Tesla's Wild Ride: From Election Highs to Market Slumps

Tesla's stock has taken a nosedive. It's now lower than it was before the November elections. This drop wiped out a 91% gain that happened after President Trump's victory. Tesla, led by CEO Elon Musk, is now at the center of a broader market slide. The stock plunged about 8% to $241 by mid-morning. This is the lowest it's been since November 4th, the day before the election. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite also took a hit, dropping nearly 3% and entering correction territory. This means it's down more than 10% from its recent high. A note from UBS analyst Joseph Spak added to the pressure. He predicted that Tesla's vehicle deliveries for 2025 would drop by 5%. This would be the second year in a row of negative growth, contradicting other analysts' forecasts of a 12% increase this year. Tesla's stock has lost over half its value from its all-time high in December. Back then, hopes for friendly policies from the Trump administration sent the share price soaring. Elon Musk, Tesla's biggest shareholder, has seen his net worth take a hit. It's now $134 billion less than its peak of $464 billion in December. Despite this, Musk is still the richest person on Earth, with a net worth of roughly $220 billion. Musk has been busy lately. He's been focusing on his role as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). This commission, created by Trump, is tasked with cutting costs and laying off government employees. Tesla faces significant challenges due to Trump's tariffs. China, Tesla's second-largest market, and parts from Canada, China, and Mexico are all affected. Additionally, reports of lower sales in China and Europe have weighed on the stock. Analysts warn that Musk's outspoken politics could be hurting Tesla's brand reputation.