‘Overpromising and Underdelivering,' Says Top Investor About Tesla Stock
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Indeed, it is the CEO's compulsive energy and incredible ambitions that has made him the richest person alive. Recently, however, Musk's salesmanship is brushing up against an unconvinced market when it comes to TSLA, and the company's share price has been dropping.
After ending 2024 on a tear, TSLA is down over 20% for the year due to declining EV sales and a worsening brand for Musk himself. Can a robotaxi effort turn the narrative around?
Count one top investor known by the pseudonym Stone Fox Capital unconvinced that this will happen anytime soon.
'Tesla, Inc.'s robotaxi launch remains underwhelming, with delays, regulatory issues, and only supervised services—not true autonomous robotaxis as promised,' explains the 5-star investor, who is among the top 3% of TipRanks' stock pros.
Stone Fox notes that Tesla is having issues shifting from supervised to unsupervised driving, disappointing shareholders who are counting on the Musk-led firm to deliver the goods.
The investor further details that Musk recently shared on the last earnings call that the company would 'probably have autonomous ride-hailing in probably half the population of the U.S. by the end of the year.'
Needless to say, Stone Fox does not believe this assertion is grounded in reality, pointing out that at present the company is only operating a handful of supervised taxis.
Moreover, it is not just the future ambitions which the investor finds troubling, but the current operations as well. Stone Fox cites slumping EV sales, which the investor chalks up in large part to Musk's declining popularity.
'Tesla is facing a real scenario where market share is slipping all around the world after peaking 2 years ago,' adds Stone Fox.
The stakes are high for the company, whose share price trades at very high multiples – a Forward 2026 Price-to-Earnings ratio of 128x – that assume earnings will be jumping up by 43%.
'The company has a massive opportunity ahead capable of moving the needle on the $1 trillion market cap, but if Tesla continues the path of overpromising and underdelivering, the stock is headed far lower,' concludes Stone Fox Capital, who rates TSLA a Sell. (To watch Stone Fox Capital's track record, click here)
Wall Street presents a mixed picture when it comes TSLA. With 13 Buys, 15 Holds, and 8 Sells, TSLA has a consensus Hold (i.e. Neutral) rating. Its 12-month average price target of $305.37 implies minimal movement in the year ahead. (See TSLA stock forecast)
To find good ideas for stocks trading at attractive valuations, visit TipRanks' Best Stocks to Buy, a tool that unites all of TipRanks' equity insights.
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Business Wire
26 minutes ago
- Business Wire
Modiv Industrial Announces Second Quarter 2025 Results
DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Modiv Industrial, Inc. ('Modiv Industrial,' 'Modiv' or the 'Company') (NYSE:MDV), the only public REIT exclusively focused on acquiring industrial manufacturing real estate, today announced operating results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2025. Highlights: Second quarter 2025 revenue of $11.8 million and net loss attributable to common stockholders of $(2.8) million. Second quarter AFFO of $4.8 million, or $0.38 per diluted share, a 22% year-over year increase, beating consensus estimates. 5-year lease renewal with 2% annual escalations on our Northrop Grumman property located in Melbourne, Florida. The following is a statement from Aaron Halfacre, CEO of Modiv Industrial. 'I don't know about you but the second quarter of 2025 left me feeling a bit dizzy - like I spent too much time on a high speed merry-go-round. The sheer volume of events that happened over the quarter was mind-numbing. The bombing of Iran and the end of the Trump-Musk bromance feel like ancient history. Everyday seems to be a new sensational headline. Meanwhile, the Fed pissing match ensues, tariff speculation remains rampant, tech stocks and crypto continue to defy gravity, and the REIT sector seems stuck in a perpetual toilet swirl. Yet, here at Modiv, it was calm, steady and decidedly non-dizzying. In fact, you might call this quarter flat out boring. We stuck to our discipline, worked our patience and tended to the details. No flash, no bang, needed to deliver the 22% year-over year increase in quarterly results. Alas, the past won't make us any more money than it has, so let me share some thoughts on the future: Lending Thaw - Though our term loan doesn't mature until January 2027, we are a bit like Aesop's Ant always preparing for a future winter and, as such, we've been speaking to the bank lending market and our takeaway is that lenders have shifted from reluctantly lending toward a somewhat more normal willingness to lend. Both debt refinancing and new acquisition financing seem available to those who seek it. Hunting Wabbits - Market activity seems to confirm the thaw. Not only have there been a recent spat of large dollar single and multi-asset acquisitions by higher profile REITs, we have also seen numerous attractive note offerings. However, watching the big REITs do what they do isn't nearly as telling of a potential pivot point as it is to watch the activity of the more diminutive real estate enterprises. Be it the number of strategic alternative review announcements (e.g. GIPR, PGRE, FSP, ELME), the take private of City Office REIT (NYSE: CIO), or the Kawa bid on Orion (NYSE: ONL), we are starting to see early signs that people are willing to place their bets. Of relevance, to a net lease company like Modiv, are the two recent net lease platform acquisitions: the first being the acquisition of Elm Tree Funds by BlackRock (NYSE: BLK) and the second being the acquisition of Fundamental Income by Starwood Trust (NYSE: STWD). Long duration WALT portfolios appear to be in vogue. As a small cap REIT with 14+ WALT and a healthy balance sheet, our head is always on swivel and I shared our thoughts on M&A earlier this year. We are cognizant that there is a food chain (and where we sit on it), but we are a fierce small mammal, more honey badger than rabbit, so it remains to be seen if we are the hunted or the hunter. Recycling Green - With signs of tighter cap rates being observed in the acquisition markets and the numerous unsolicited overtures for our properties (and beyond), it is starting to feel like we might be entering the right stage to begin the next phase of our asset recycling program to generate even more greenbacks. Modiv has about $150 million of assets that we have long thought about recycling into more appropriate opportunities. Based on our deep analysis of the respective property markets, we believe these assets, if recycled as we intend, could produce at least 100 basis points of AFFO growth within 12+ months from a green light. Discipline over Dopamine - As we all know, history tends to repeat itself. Different actors, different stage, same story. We have seen these capital markets in the past. We know that the disciplined investors thrive because they know to control their emotions and work their plan. If you haven't noticed yet, MDV loves discipline. Until next quarter. Grit, grind, get it done!' Aaron Halfacre, CEO of Modiv Industrial. Conference Call and Webcast A conference call and audio webcast with analysts and investors will be held on Thursday, August 7, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time / 8:00 a.m. Pacific Time, to discuss the second quarter ended June 30, 2025 operating results and answer questions. Live conference call: 1-800-717-1738 or 1-646-307-1865 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time, Thursday, August 7, 2025 Webcast: To listen to the webcast, either live or archived, please use this link: or visit the investor relations page of Modiv's website at About Modiv Industrial Modiv Industrial, Inc. is an internally managed REIT that is focused on single-tenant net-lease industrial manufacturing real estate. The Company actively acquires critical industrial manufacturing properties with long-term leases to tenants that fuel the national economy and strengthen the nation's supply chains. For more information, please visit: Forward-looking Statements Certain statements contained in this press release, other than historical facts, may be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements related to our future financial performance, annualized dividend rates, future distributions and distributions declared by the Company's board of directors. Such forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those described under the section entitled 'Risk Factors' in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the 'SEC') on March 4, 2025. Accordingly, there are or will be important factors that could cause actual outcomes or results to differ materially from those indicated in these statements. These factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are included in this press release and in the Company's other filings with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements herein speak only as of the time when made and are based on information available to the Company as of such date and are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The Company assumes no obligation to revise or update any such statement now or in the future, unless required by law. Notice Involving Non-GAAP Financial Measures In addition to U.S. GAAP financial measures, this press release and the supplemental financial and operating report included in our Form 8-K dated August 7, 2025 contain and may refer to certain non-GAAP financial measures. These non-GAAP financial measures are in addition to, not a substitute for or superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered replacements for, and should be read together with, the most comparable GAAP financial measures. Reconciliations to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures and statements of why management believes these measures are useful to investors are provided below. AFFO is a measure that is not calculated in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ('GAAP'). See the Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures later in this press release. MODIV INDUSTRIAL, INC. Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (in thousands, except shares and per share data) (unaudited) June 30, 2025 Assets Real estate investments: Land $ 98,738 $ 98,009 Buildings and improvements 388,564 386,102 Equipment — 4,429 Tenant origination and absorption costs 13,638 13,194 Total investments in real estate property 500,940 501,734 Accumulated depreciation and amortization (66,176 ) (59,524 ) Total real estate investments, net, excluding unconsolidated investment in real estate property and real estate investments held for sale, net 434,764 442,210 Unconsolidated investment in a real estate property 9,262 9,324 Total real estate investments, net, excluding real estate investments held for sale, net 444,026 451,534 Real estate investments held for sale, net 22,372 22,372 Total real estate investments, net 466,398 473,906 Cash and cash equivalents 5,814 11,530 Tenant deferred rent and other receivables 20,820 18,460 Above-market lease intangibles, net 1,203 1,240 Prepaid expenses and other assets 2,514 2,693 Interest rate swap derivatives 2,103 — Total assets $ 498,852 $ 507,829 Liabilities and Equity Mortgage notes payable, net $ 30,516 $ 30,777 Credit facility term loan, net 249,231 248,999 Accounts payable, accrued and other liabilities 3,333 4,035 Distributions payable 2,027 1,994 Below-market lease intangibles, net 7,530 7,948 Other liabilities related to real estate investments held for sale — 26 Total liabilities 292,637 293,779 Commitments and contingencies 7.375% Series A cumulative redeemable perpetual preferred stock, $0.001 par value; $25.00 per share liquidation preference; 2,000,000 shares authorized; 1,725,000 outstanding as of June 30, 2025 and 2,000,000 outstanding as of December 31, 2024 2 2 Class C common stock, $0.001 par value, 300,000,000 shares authorized; 10,614,130 shares issued and 10,146,811 shares outstanding as of June 30, 2025, and 10,404,211 shares issued and 9,936,892 outstanding as of December 31, 2024 11 10 Additional paid-in-capital 334,096 349,479 Treasury stock, at cost, 467,319 shares held as of each June 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024 (7,112 ) (7,112 ) Cumulative distributions and net losses (162,761 ) (154,074 ) Accumulated other comprehensive income 1,367 1,841 Total Modiv Industrial, Inc. equity 165,603 190,146 Noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership 40,612 23,904 Total equity 206,215 214,050 Total liabilities and equity $ 498,852 $ 507,829 Expand MODIV INDUSTRIAL, INC. Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures - FFO and AFFO (in thousands, except shares and per share data) (Unaudited) Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2025 2024 2025 2024 Net (loss) income (in accordance with GAAP) $ (2,633 ) $ 1,262 $ (1,804 ) $ 5,899 Preferred stock dividends (796 ) (922 ) (1,623 ) (1,844 ) Net (loss) income attributable to common stockholders and OP Unit holders (3,429 ) $ 340 (3,427 ) $ 4,055 FFO adjustments: Depreciation and amortization of real estate properties 3,828 4,137 7,646 8,270 Amortization of deferred lease incentives — 2 — (3 ) Depreciation and amortization for unconsolidated investment in a real estate property 189 189 378 379 Impairment of real estate investment property 4,000 — 4,000 — Gain on sale of real estate investments, net — — (84 ) (3,188 ) FFO attributable to common stockholders and OP Unit holders 4,588 4,668 8,513 9,513 AFFO adjustments: Stock compensation expense 810 67 1,294 1,446 Amortization of deferred financing costs 158 221 315 443 Amortization of deferred rents (1,269 ) (1,422 ) (2,572 ) (3,094 ) Amortization of unrealized holding gain, net of unrealized loss on non-designated or ineffective interest rate derivative instruments (253 ) 550 (503 ) (739 ) Amortization of off-market interest rate derivatives and reduction for accrued interest 1,034 — 2,109 — Amortization of (below) above market lease intangibles, net (212 ) (212 ) (424 ) (423 ) Loss on equity investments — 5 — 26 Other adjustments for unconsolidated investment in a real estate property (78 ) 24 (42 ) 47 AFFO attributable to common stockholders and OP Unit holders $ 4,778 $ 3,901 $ 8,690 $ 7,219 Weighted Average Shares/Units Outstanding: Fully diluted (1) 12,612,092 11,419,115 12,229,385 11,389,106 FFO Per Share/Unit: Fully diluted $ 0.36 $ 0.41 $ 0.70 $ 0.84 AFFO Per Share/Unit: Expand (1) Fully diluted shares/units outstanding includes the weighted average dilutive effect of 1,593,328 Class C OP Units and 895,043 Class X OP Units for the three months ended June 30, 2025, 1,469,750 Class C OP Units and 710,875 Class X OP Units for the six months ended June 30, 2025, and 1,977,630 and 2,386,287 Class C OP Units for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively. Class X OP Units were excluded from the weighted average shares/units outstanding in calculating earnings (loss) per share for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025 in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations since they were anti-dilutive. Expand In order to provide a more complete understanding of the operating performance of a REIT, the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts ('Nareit') promulgated a measure known as Funds from Operations ('FFO'). FFO is defined as net income or loss computed in accordance with GAAP, excluding gains and losses from sales of depreciable operating property, plus real estate-related depreciation and amortization (excluding amortization of deferred financing costs and depreciation of non-real estate assets), and after adjustment for unconsolidated investments, preferred dividends and real estate impairments. Because FFO calculations adjust for such items as depreciation and amortization of real estate assets and gains and losses from sales of operating real estate assets (which can vary among owners of identical assets in similar conditions based on historical cost accounting and useful-life estimates), they facilitate comparisons of operating performance between periods and between other REITs. As a result, we believe that the use of FFO, together with the required GAAP presentations, provides a more complete understanding of our performance relative to our competitors and a more informed and appropriate basis on which to make decisions involving operating, financing, and investing activities. It should be noted, however, that other REITs may not define FFO in accordance with the current Nareit definition or may interpret the current Nareit definition differently than we do, making comparisons less meaningful. Additionally, we use Adjusted Funds from Operations ('AFFO') as a non-GAAP financial measure to evaluate our operating performance. AFFO excludes non-routine and certain non-cash items such as stock-based compensation, amortization of deferred rent, amortization of below/above market lease intangibles, amortization of deferred financing costs, gain or loss from the extinguishment of debt, unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments, amortization of off-market interest rate derivatives and reduction for accrued interest, and write-offs of due diligence expenses for abandoned pursuits. We also believe that AFFO is a recognized measure of sustainable operating performance in the REIT industry. Further, we believe AFFO is useful in comparing the sustainability of our operating performance with the sustainability of the operating performance of other real estate companies. Management believes that AFFO is a beneficial indicator of our ongoing portfolio performance. More specifically, AFFO isolates the financial results of our operations. AFFO, however, is not considered an appropriate measure of historical earnings as it excludes certain significant costs that are otherwise included in reported earnings. Further, since the measure is based on historical financial information, AFFO for the period presented may not be indicative of future results. By providing FFO and AFFO, we present information that assists investors in aligning their analysis with management's analysis of long-term operating activities. For all of these reasons, we believe the non-GAAP measures of FFO and AFFO, in addition to income or loss from operations, net income or loss and cash flows from operating activities, as defined by GAAP, are helpful supplemental performance measures and useful to investors in evaluating the performance of our real estate portfolio. AFFO is useful in assisting management and investors in assessing our ongoing ability to generate cash flow from operations and continue as a going concern in future operating periods. However, a material limitation associated with FFO and AFFO is that they are not indicative of our cash available to fund distributions since other uses of cash, such as capital expenditures at our properties and principal payments of debt, are not deducted when calculating FFO and AFFO. Therefore, FFO and AFFO should not be viewed as a more prominent measure of performance than income or loss from operations, net income (loss) or cash flows from operating activities and each should be reviewed in connection with GAAP measurements. Neither the SEC, Nareit, nor any other applicable body has opined on the acceptability of the adjustments contemplated to adjust FFO in order to calculate AFFO and its use as a non-GAAP performance measure. In the future, the SEC or Nareit may decide to standardize the allowable exclusions across the REIT industry, and we may have to adjust the calculation and characterization of this non-GAAP measure. We define Net Debt as gross debt less cash and cash equivalents. We define Adjusted EBITDA as GAAP net income or loss adjusted to exclude real estate related depreciation and amortization, gains or losses from the sales of depreciable property, extraordinary items, provisions for impairment on real estate investments and goodwill, interest expense, non-cash items such as stock compensation and write-offs of transaction costs and other one-time transactions. We believe these non-GAAP financial measures are useful to investors because they are widely accepted industry measures used by analysts and investors to compare the operating performance of REITs. EBITDA is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP, and our EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. You should not consider our EBITDA as an alternative to net income or cash flows from operating activities determined in accordance with GAAP.
Fox News
an hour ago
- Fox News
$5,900 Unitree R1 robot is surprisingly affordable
Unitree just dropped its latest creation, the R1 humanoid robot, and people are talking. At only $5,900, it's the most affordable bipedal robot we've seen so far. The low price has taken the tech world by surprise and kicked off a wave of excitement. It's a big step toward making humanoid robots more affordable for people. Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy ReportGet my best tech tips, urgent security alerts, and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you'll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide - free when you join my In Unitree's promo videos, the R1 shows off by running, spinning, shadowboxing, doing handstands, and even nailing cartwheels. People are starting to realize just how far these humanoid robots have come in terms of coordination and agility. What's especially wild is that it's not priced exclusively for big research labs; regular consumers might actually be able to get their hands on one. The robot can pull off impressive moves thanks to 26 joint degrees of freedom, giving it flexibility similar to a gymnast. It uses onboard sensors, like binocular and wide-angle cameras, microphones, and speakers to understand and navigate its surroundings. An 8-core CPU and GPU power tasks such as voice and image recognition. Its battery lasts about one hour per charge, which is solid for a robot this size. Speaking of size, the R1 weighs around 55 pounds and stands about 4 feet tall. That makes it compact enough to fit easily into classrooms or labs. The standard model comes with fixed open fists, so it can't actually grip objects. However, an advanced EDU version offers movable fingers and lets each arm carry up to 6.6 pounds. Unitree's older models include the G1 at sixteen thousand dollars and the H1 at over ninety thousand. In comparison, the R1 feels like a total game changer. Its lower price gives researchers, small developers, and educators a new opportunity to explore humanoid robotics. Of course, some people are a little skeptical. A few have raised questions about whether the promo footage uses CGI or overly scripted setups. And let's be honest, anyone who's seen robots go off-script knows how unpredictable things can get. That's why solid software and strong safety systems are still so important, especially at this price point. Administrators and researchers around the world are closely watching Unitree's move. China's strength in manufacturing and low-cost hardware gives it a clear advantage, especially as it goes head-to-head with U.S. players like Tesla, Figure AI, and Agility Robotics. Everyone's racing to make humanoids affordable and practical. Some researchers are already working the R1 into academic projects. Researchers expect machine learning systems and training tools from older models to work with the R1 as well. And in the medical world, some trials are exploring how humanoid robots can assist in remote care, though they still need improvements in strength and sensitivity. If you've ever dreamed of working with a humanoid robot but thought it was out of reach, the R1 changes that. At $5,900, it's affordable enough for educators, researchers, and developers on a budget. It can walk, spin, and even cartwheel, giving you a real platform to test AI and robotics projects. The standard version doesn't grip, but the EDU model adds movable fingers and more power. With its compact size and one-hour battery life, the R1 fits easily into classrooms, labs, or maker spaces. It's not perfect, but it's a big step toward making humanoid robotics truly accessible. The Unitree R1 is catching attention for all the right reasons. It's fast, flexible, and surprisingly affordable, just $5,900 for a bipedal humanoid that can run, cartwheel, and react to its surroundings. That's huge for schools, researchers, and developers who've never had access to this kind of tech at this kind of price. But while it looks impressive on video, some folks are wondering how it performs in real life. Is it a reliable research tool or just a flashy demo machine? One thing's clear: the R1 could mark a turning point in the push to bring humanoid robots into everyday life. Could robots like this really end up in classrooms, clinics, or even homes someday? If humanoid robots become affordable, how comfortable would you be sharing your space with one? Let us know by writing to us at Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy ReportGet my best tech tips, urgent security alerts, and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you'll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide - free when you join my Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
Fast Company
an hour ago
- Fast Company
Chinese EV company BYD is seeing surging European sales—while Tesla continues to tank
On August 5, new automotive industry data revealed how EV brands are faring in the U.K. and Germany, and the update marks yet another chapter in the saga of Tesla's terrible, horrible, no good, very bad year. According to the reports, Tesla's European sales slumped in July, as sales of its top competitor, the Chinese company BYD, shot up. This isn't exactly a new story: Since the beginning of the year, Tesla's European sales have been trending on a sharp downward decline, while BYD has made major headway in expanding through global markets. As this pattern continues to play out, the data points to the possibility that BYD is on a fast track to overtake Tesla at the top of the EV market. Tesla continues to stumble in the U.K. and Germany According to data from the U.K.'s Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), Tesla's new car sales in the U.K. dropped by nearly 60% to 987 units in July, down from 2,462 year-over-year. The story was much the same in Germany, where the brand's new car sales fell by around 55%, based on data from the road traffic agency KBA. Tesla's slump can't be attributed to an overall decline in the EV market, either: Total EV sales were up by 9.1% for the month in the U.K., and up 58% in Germany. BYD, on the other hand, saw massive gains in Europe this past month. In the U.K., the brand quadrupled its year-over-year sales for the month to a total of 3,184. In Germany, sales went up almost fivefold to 1,126 cars sold. At this point, Tesla is falling solidly behind BYD in the European market. By late March of this year, Tesla had already sold nearly 43% fewer cars in the region compared to the same period in 2024. In May, its sales in the U.K. and Germany plummeted to multi-year lows, allowing BYD to surpass it on European sales for the first time ever. Now, it seems like BYD's upward trajectory is only getting started. BYD may be on a path to EV market domination Tesla and BYD's battle for market dominance in Europe might be a harbinger of what's to come for the two brands on a global scale. In 2024, BYD topped Tesla in terms of total revenue, but it still lagged behind on overall profitability. In 2025, that narrative may be shifting. Per its most recent second quarter earnings report, published at the end of July, Tesla notched its steepest decline in quarterly revenue in more than a decade, with a 12% fall. The news has caused investors to question whether Tesla CEO Elon Musk's involvement in American politics has permanently damaged the brand. Meanwhile, BYD saw its revenue rise by 37.4% year-over-year in its most recent first quarter report. As pressure continues to mount against Tesla, the brand is beginning to bet more of its resources on breaking into the nascent robotaxi industry. On August 1, though, a Florida court verdict called the safety of Tesla's Autopilot function into question, a development that may stifle Tesla's robotaxi plans before they even get off the ground. Tesla's compounding struggles, combined with BYD's meteoric success, may result in a very different global EV landscape by the end of this year. BYD's second quarter results, which are likely to publish at the end of August, will shed more light onto how the company is currently faring—and how soon it might be poised to dethrone Tesla on profit.
