Tesla Stocks Target for 2026: What is the Robo-Taxi Vision?

Transformation in Tesla Shares: Robo-Taxi Expectations

Tesla shares are capturing investors' attention by moving beyond traditional dynamics as we approach 2025. Now, it's not just about car deliveries; AI-powered robo-taxi services are on the agenda. CEO Elon Musk aims to keep investment expectations alive by highlighting this new narrative during the holiday season.

Market Performance and Current Status

Recently, weak performance has been observed in Tesla shares. Pre-session, the shares decreased by %1.66, falling to $467.31. At the same time, S&P 500 futures contracts dropped by %0.24, the Nasdaq 100 index decreased by %0.4, while the Dow Jones futures index remained stable. However, the nearly %18 increase in Tesla's value since the beginning of the year is noteworthy.

Profit Forecasts and Rising Valuation

Wall Street analysts forecast a $2.17 earnings per share for Tesla in 2026. This figure represents a significant decline compared to a year ago, as the previous year's expectation was $4.25. For the fourth quarter, the estimated profit is only $0.44, falling short of last year's $0.73.

Analyst Views and Robo-Taxi Vision

Despite car deliveries being estimated at 440,000, recent evaluations indicate this number could decline to 415,000. Barclays analyst Dan Levy pointed out that sales volumes and fundamental financial indicators are taking a back seat, stating, "The stock price is almost entirely driven by the narrative." Levy maintains a Hold rating for Tesla with a price target of $350.

On the other hand, Wedbush analyst Dan Ives presents a more optimistic perspective. Ives mentioned that Tesla could provide robo-taxi services in 30 cities by 2026, which would mean surpassing Alphabet's Waymo unit. Giving a Buy recommendation for the stock, Ives set a price target of $600.

Conclusion and Future Expectations

Experts anticipate that 2026 will be a decisive year for advancements in the robo-taxi sector. If Tesla successfully popularizes vehicles that carry passengers without a safety monitor, the stock value could be maintained; otherwise, pressure could increase. Additionally, it is quite rare for Tesla shares to experience annual value loss; the company has only closed in the negative in 2016 and 2022 since its IPO in 2010.