Tesla (TSLA) reported a record first quarter, and we calculate adjusted diluted EPS of $1.14 compared with first-quarter 2019 EPS of negative $2.90. We expect large upward stock moves for Tesla in May as results crushed the Refinitiv EPS consensus of a loss of $0.36. We also expect second quarter will suffer from the firms main plant in California being shutdown since late March, but once COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, we expect Tesla to fill a large number of orders which are still coming in online. We understand given COVID-19 uncertainty that management cannot give 2020 delivery guidance, but we like that Tesla continues to invest without slowing as evidenced by the Shanghai Model Y plant and Gigafactory Berlin both due to start production next year.

We regret nearly halving our fair value estimate on March 18, partly based on a higher weighted average cost of capital due to Teslas 2025 bond yield exceeding 10%, because, in hindsight, that is the same time the bond yield peaked. Even a pandemic causes no fear for the market with this stock, and we're lowering our WACC to about 8.8% from 12%. We're also raising our midcycle operating margin back to 11% and raising deliveries over our 10-year forecast period because we think Tesla will continue to provide formidable competition to premium automakers and have a million units of capacity by the end of 2021. These changes mean we are increasing our fair value estimate to about $731 from $239. If a recession cant stop Tesla then virtually nothing will, and we expect the company to remain a leader in autonomous technology and range. Tesla is also gaining scale and its ability to make desirable vehicles while generating free cash flow and net profit is far better than its ever been. For the quarter, free cash flow was negative $895 million but this was mostly for inventory increases which we expect will become a free cash flow benefit once vehicles being held at the end of first quarter get delivered next quarter.

Excerpt from:

Tesla Posts a 1Q Profit for the First Time - Morningstar.com