Don’t hold your breath for Tesla’s third quarter earnings, says banking giant UBS.
When the electric carmaker reports earnings Wednesday, investors will be watching out for two main data points: Updates on Tesla’s mass market Model 3 vehicle, and more information about Tesla’s cash burn situation.
Tesla burned up a record amount of cash in the second quarter — about $1.2 billion — in its push to produce its highly anticipated Model 3 and increase its battery output. To replenish its reserves, Tesla later sought to raise some $1.8 billion through a bond offering, leaving it with about $5 billion or so in cash, says UBS analyst Colin Langan.
Despite the fundraising efforts, Tesla’s current rate of spending is so aggressive that Langan says he expects Tesla to run out of cash in about four more quarters or so, burning about $900 million in the third quarter alone. Meanwhile, the company also has $1.4 billion in debt due by the end of 2018.
“With limited Model 3 profitability, infrastructure expansion needs, and Model Y capacity build (late 2019), we believe Tesla will eventually need additional outside funding,” Langan wrote.
UBS reiterated its “Sell” rating on the stock, giving it a 12 month price target of $185, about 42% below its current level.
Tesla did not immediately return Coins2Day’s request for comment on UBS’ report.
Tesla is expected to post a loss of $2.23 per share and revenue of $2.94 billion.
