The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights Tesla, Alphabet and Baidu
For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – June 12, 2025 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: Tesla's TSLA, Alphabet GOOGL and Baidu BIDU.
Here are highlights from Wednesday's Analyst Blog:
Tesla's Robotaxi Launch Is Almost Here. Can It Really Deliver?
Tesla 's long-awaited robotaxi service is finally nearing its launch, which is tentatively set for June 22. Yesterday, CEO Elon Musk reposted a video on X showing a driverless Tesla navigating the streets of Austin, TX, sparking fresh excitement among investors. The video featured a Model Y making turns without a human driver, hinting that Tesla's robotaxi ambitions may be finally coming to life.
When asked about the launch date, Musk replied that Tesla plans to start public rides with its robotaxis on June 22. This would mark the first time Tesla offers fully self-driving rides to customers. Musk added that the first trip from the Tesla factory to a customer's house is scheduled for his birthday on June 28. However, he also cautioned that safety remains the top priority, and the timeline could still shift if needed.
The initial rollout won't be massive — at least not yet. Tesla plans to start small, with about 10-20 Model Y SUVs giving rides around Austin. For now, there will still be remote human supervision to make sure everything runs smoothly. If everything goes well, Tesla would expand to other states like California, though tougher regulations there might slow things down.
Tesla's been busy testing these cars on Austin's streets, using its latest Full Self-Driving software. The video Musk shared showed a Model Y, clearly labeled "Robotaxi," smoothly navigating an intersection on its own with no driver in sight.
Musk has bet heavily on self-driving technology as the future of Tesla. The company sees robotaxis as a potential game-changing revenue stream, especially as competition heats up in the core EV market. If Tesla can successfully pull this off, it could be a huge breakthrough for both the company and the broader autonomous driving industry. But as always with Tesla, investors may want to keep expectations in check. Challenges around safety, regulation and the complexity of full autonomy still loom large.
TSLA Still a Laggard in the Robotaxi Space
While Tesla is just about to enter the robotaxi market, some competitors like Alphabet and Baidu are already far ahead. Alphabet's Waymo has built a significant lead. Waymo is currently running commercial robotaxi services in four U.S. cities. The company offers over 250,000 paid rides per week, thanks to years of testing, experience, and strong partnerships. Alphabet has also committed to investing $5 billion in Waymo over the coming years.
Baidu's Apollo Go is another major player. In China, Baidu operates a fleet of over 400 robotaxis in cities like Wuhan. Baidu is now preparing to expand its Apollo Go service into Europe, starting with Switzerland by the end of 2025. The company is also planning a launch in Turkey, further widening its global footprint. Like Waymo, Baidu has years of operational experience that give it an early edge.
TSLA's Price Performance, Valuation and Estimates
Shares of Tesla have lost around 19% year to date compared with the industry's decline of 22%.
From a valuation standpoint, TSLA trades at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 10.02, way above the industry and its own 5-year average. It carries a Value Score of F.
Tesla stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell).
You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Why Haven't You Looked at Zacks' Top Stocks?
Since 2000, our top stock-picking strategies have blown away the S&P's +7.7% average gain per year. Amazingly, they soared with average gains of +48.4%, +50.2% and +56.7% per year.
Today you can access their live picks without cost or obligation.
See Stocks Free >>
Media Contact
Zacks Investment Research
800-767-3771 ext. 9339
support@zacks.com
https://www.zacks.com
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.
5 Stocks Set to Double
Each was handpicked by a Zacks expert as the #1 favorite stock to gain +100% or more in 2024. While not all picks can be winners, previous recommendations have soared +143.0%, +175.9%, +498.3% and +673.0%.
Most of the stocks in this report are flying under Wall Street radar, which provides a great opportunity to get in on the ground floor.
Today, See These 5 Potential Home Runs >>
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
Baidu, Inc. (BIDU): Free Stock Analysis Report
Tesla, Inc. (TSLA): Free Stock Analysis Report
Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL): Free Stock Analysis Report
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Globe and Mail
2 hours ago
- Globe and Mail
Warren Buffett Says to Buy This Vanguard ETF. It Could Turn $1,000 Per Month Into $245,000 in 10 Years.
Top fund managers consistently select individual stocks to build high-performing portfolios. While individual investors often believe they can do the same, and some actually might, the vast majority of people aren't as skilled at stock selection. Here's where the recommendation of Warren Buffett comes into play. The Oracle of Omaha suggests the right course of action for most people is to simply invest their money in a low-cost index fund, particularly one that tracks the performance of the broad market S&P 500 index. One exchange-traded fund (ETF) of this type that comes to mind is the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (NYSEMKT: VOO). Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now. Learn More » Investors who choose this path and follow it consistently put themselves in a position to be rewarded over time. For example, investing just $1,000 per month in this ETF could result in a portfolio balance of $245,000 in 10 years. Here's what you need to know. Using history as a guide to the future In the past decade, the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF has produced a total return of 244%, with dividends reinvested. That's a fantastic outcome, likely buoyed by huge capital inflows into passive investment options over active strategies, generally solid economic growth, and the rise of several dominant tech enterprises. That trailing 10-year gain puts its compound annual growth rate at about 13% -- well ahead of the market's long-run average of 10% annually. For the sake of this article, let's assume that the next 10 years will resemble the last decade when it comes to returns. Of course, nothing is guaranteed, and the future is inherently unpredictable. But if you invest $1,000 per month between now and 2035 (for a total of 120 investments), you'd have around $245,000 in a decade. This is the power of dollar-cost averaging. You might think that to succeed as an investor, you have to make decisions like a pro and try to correctly time the market. The intention of buying low, selling high, and repeating the process sounds good in theory. However, it's virtually impossible to do well on a consistent basis. That's why a dollar-cost averaging approach makes the most sense: If you add more money to your portfolio consistently at regular intervals, you can be assured that you're taking advantage of the inevitable ups and downs of the market. Other benefits of this winning strategy Knowing that $1,000 per month can end up becoming $245,000 should be enough to get any investor excited about putting money to work in the stock market. There are other clear benefits to adopting this no-brainer strategy. For one, there's a strong chance the portfolio will beat a majority of the experts. Data shows that the performances of most actively managed funds lag the S&P 500 over long stretches of time. This doesn't prevent fund managers from charging high fees that further eat away at the returns of their investors. The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF, on the other hand, has an expense ratio of just 0.03%. That's a charge of $3 a year for every $10,000 a person has invested in the fund. That's hard to beat. Another benefit is that this is a hassle-free approach. Investors don't need fancy degrees or certifications, expert financial analysis skills, or hours of free time every week to listen to earnings calls. Putting money into the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF on a monthly basis is essentially an automatic investment allocation. It couldn't be simpler. It instantly provides investors with broad diversification into 500 of the largest U.S. companies. The ETF has exposure to all sectors, from technology and financial services businesses to energy and utilities. It's a bet on the growth of the American economy and on the premise that it will continue doing what it has always done. This seems like a smart bet to make. Buying $1,000 worth of the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF every month should put you on the path to building your wealth in the next decade and beyond. Should you invest $1,000 in Vanguard S&P 500 ETF right now? Before you buy stock in Vanguard S&P 500 ETF, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $653,702!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $870,207!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor 's total average return is988% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to172%for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of June 9, 2025
Globe and Mail
3 hours ago
- Globe and Mail
Foxconn Exports 97% of India-Made iPhones to U.S. to Avert China Tariffs
Apple's (AAPL) largest supplier Foxconn has ramped up exports of India-made iPhones to the U.S. to avoid the hefty tariffs on Chinese goods. According to a Reuters report citing official customs data, an average of 97% of iPhones produced in India were shipped to the U.S. between March and May. The data shows a stark jump in exports of Indian iPhones compared to the 50% monthly average recorded in 2024. India faces a baseline 10% tariff, while Trump has proposed a revised 55% tariff on Chinese imports following the U.S.-China trade deal. Confident Investing Starts Here: China has been the primary manufacturing hub for iPhones, with roughly 80% of U.S.-bound iPhones amounting to about 60 million units annually, originating from the mainland. The sharp redirection of orders to India highlights Apple's determination in skirting the hefty tariffs imposed by the U.S. government on Chinese goods. President Donald Trump aims to bolster America's manufacturing industries by implementing these tariffs, but large corporations are clearly finding alternative solutions to circumvent them. China Strengthens Its Strategy on India-Made iPhones Apple has manufacturing bases in several countries, including the Netherlands, Britain, and the Czech Republic. However, the company has recently grown increasingly dependent on India's manufacturing expertise. Despite several warnings from Trump to stop producing iPhones in India, CEO Tim Cook seems to be happily ignoring them. The company is said to have made special arrangements at the Chennai airport in Tamil Nadu state, its key iPhone export hub, to shorten customs clearance time from 30 hours to just six hours. Between March and May 2025, Foxconn exported iPhones worth $3.2 billion from India, with a majority destined for the U.S. market. In May alone, India exported $1 billion worth of iPhones to the U.S., following a record $1.3 billion in March. Notably, in the first five months of this year, Foxconn has already shipped India-made iPhones worth $4.4 billion to the U.S., compared to exports of $3.7 billion for the whole of 2024. In March, Apple sent six special chartered flights from India to the U.S., exporting the bulk of iPhones 13, 14, 16 and 16e models worth roughly $2 billion, just before Trump's global tariffs were expected to take effect. Apple's other Indian supplier, Tata Electronics, also exported 86% of its March and April iPhone production to the U.S., a significant increase from the 52% average recorded last year. Although India is promoting itself as a smartphone manufacturing hub, it still incurs high import duties on certain components, making manufacturing more expensive in India compared to Vietnam and Mexico. Is Apple a Good Stock to Buy Now? Analysts remain divided on Apple's long-term stock trajectory due to ongoing tariff-related uncertainty. On TipRanks, AAPL stock has a Moderate Buy consensus rating based on 16 Buys, nine Holds, and four Sell ratings. Also, the average Apple price target of $226.94 implies 13.9% upside potential from current levels. Year-to-date, AAPL stock has lost 20.3%. See more AAPL analyst ratings
Globe and Mail
3 hours ago
- Globe and Mail
These Were the 2 Worst-Performing Stocks in the Dow Jones Industrial Average in May 2025
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJINDICES: ^DJI) index edged 3.9% higher in May, with 70% of its 30 constituent stocks ending the month in positive territory. However, the two worst-performing Dow stocks in May -- both from the healthcare sector -- kept the index's rally in check, with one of them plunging over 25%. Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now. Learn More » 1. UnitedHealth Group Shares of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) crashed 26.6% in May after multiple negative developments sent shockwaves through the investing community. In mid-May, UnitedHealth suddenly replaced its CEO, Andrew Witty, with former CEO Stephen J. Hemsley with immediate effect and suspended its earnings outlook for the full year because of a surge in medical costs. In between, The Wall Street Journal reported a criminal investigation against UnitedHealth by the Department of Justice for a "possible medicare fraud." Days later, The Guardian released a scathing report alleging UnitedHealth put patients' health at risk by paying secret bonuses to nursing homes to cut hospital transfers. For now, UnitedHealth expects to "return to growth" in 2026 and has sued The Guardian for defamation. Regaining investor confidence, however, may not be easy. The stock is down 38% so far this year, as of this writing. 2. Merck Merck (NYSE: MRK) stock lost 9.8% in May and plunged to its 52-week low of $73.31 a share after President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing drugmakers in the U.S. to cut the prices of prescription drugs. This comes at a time when Merck already expects tariffs to add $200 million to its costs this year. Investors are also worried about Merck's future once its blockbuster oncology drug Keytruda loses patent exclusivity. In mid-May, analysts at Citi slashed Merck stock's price target to $84 per share from $115 per share citing the pharmaceutical company's growth challenges and a "lack of urgency" to develop a business that could soften the impact of a potential loss of up to 20% of sales for Keytruda once its patent expires. Merck, however, has a strong pipeline, remains committed to dividend growth, and yields 3.9%. Should you invest $1,000 in UnitedHealth Group right now? Before you buy stock in UnitedHealth Group, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and UnitedHealth Group wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $655,255!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $888,780!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor 's total average return is999% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to174%for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of June 9, 2025
