Tesla Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) shares experienced a noticeable decline on Monday, driven by concerns over regulatory scrutiny and adjustments to supply agreements. The company is under a new defect investigation focused on the safety mechanism of its 2022 Model 3, specifically the emergency door release, which regulators believe may be difficult to locate or operate in urgent situations.
The investigation initiated by U.S. auto safety authorities affects approximately 179,071 vehicles. This action follows a petition claiming that the mechanical emergency release is inadequately visible, unlabeled, and not user-friendly, especially for passengers seated in the rear. These claims have drawn attention to safety features that may affect the vehicle's operability during emergencies.
This inquiry adds to Tesla’s ongoing encounters with legal and regulatory evaluations connected to previous fatal crashes, further placing the company's vehicle safety standards under a microscope.
In a separate development, South Korean battery material supplier L&F announced a steep contraction in the expected value of its 2023 supply agreement with Tesla. The initial agreement, valued at approximately $2.9 billion, has effectively been reduced to approximately $7,386. L&F had planned to supply high-nickel cathode materials intended for Tesla's 4680 battery cells through 2025.
The substantial drop stems from Tesla’s reduced production of the 4680 cells and lower than anticipated sales of the Cybertruck, which did not meet the ambitious forecasts issued by Tesla CEO Elon Musk. Consequently, Tesla’s requirement for the battery material plummeted, leading to this severe decline in contract value.
From a technical perspective, Tesla's stock performance presents a nuanced picture. Currently, TSLA trades above significant moving averages, an indicator often interpreted as bullish by market participants. Specifically, it is approximately 0.7% above the 20-day simple moving average (SMA), 4.5% above the 50-day SMA, and 12.3% above the 100-day SMA, suggesting sustained upward momentum over the short to medium term.
Relative Strength Index (RSI) stands at 57.30, which is within a neutral range, indicating the stock is neither overbought nor oversold. This suggests potential room for momentum increase without immediate risk of a pullback due to overextension. Complementing this, the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) remains above its signal line, further supporting the view of ongoing bullish momentum despite the recent price drop.
Critical technical support for Tesla shares is identified at $383.00, with resistance set at $474.00. Should the stock price approach the support level, it could mark a possible reversal or consolidation phase. Conversely, a breach above resistance levels might catalyze further upward movement.
Historically, the 'golden cross' event in September, wherein the 50-day SMA surpassed the 200-day SMA, signaled the potential onset of a sustained positive trend for Tesla stock. This pattern is widely regarded as a bullish indicator, underscoring the importance of monitoring such developments for longer-term investment strategies.
Over the past year, Tesla shares have appreciated by approximately 11.25%, illustrating a resilient trajectory despite intermittent volatility. Presently, the stock trades near the upper bounds of its 52-week range, approximately 87.8% toward the highs, indicating strength but also warranting caution for investors as the stock nears critical levels where profit-taking or pullbacks could occur.
At the time of reporting on Monday, Tesla’s shares declined by 2.60%, closing at $462.84. This price movement reflects market reactions to the regulatory and supply news as traders reassess Tesla’s near-term prospects.
Market participants and analysts continue to watch Tesla closely as these developments unfold, balancing technical signals with broader operational and regulatory challenges impacting the stock’s performance and outlook.