Tesla Motors

A place to talk about speculative investing ideas for the optional Variable Portfolio

Moderator: Global Moderator

User avatar
dualstow
Executive Member
Executive Member
Posts: 14225
Joined: Wed Oct 27, 2010 10:18 am
Location: synagogue of Satan
Contact:

Tesla Motors

Post by dualstow » Fri Feb 15, 2013 11:27 am

I keep hearing about Testla Motors in the news.

From a Walmart thread:
1NV35T0R (Greg) wrote: That's around where I am. I've got about 4% of my portfolio in Tesla (TSLA) which probably isn't a good idea. But I'll consider one stock as my VP and see where that goes as I build my PP around it.
That was back in May '12. If you've held on, Greg, you must have done very well!
RIP Marcello Gandini
User avatar
Greg
Executive Member
Executive Member
Posts: 1126
Joined: Sun May 20, 2012 6:12 pm
Location: Maryland

Re: Tesla Motors

Post by Greg » Wed Feb 20, 2013 8:44 pm

I got to my own rebalancing band on them as part of my VP and sold off half of my portion. That being said, I'm up about 35% still since I originally was purchasing them start a bit more than a year ago when it was around $26 a share.

I still hold 40 shares of it for funzies.

Ultimately, I really like Elon Musk as a business-man, and I'm an idealist for moving towards electric cars so I want them to get bigger not just because I'd make more money but because I believe in their product.

Update: Perhaps I spoke too soon, after earnings went out yesterday the stock tanked. :( Boooo....
Last edited by Anonymous on Thu Feb 21, 2013 9:56 am, edited 1 time in total.
Background: Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, Control Systems, CAD Modeling, Machining, Wearable Exoskeletons, Applied Physiology, Drawing (Pencil/Charcoal), Drums, Guitar/Bass, Piano, Flute

"you are not disabled by your disabilities but rather, abled by your abilities." -Oscar Pistorius
User avatar
dualstow
Executive Member
Executive Member
Posts: 14225
Joined: Wed Oct 27, 2010 10:18 am
Location: synagogue of Satan
Contact:

Re: Tesla Motors

Post by dualstow » Mon Apr 01, 2013 3:50 pm

up 16% today. what do you say, Greg?
RIP Marcello Gandini
User avatar
Greg
Executive Member
Executive Member
Posts: 1126
Joined: Sun May 20, 2012 6:12 pm
Location: Maryland

Re: Tesla Motors

Post by Greg » Mon Apr 01, 2013 5:22 pm

dualstow wrote: up 16% today. what do you say, Greg?
:) I am a slightly richer man today (assuming it doesn't tank tomorrow)
Background: Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, Control Systems, CAD Modeling, Machining, Wearable Exoskeletons, Applied Physiology, Drawing (Pencil/Charcoal), Drums, Guitar/Bass, Piano, Flute

"you are not disabled by your disabilities but rather, abled by your abilities." -Oscar Pistorius
User avatar
smurff
Executive Member
Executive Member
Posts: 980
Joined: Mon Aug 16, 2010 2:17 am

Re: Tesla Motors

Post by smurff » Tue Apr 02, 2013 10:38 pm

Tesla Motors has a dealership office at The Westchester Mall in White Plains, NY.  I was in the mall last week shopping, and noticed it.  Ordinarily I don't care about cars, but after that trip I have a new car to drool over:

http://www.teslamotors.com/roadster
User avatar
Greg
Executive Member
Executive Member
Posts: 1126
Joined: Sun May 20, 2012 6:12 pm
Location: Maryland

Re: Tesla Motors

Post by Greg » Wed Apr 03, 2013 5:00 pm

I couldn't afford one of their cars now (other than wiping out all of my taxable accounts) but certainly for someday a dream to own a used one.
Background: Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, Control Systems, CAD Modeling, Machining, Wearable Exoskeletons, Applied Physiology, Drawing (Pencil/Charcoal), Drums, Guitar/Bass, Piano, Flute

"you are not disabled by your disabilities but rather, abled by your abilities." -Oscar Pistorius
Reub
Executive Member
Executive Member
Posts: 3158
Joined: Fri Jan 21, 2011 5:44 pm

Re: Tesla Motors

Post by Reub » Wed Apr 03, 2013 5:22 pm

They were selling a used one, a 2010 2-seater, at the Tesla showroom in the mall today. It was going for 84 G's.
User avatar
Greg
Executive Member
Executive Member
Posts: 1126
Joined: Sun May 20, 2012 6:12 pm
Location: Maryland

Re: Tesla Motors

Post by Greg » Thu Apr 04, 2013 9:22 am

Maybe once it gets down to 40Gs I'll start to look interested.
Background: Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, Control Systems, CAD Modeling, Machining, Wearable Exoskeletons, Applied Physiology, Drawing (Pencil/Charcoal), Drums, Guitar/Bass, Piano, Flute

"you are not disabled by your disabilities but rather, abled by your abilities." -Oscar Pistorius
User avatar
dualstow
Executive Member
Executive Member
Posts: 14225
Joined: Wed Oct 27, 2010 10:18 am
Location: synagogue of Satan
Contact:

Re: Tesla Motors

Post by dualstow » Mon Apr 22, 2013 8:40 am

I walked by a Model S the other day in the parking lot of a hotel. It wasn't that striking-- if the wife hadn't pointed it out, I wouldn't have noticed. But, when I read TESLA on the back, I got pretty excited and took a good look. Can I get a solar charger for one of these? ;-)
RIP Marcello Gandini
User avatar
melveyr
Executive Member
Executive Member
Posts: 971
Joined: Mon Jun 28, 2010 3:30 pm
Location: Seattle, WA
Contact:

Re: Tesla Motors

Post by melveyr » Mon Apr 22, 2013 12:53 pm

Tesla is highly levered and not profitable. Buying equity in that company is like buying an out of the money call option... Something to keep in mind
everything comes from somewhere and everything goes somewhere
User avatar
Greg
Executive Member
Executive Member
Posts: 1126
Joined: Sun May 20, 2012 6:12 pm
Location: Maryland

Re: Tesla Motors

Post by Greg » Mon Apr 29, 2013 5:41 pm

Sold my shares in Tesla today after the large increase lately. Might buy into it again if it drops. Otherwise I'm good.
Background: Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, Control Systems, CAD Modeling, Machining, Wearable Exoskeletons, Applied Physiology, Drawing (Pencil/Charcoal), Drums, Guitar/Bass, Piano, Flute

"you are not disabled by your disabilities but rather, abled by your abilities." -Oscar Pistorius
User avatar
dualstow
Executive Member
Executive Member
Posts: 14225
Joined: Wed Oct 27, 2010 10:18 am
Location: synagogue of Satan
Contact:

Re: Tesla Motors

Post by dualstow » Mon Apr 29, 2013 8:55 pm

1NV35T0R (Greg) wrote: Sold my shares in Tesla today after the large increase lately. Might buy into it again if it drops. Otherwise I'm good.
Smart!
RIP Marcello Gandini
User avatar
Ad Orientem
Executive Member
Executive Member
Posts: 3483
Joined: Sun Aug 14, 2011 2:47 pm
Location: Florida USA
Contact:

Re: Tesla Motors

Post by Ad Orientem » Mon Apr 29, 2013 9:02 pm

1NV35T0R (Greg) wrote: Sold my shares in Tesla today after the large increase lately. Might buy into it again if it drops. Otherwise I'm good.
No one ever lost money taking a profit. A lot of people have lost money when forgetting that.
Trumpism is not a philosophy or a movement. It's a cult.
User avatar
Greg
Executive Member
Executive Member
Posts: 1126
Joined: Sun May 20, 2012 6:12 pm
Location: Maryland

Re: Tesla Motors

Post by Greg » Mon Apr 29, 2013 9:49 pm

Ad Orientem wrote:
1NV35T0R (Greg) wrote: Sold my shares in Tesla today after the large increase lately. Might buy into it again if it drops. Otherwise I'm good.
No one ever lost money taking a profit. A lot of people have lost money when forgetting that.
Indeed. I'm happy with my performance with it. Held it around 16 months and had a little over 100% return during that time. If only I held it in a non-taxable account! ;)
Background: Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, Control Systems, CAD Modeling, Machining, Wearable Exoskeletons, Applied Physiology, Drawing (Pencil/Charcoal), Drums, Guitar/Bass, Piano, Flute

"you are not disabled by your disabilities but rather, abled by your abilities." -Oscar Pistorius
User avatar
dualstow
Executive Member
Executive Member
Posts: 14225
Joined: Wed Oct 27, 2010 10:18 am
Location: synagogue of Satan
Contact:

Re: Tesla Motors

Post by dualstow » Thu May 02, 2013 3:20 pm

"announcement tomorrow" says the official TSLA tweet.
RIP Marcello Gandini
User avatar
dualstow
Executive Member
Executive Member
Posts: 14225
Joined: Wed Oct 27, 2010 10:18 am
Location: synagogue of Satan
Contact:

Re: Tesla Motors

Post by dualstow » Thu May 09, 2013 8:12 am

TESLA is up 24% this morning.
The good news is that I bought in yesterday. The bad news is that I bought all of 15 shares as part of a long-term dollar-cost-avg-in. :-D
Oh well, it's going to be a wild ride anyway.
RIP Marcello Gandini
User avatar
Greg
Executive Member
Executive Member
Posts: 1126
Joined: Sun May 20, 2012 6:12 pm
Location: Maryland

Re: Tesla Motors

Post by Greg » Thu May 09, 2013 9:20 am

Looks like I chose a wrong time to sell back when I thought $54 was high hah :P hindsight...
Background: Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, Control Systems, CAD Modeling, Machining, Wearable Exoskeletons, Applied Physiology, Drawing (Pencil/Charcoal), Drums, Guitar/Bass, Piano, Flute

"you are not disabled by your disabilities but rather, abled by your abilities." -Oscar Pistorius
User avatar
dualstow
Executive Member
Executive Member
Posts: 14225
Joined: Wed Oct 27, 2010 10:18 am
Location: synagogue of Satan
Contact:

Re: Tesla Motors

Post by dualstow » Thu May 09, 2013 9:36 am

1NV35T0R (Greg) wrote: Looks like I chose a wrong time to sell back when I thought $54 was high hah :P hindsight...
Yah, but it could get cut in half tomorrow. I think you made a prudent move, Greg.
RIP Marcello Gandini
User avatar
melveyr
Executive Member
Executive Member
Posts: 971
Joined: Mon Jun 28, 2010 3:30 pm
Location: Seattle, WA
Contact:

Re: Tesla Motors

Post by melveyr » Thu May 09, 2013 10:56 am

I have a couple of friends who have been super bearish on the stock. Good thing they didn't short it! I have no idea how to value companies at this stage in their growth... Although perhaps the stock market doesn't know either  ;)
everything comes from somewhere and everything goes somewhere
User avatar
dualstow
Executive Member
Executive Member
Posts: 14225
Joined: Wed Oct 27, 2010 10:18 am
Location: synagogue of Satan
Contact:

Re: Tesla Motors

Post by dualstow » Fri May 10, 2013 7:18 am

BTW, Greg, I sold my Boeing shares at a small loss when I heard about the 787's battery problems. Would have had a nice profit if I'd held on a few weeks. You never know.
RIP Marcello Gandini
User avatar
Greg
Executive Member
Executive Member
Posts: 1126
Joined: Sun May 20, 2012 6:12 pm
Location: Maryland

Re: Tesla Motors

Post by Greg » Fri May 10, 2013 9:23 am

Still though, what the hell is Tesla doing? haha. This looks like Irrational Exuberence. They only posted 12 cents a share, for a P/E of around 670. I sold at the wrong time apparently but there is no way I would buy back in now. I was trying to sell all of my stuff now and wait for it to crash for me to buy back into it again. I might have to wait longer than expected now though hah.
Background: Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, Control Systems, CAD Modeling, Machining, Wearable Exoskeletons, Applied Physiology, Drawing (Pencil/Charcoal), Drums, Guitar/Bass, Piano, Flute

"you are not disabled by your disabilities but rather, abled by your abilities." -Oscar Pistorius
User avatar
dualstow
Executive Member
Executive Member
Posts: 14225
Joined: Wed Oct 27, 2010 10:18 am
Location: synagogue of Satan
Contact:

Re: Tesla Motors

Post by dualstow » Fri May 10, 2013 10:12 am

Like melvey, I have no idea how to evaluate companies like this, companies with (usually) negative earnings. And to paraphrase Vernor Vinge, my brain is like a cricket flitting around in the cathedral of melvey's mind. So I don't even try. Common sense says it has to come back down.

The great thing about indexing is that I can buy a lot of stocks with confidence. If stocks go down, I've got treasuries to hedge my bets and one day I can buy low, again with confidence.
RIP Marcello Gandini
User avatar
melveyr
Executive Member
Executive Member
Posts: 971
Joined: Mon Jun 28, 2010 3:30 pm
Location: Seattle, WA
Contact:

Re: Tesla Motors

Post by melveyr » Fri May 10, 2013 11:24 am

At this point TSLA might just be undergoing a REALLY fat short squeeze. Can you imagine being short TSLA? I would have nightmares about the stock becoming a microcosm of the tech bubble all over again. If this is true, a lot of shorts still have to cover (40% of the float!) so it could still skyrocket much higher for reasons entirely unrelated to underlying business fundamentals. This one of those rare moments where the higher the price goes the more attractive it gets to the longs because it makes it more likely that the shorts will capitulate and cover. You can throw out the textbooks as far as any concept of an equilibrium with this kind of setup.
Last edited by melveyr on Fri May 10, 2013 11:26 am, edited 1 time in total.
everything comes from somewhere and everything goes somewhere
User avatar
Greg
Executive Member
Executive Member
Posts: 1126
Joined: Sun May 20, 2012 6:12 pm
Location: Maryland

Re: Tesla Motors

Post by Greg » Fri May 10, 2013 7:47 pm

melveyr wrote: At this point TSLA might just be undergoing a REALLY fat short squeeze. Can you imagine being short TSLA? I would have nightmares about the stock becoming a microcosm of the tech bubble all over again. If this is true, a lot of shorts still have to cover (40% of the float!) so it could still skyrocket much higher for reasons entirely unrelated to underlying business fundamentals. This one of those rare moments where the higher the price goes the more attractive it gets to the longs because it makes it more likely that the shorts will capitulate and cover. You can throw out the textbooks as far as any concept of an equilibrium with this kind of setup.
This is the kind of stuff where I feel like I should take some of the cash that I just took out from selling and buy some more stock again. But as soon as I do that we reach the top.
Background: Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, Control Systems, CAD Modeling, Machining, Wearable Exoskeletons, Applied Physiology, Drawing (Pencil/Charcoal), Drums, Guitar/Bass, Piano, Flute

"you are not disabled by your disabilities but rather, abled by your abilities." -Oscar Pistorius
User avatar
Greg
Executive Member
Executive Member
Posts: 1126
Joined: Sun May 20, 2012 6:12 pm
Location: Maryland

Re: Tesla Motors

Post by Greg » Mon May 13, 2013 9:20 pm

dualstow wrote: TESLA is up 24% this morning.
The good news is that I bought in yesterday. The bad news is that I bought all of 15 shares as part of a long-term dollar-cost-avg-in. :-D
Oh well, it's going to be a wild ride anyway.
Any idea when you'd sell dualstow? You've been having a great run up lately. In the past week you've made as much as I did in a year hah.
Background: Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, Control Systems, CAD Modeling, Machining, Wearable Exoskeletons, Applied Physiology, Drawing (Pencil/Charcoal), Drums, Guitar/Bass, Piano, Flute

"you are not disabled by your disabilities but rather, abled by your abilities." -Oscar Pistorius
Post Reply