Tesla (TSLA) is facing significant challenges that present a compelling bearish outlook. Despite industry-leading growth metrics, Tesla faces declining deliveries, increasing competition and significant executive turnover. With recent price action suggesting that investors are concerned, this presents an optimal opportunity to seek bearish exposure using options with limited risk heading into next week’s earnings. Trade timing If we look at the chart, TSLA has continued to trend lower and recently was rejected at its $360 resistance level and more recently again at its $330 resistance level. Couple this with the stock underperforming the S & P 500, it suggests that there is a possible distribution by institutional investors ahead of next week’s earnings. The timing for bearish exposure in TSLA is optimal with a favorable risk-to-reward profile, targeting a potential downside to $180. Fundamentals Despite industry leading growth and profitability metrics, TSLA trades at an extreme valuation premium relative to its industry peers, significantly raising valuation risks. Forward PE ratio: 166.4x vs. industry average 11.5x Expected EPS growth: 17.8% vs. industry average 8.3% Expected revenue growth: 13.0% vs. industry average 3.1% Net margins: 6.7% vs. industry average 2.7% Trade thesis Declining demand & deliveries: Tesla has seen consecutive quarterly declines in deliveries and increasing inventory buildup, signaling weakening demand. Fundamental weakness: Tesla has repeatedly missed financial targets, experiencing declining automotive sales revenues. Analyst caution: Mixed analyst ratings, including a consensus hold rating and skepticism around valuation. Intensifying competition: Heightened competition from Chinese EV manufacturers, has led to market share losses and forced price cuts. Executive turnover: High-profile departures, including Tesla’s top North American sales executive and senior artificial-intelligence leadership, signal internal instability. Options trade To leverage TSLA’s downside potential into earnings, I’m buying an Aug. 15 $300/$265 put vertical @ $9.97 Debit. This involves: Buying the Aug 15, $300 put @ $14.27 Selling the Aug 15, $265 put @ $4.30 Maximum Reward: $2,503 per contract if TSLA is below $265 at expiration. Maximum Risk: $997 per contract if TSLA is above $300 at expiration. Breakeven Point: $290.03 View this Trade with Updated Prices at OptionsPlay This bearish strategy positions you to profit from Tesla’s operational and competitive pressures, executive instability and technical weakness. With clearly defined risk and attractive reward, this put vertical spread offers a compelling approach to profit from anticipated declines in TSLA stock, or hedge an equity position into next week’s earnings report. DISCLOSURES: None. All opinions expressed by the CNBC Pro contributors are solely their opinions and do not reflect the opinions of CNBC, NBC UNIVERSAL, their parent company or affiliates, and may have been previously disseminated by them on television, radio, internet or another medium. THE ABOVE CONTENT IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY . THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSITUTE FINANCIAL, INVESTMENT, TAX OR LEGAL ADVICE OR A RECOMMENDATION TO BUY ANY SECURITY OR OTHER FINANCIAL ASSET. THE CONTENT IS GENERAL IN NATURE AND DOES NOT REFLECT ANY INDIVIDUAL’S UNIQUE PERSONAL CIRCUMSTANCES. THE ABOVE CONTENT MIGHT NOT BE SUITABLE FOR YOUR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES. BEFORE MAKING ANY FINANCIAL DECISIONS, YOU SHOULD STRONGLY CONSIDER SEEKING ADVICE FROM YOUR OWN FINANCIAL OR INVESTMENT ADVISOR. Click here for the full disclaimer.
