Tesla: A Long-Term Bet (and My Anxiety Levels)

Right. Tesla. Everyone’s talking about it. Is it the future of transport? A tech marvel? Or just… expensive? I’ve been trying to work it out, and honestly, it’s exhausting. The numbers are… optimistic, shall we say. And my portfolio is starting to resemble a particularly chaotic spreadsheet.

Nvidia’s had a bit of a wobble, which is a good reminder that even the shiny new things can fall. It makes you wonder if we’re all just caught up in the hype. Tesla’s down too, year to date. About 6%, if my calculations are correct (and let’s be honest, they often aren’t). Which, logically, could be a buying opportunity. Except… logic and investing rarely seem to coexist peacefully.

They say it’s not just a car company anymore. Elon Musk keeps saying that, anyway. He’s very keen on the “AI” angle. Apparently, Tesla is a leader in “real-world AI.” It sounds… grand. I’ve been trying to visualize this leadership. Is it wearing a crown? Leading a parade of self-driving cars? It’s all very abstract.

The big plan is Robotaxi. A fleet of autonomous vehicles, whisking us around without human intervention. It’s… ambitious. They reckon every Tesla, all 1.6 million of them (and growing), will eventually be able to drive itself. Just needs a software update. A software update! Like changing the batteries in the remote. It’s either genius or terrifyingly simplistic. Possibly both.

Units of Hope Invested: 1. Hours Spent Researching Autonomous Vehicle Regulations: 6. Number of Times I’ve Considered Just Buying a Bicycle: 18.

But here’s the thing. The stock price. It’s… well, it’s a lot. A price-to-earnings ratio of over 300. That’s… a statement. It’s saying, “We believe in the future. A very bright future. And we’re willing to pay a premium for it.” Which is fine, if you’re feeling particularly optimistic. I, however, am more of a “show me the profits” kind of girl.

And the deliveries are… down. 1.636 million vehicles delivered last year, compared to 1.789 million the year before. Not exactly a roaring success. And the bottom line? Not looking so great either. Net income down 37%. It’s like watching a perfectly good soufflé slowly deflate.

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So, buy, sell, or hold? Honestly? I’m leaning towards “hold off.” It’s a speculative bet, and I’m starting to feel a bit… speculative-fatigued. If Musk’s vision comes to fruition, it could be amazing. But there’s a lot of “if” in that sentence. And “ifs” are the enemy of a sensible investor.

Number of Times I’ve Googled “Early Retirement in a Rural Cottage”: 27. Amount of Coffee Consumed While Analyzing Financial Statements: Unquantifiable.

I do think Tesla has potential. The underlying business is… interesting. But price matters. And right now, the price feels… optimistic. Very optimistic. I’m waiting for a better entry point. A price that reflects a bit more… realism. A price that doesn’t make me feel like I’m throwing money into a black hole.

Maybe I’ll just stick to index funds. Less excitement, less stress, and a slightly higher probability of actually achieving financial security. It’s not glamorous, but it’s… sensible. And sometimes, sensible is enough.

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2026-01-21 06:22