TLDR
- Tesla jumped 6% Friday on Fed rate cut signals, leading mega-cap tech gains
- Stock still down 15% year-to-date, worst among Magnificent Seven companies
- Cybertruck premium model price increased $15,000 to $114,990
- Austin robo-taxi pilot continues with safety monitors required
- Technical analysts see potential breakout above $338 resistance level
Tesla shares rocketed 6% higher on Friday, closing near $340 as Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s Jackson Hole speech sparked hopes for imminent interest rate cuts. The electric vehicle giant outperformed all major technology stocks during the broad market rally.
Lower interest rates would benefit Tesla by making vehicle financing more accessible to consumers. The company’s historically volatile stock amplified gains as investor risk appetite returned to markets.
Despite Friday’s impressive surge, Tesla remains the worst-performing stock among the “Magnificent Seven” technology giants in 2025. Shares have tumbled over 15% year-to-date, underperforming even Apple’s 9% decline.
CEO Elon Musk previously warned of “rough quarters” ahead as EV tax credits expire in September. The policy change threatens to reduce consumer demand for electric vehicles.
Cybertruck Strategy Shift Raises Questions
Tesla recently increased its most expensive Cybertruck variant by $15,000 to $114,990. The “Luxe Package” includes Supervised Full Self-Driving technology and complimentary Supercharger access.
Standard Cybertruck models remain unchanged at $62,490 and $72,450. The selective price increase suggests Tesla is testing demand for bundled premium services.
Full Self-Driving typically costs $8,000 as a standalone option. The new pricing structure could signal a shift toward package deals rather than individual feature purchases.
Technical Breakout Potential
Fundstrat’s Mark Newton identifies $338 as a critical technical level for Tesla stock. Breaking above this July high could trigger a meaningful breakout pattern.
The stock has approached $338 multiple times recently but failed to sustain higher levels. Newton’s analysis focuses on chart patterns and historical price action rather than fundamental factors.
Tesla gained 2.9% for the week, marking three consecutive weekly advances. Monday premarket trading showed a modest 0.5% decline to $338.25.
Robo-Taxi Reality Check
Tesla’s Austin robo-taxi service launched in June with limited scope and human safety monitors. The pilot program serves selected customers in a restricted geographic area using modified Model Y vehicles.
Musk targets serving half the U.S. population by end-2025, despite Austin representing less than 1% of Americans. The ambitious timeline faces significant regulatory and operational challenges.
Global Tesla sales declined 13% year-over-year in the first half of 2025. The company plans a lower-priced Model Y variant to combat falling demand, though analysts question potential margin cannibalization.
Future Fund’s Gary Black suggests new vehicle categories like smaller SUVs or midsize trucks would better serve Tesla than additional Model Y variants.
