Tesla

Both Tesla Inc (TSLA) and NIO Inc (NIO) had reports of vehicles fires in Shanghai and Xi’an China which is highlighting safety fears over electric vehicles and the use of high density lithium batteries. TSLA is down -3.6% over the past two days while NIO is up slightly, +0.84%.

Tesla Inc (TSLA) is down 8.44% in mid-morning trading as car deliveries fell to 63,000 vehicles, down 27,966 vehicles,  down 31%, from their fourth quarter number.

Tesla short interest is $9.04 billion; 30.99 million shares shorted; 24.49% of float; stock borrow cost is 0.30% fee.

We’re seeing increased short selling in the other Electric Vehicle manufacturer, NIO Inc (NIO) today.

NIO short interest is $420 mm; 84.40 mm shares shorted; 10.97% of float; 1.65% borrow fee.

Shares shorted are up 40.9 mm shares,+94%, in 2019 and up 24.8 mm shs,+41.7% in March and we are seeing continued short selling today, over one million additional shares shorted in morning trading.

We’re seeing increased short selling in Tesla today, continuing a trend for the last week in which shares shorted increased by 1.12 million shares, +4.35%. Tesla’s stock price is down -11.80% over the last week.

Tesla Inc (TSLA) stock is down 7% this morning on a slew of new initiatives put out by CEO Elon Musk including a $35,000 Model 3 and closing most of its 100+ dealerships and selling cars solely online. But the most important line in the conference call may have been Musk stating that “we do not expect to be profitable in Q1 ….. profitability in Q2 is likely.”

Tesla short interest is $7.28 billion; 24.47 million shares short; 19.48% of its float; stock borrow cost is 30 bp fee (general collateral.)

Tesla is reporting earnings tonight and although shorts have covered 847k of their exposure over the last week, short side trading over the last several days have been relatively quiet with just 240k of short covering since Monday. It looks like short sellers are standing pat at the moment and not increasing or decreasing their exposure before tonight’s news.

TSLA short interest is $7.53 billion, 24.9 million shares shorted, 19.9% of the float. Shorts up $1.12 billion in mark-to-market profits today on Tesla‘s 13% price drop, and are now up $783 million for the year.

NIO Inc (NIO US) short interest is 41.3 million shares short, 5.37% of shares outstanding and $317.98 million at risk wagering on a stock price decline.

Referred to as the “Tesla of China”, the Shanghai-based company manufactures and sells autos, offering electric vehicles, parts, and battery charging services.

Tesla (TSLA US) short interest is $9.55 billion, with 27.78 million shares shorted for 21.61% of float. Stock borrow rate is G.C. (General Collateral – the cheapest stock borrow rate for the easiest to borrow stocks.)

Tesla short interest is at $10.92 billion, with 31.38 million shares shorted for 24.40% of its float.

Tesla continues to be the most shorted U.S. equity, ahead of AMZN ($8.41 billion), AAPL ($8.40 billion) and QCOM ($6.91 billion.)