Tesla Earnings Miss Despite Record Third-Quarter Sales Surge

Tesla Inc. posted third-quarter profit that fell short of Wall Street’s expectations despite record electric-vehicle sales, a sign of the pressure automakers are facing from shifting federal policies and rising costs.

Adjusted earnings were 50 cents per share in the period, the company said Wednesday in a statement. Analysts had expected 54 cents on average in estimates compiled by Bloomberg. Revenue was $28.1 billion, outpacing expectations.

The shares slipped less than 1% at 4:10 p.m. in extended trading in New York.

The company reiterated language from the previous quarter that it’s “difficult to measure” how shifting global trade and fiscal policies would impact its businesses and operations. Tesla sees results hinging on the broader economic environment as well as its speed in accelerating autonomy efforts and ramping up production for key products.

Elon Musk, the world’s richest person, spent the end of Tesla Inc.’s earnings call pleading with investors to approve his $1 trillion pay package and blasting the shareholder advisory firms that have come out against the proposal.

“There needs to be enough voting control to give a strong influence, but not so much that I can’t be fired if I go insane,” Musk said, interrupting his chief financial officer as the more than hour-long call wrapped up.

It was classic Musk: a fiery end to what had otherwise been a ho-hum call largely devoted to Tesla’s artificial intelligence, humanoid robot and self-driving initiatives. Shareholders will vote on the pay package at Tesla’s Nov. 6 annual meeting in Austin.

Tesla’s earnings report was largely disappointing, with profit missing estimates despite record vehicle deliveries. Operating income plunged 40% in the third quarter, reflecting ongoing strains on an electric-vehicle business that’s being buffeted by changing US policies.

Costs are rising sharply for Tesla, with tariffs taking a more than $400 million toll on last quarter’s results. Operating expenses soared 50% to $3.4 billion in the period.

Tesla shares dropped as much as 5.7% shortly after the start of regular trading Thursday. The stock is up almost 9% for the year, trailing the 14% advance by the S&P 500 Index.

‘Unmitigated Concerns’

Proxy advisers Institutional Shareholder Services and Glass Lewis have recommended that investors reject the unprecedented payout to Musk, the value of which is dependent on Tesla reaching market value thresholds and operational milestones. ISS cited “unmitigated concerns” with the magnitude and design of the award, while Glass Lewis took issue with its potential to dilute other shareholders’ ownership.

Musk emphasized, as he has in the past, that sufficient voting control matters more to him than monetary compensation from Tesla.

“I just don’t feel comfortable building a robot army here, and then being ousted because of some asinine recommendations from ISS and Glass Lewis, who have no freaking clue,” he said.

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