Tesla, Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA) shares plunged more than 12% on Tuesday after the company announced Q4 deliveries miss.
The company posted total Q4 deliveries of 405,278, compared to the Street estimate of 421,890. Model S/X deliveries were 17,147, compared to the Street estimate of 20,750, while Model 3/Y deliveries were 388,131, compared to the Street estimate of 414,000.
While the company pointed to changes in regional delivery patterns as impacting timing, analysts expect quarter-end discounts and shortening lead times coupled with light deliveries to support bearish views.
Investors will now look to automotive gross margins and operating margins to refresh views on profitability and longer-term price targets. With higher production volumes, there is a potential for better-than-feared margins and cash flow when full results are published later this month.