serving as its chief executive officer. The company's stated mission is to accelerate the world's transition to sustainable energy, reflected in its combined focus on electric drivetrains, battery technology, renewable energy products and software.

Tesla's automotive business includes a lineup of battery‑electric vehicles and related services.

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