In a surprising move, hedge fund manager Dan Niles has announced that he is maintaining his short position on Tesla’s stock, despite his overall bullish outlook on the broader market. Niles, the cofounder and portfolio manager of the Satori Fund, recently shared his concerns about the headwinds Tesla is likely to face in the coming months that could potentially drive the stock price lower. Despite Tesla’s remarkable performance thus far, Niles believes that the current environment presents significant challenges for the company.
One of the main factors contributing to Niles’ skepticism is the surge in interest rates, particularly the 10-year Treasury yield, which spiked to 4.8% recently. Niles argues that this situation creates an unfavorable backdrop for the auto industry, impacting both consumer affordability and demand. As a result, the average new-vehicle loan interest rate has risen to 9.62%, significantly increasing the cost of purchasing a car for the average consumer. Cox Automotive’s data reveals that it now takes 42.1 weeks of median income to buy a new vehicle, a sharp increase from the pre-pandemic average of 34 weeks. Niles believes these higher financing costs, in combination with the substantial increase in Tesla’s stock price, make it an opportune time to short the company relative to other technology companies.
Tesla’s recent delivery numbers have also raised concerns about the company’s future performance. In the third quarter, Tesla delivered 435,059 cars, falling short of expectations and lower than the 466,140 cars delivered in the previous three months. This decline occurred despite earlier price cuts on its Model 3 and Model Y vehicles. Niles argues that these statistics are indicative of the continued pressure on gross margins that Tesla is likely to face going forward.
Niles’ Conservative Position
It is important to note that Niles’ short position on Tesla is relatively small, only accounting for around 1% of his portfolio. In the past, he has taken more aggressive positions, with bets of up to 15% on stocks that his hedge fund had a high conviction in. While Niles has reservations about Tesla’s stock valuation, he still maintains a positive view of the company itself. As an owner of a Tesla Model X, he considers it a great product and believes that CEO Elon Musk is a visionary akin to Thomas Edison. However, Niles believes that the stock is overpriced, considering the likelihood of lower earnings estimates in the future.
Despite his skepticism regarding Tesla, Niles maintains a bullish stance on the overall market. Currently, less than 10% of his fund’s holdings are shorts, which is significantly lower than the historical average of around 50%. This suggests that Niles sees potential in other areas of the market and believes that the overall landscape is conducive to positive returns. While he warns of challenges specific to Tesla, his confidence in the broader market highlights his optimistic outlook.
Dan Niles’ critical perspective on Tesla’s stock sets him apart from many other market analysts. His concerns regarding rising interest rates, weakening delivery numbers, and Tesla’s overall valuation have led him to maintain his short position on the company. However, it is important to note that Niles still holds a positive view of Tesla as a company and recognizes its innovative products. With his bullish outlook on the broader market, Niles creates a nuanced perspective that hints at the complexities and uncertainties inherent in investing. As Tesla continues to navigate the challenges ahead, only time will reveal the ultimate outcome of Niles’ short position and the broader market dynamics.