Editing Tesla, Inc. (section)

==Risks==

As with any investment, investing in Tesla carries a level of risk.  Overall, based on the Tesla's adjusted beta (i.e. 2.12), the degree of risk associated with an investment in Tesla is 'high'.

Here, to estimate the adjusted beta, we used the iShares MSCI World ETF to represent the market portfolio; and in terms of the time period and frequency of observations, we used five years of monthly data (i.e. 60 observations in total), which is supported by a study and is the most common choice. The beta value in a future period has been found to be on average closer to the mean value of 1.0, and because valuation is forward-looking, it is logical to adjust the raw beta so it more accurately predicts a future beta. In addition, here, we have assumed that for an investment to be considered 'high' risk, it must have a beta value of 1.5 or more. Further information about the beta ratings can be found in the appendix section of this report.

The key risks can be found below. For us, currently, the biggest risk to the valuation of the company relates to the strong competition for its products and services from a growing list of established and new competitors (i.e. competition risk).

===Risks related to the ability to grow the business=== 

*Tesla may be impacted by macroeconomic conditions resulting from the global COVID-19 pandemic.
*Tesla may experience delays in launching and ramping the production of its products and features, or Tesla may be unable to control its manufacturing costs.
*Tesla may be unable to grow its global product sales, delivery and installation capabilities and its servicing and vehicle charging networks, or Tesla may be unable to accurately project and effectively manage its growth.
*Tesla's future growth and success is dependent upon consumers’ demand for electric vehicles and specifically its vehicles in an automotive industry that is generally competitive, cyclical and volatile.
*Tesla's suppliers may fail to deliver components according to schedules, prices, quality and volumes that are acceptable to us, or Tesla may be unable to manage these components effectively.
*Tesla may be unable to meet its projected construction timelines, costs and production ramps at new factories, or Tesla may experience difficulties in generating and maintaining demand for products manufactured there.
* Tesla will need to maintain and significantly grow its access to battery cells, including through the development and manufacture of its own cells, and control its related costs.
*Tesla faces strong competition for its products and services from a growing list of established and new competitors.

===Risks related to the company's operations===

*Tesla may experience issues with lithium-ion cells or other components manufactured at Gigafactory Nevada and Gigafactory Shanghai, which may harm the production and profitability of its vehicle and energy storage products.
*Tesla faces risks associated with maintaining and expanding its international operations, including unfavourable and uncertain regulatory, political, economic, tax and labour conditions.
*Tesla's business may suffer if its products or features contain defects, fail to perform as expected or take longer than expected to become fully functional.
*Tesla may be required to defend or insure against product liability claims.
*Tesla will need to maintain public credibility and confidence in its long-term business prospects in order to succeed.
*Tesla may be unable to effectively grow, or manage the compliance, residual value, financing and credit risks related to, its various financing programs.
*Tesla must manage ongoing obligations under its agreement with the Research Foundation for the State University of New York relating to its Gigafactory New York.
*If Tesla is unable to attract, hire and retain key employees and qualified personnel, its ability to compete may be harmed.
*Tesla is highly dependent on the services of Elon Musk, its Chief Executive Officer.
*Tesla's information technology systems or data, or those of its service providers or customers or users could be subject to cyber-attacks or other security incidents, which could result in data breaches, intellectual property theft, claims, litigation, regulatory investigations, significant liability, reputational damage and other adverse consequences.
*Any unauthorized control or manipulation of Tesla's products’ systems could result in loss of confidence in it and its products.
*Tesla's business may be adversely affected by any disruptions caused by union activities.
*Tesla may choose to or be compelled to undertake product recalls or take other similar actions.
*Tesla's current and future warranty reserves may be insufficient to cover future warranty claims.
*Tesla's insurance coverage strategy may not be adequate to protect it from all business risks.
*Tesla's debt agreements contain covenant restrictions that may limit its ability to operate its business.
*Additional funds may not be available to Tesla when it needs or want them.
*Tesla may be negatively impacted by any early obsolescence of its manufacturing equipment.
*Tesla holds and may acquire digital assets that may be subject to volatile market prices, impairment and unique risks of loss.
*There is no guarantee that Tesla will have sufficient cash flow from its business to pay its indebtedness or that it will not incur additional indebtedness.
*Tesla is exposed to fluctuations in currency exchange rates.
*Tesla may need to defend itself against intellectual property infringement claims, which may be time-consuming and expensive.
*Increased scrutiny and changing expectations from stakeholders with respect to the company's ESG practices may result in additional costs or risks.
* Tesla's operations could be adversely affected by events outside of its control, such as natural disasters, wars or health epidemics.

===Risks related to government laws and regulations===  

* Demand for Tesla's products and services may be impacted by the status of government and economic incentives supporting the development and adoption of such products.
*Tesla is subject to evolving laws and regulations that could impose substantial costs, legal prohibitions or unfavourable changes upon its operations or products.
*Any failure by Tesla to comply with a variety of United States and international privacy and consumer protection laws may harm the company.
*Tesla could be subject to liability, penalties and other restrictive sanctions and adverse consequences arising out of certain governmental investigations and proceedings.
*Tesla may face regulatory challenges to or limitations on its ability to sell vehicles directly.

===Risks related to the ownership of the company's common stock===  

*The trading price of Tesla's common stock is likely to continue to be volatile.
* Tesla's financial results may vary significantly from period to period due to fluctuations in its operating costs and other factors.
*Tesla may fail to meet its publicly announced guidance or other expectations about its business, which could cause its stock price to decline.
*Transactions relating to Tesla's convertible senior notes may dilute the ownership interest of existing stockholders, or may otherwise depress the price of its common stock.
*If Elon Musk were forced to sell shares of Tesla's common stock that he has pledged to secure certain personal loan obligations, such sales could cause its stock price to decline.
* Anti-takeover provisions contained in Tesla's governing documents, applicable laws and its convertible senior notes could impair a takeover attempt.