Pacific Crest: Tesla Demand Concerns Are Overdone

In a report published Tuesday, analysts at Pacific Crest Securities reiterated their Overweight rating on Tesla Motors Inc TSLA, as well as the price target of $293. The analysts believe that concerns regarding waning demand are misplaced. "We believe misperceptions of both falling lead times on Tesla's website and bigger discounts for show-room models are driving some to believe that Model S demand is waning. We'd disagree based on feedback from Tesla sales centers," the analysts said. The company has preannounced positive data for the March quarter. The analysts believe that Tesla Motors would be able to achieve 40 percent of its volume in 1H, in-line with the guidance. Car volume expectations for 2016 and the potential multi-billion-dollar storage revenue opportunity is likely to lead to significant increase in battery production capacity in 2016. The Q1 gross margins, "This, combined with a better-than-feared delivery outlook for the year, would likely drive further appreciation in TSLA with an on-time Model X launch and Gigafactory progress updates representing positive catalysts still to come," the analysts added.