Tesla has stemmed downside risk in its electric vehicle business and is exposed to "powerful emerging drivers" related to artificial intelligence and future energy demand, leaving it a better bet than Ford as the best stock in the auto industry, according to Morgan Stanley.
Analyst Adam Jonas has a $310 price target for Tesla, implying 40% upside from Friday's close of $219.80.
Tesla's cost cutting and restructuring has helped lower the breakeven point at which it can generate positive cash flow, Jonas wrote.
The Elon Musk-led company is also benefiting from zero emission credits that amount to $2,000 per vehicle, the analyst said.
The automaker also has a strong position in the energy storage market, with investors starting to consider that Tesla may benefit from a historic increase in electricity demand, according to the analyst.
Persons:
Tesla, Morgan Stanley, Adam Jonas, Jonas, Elon, ZEV
Organizations:
Ford, Tesla