#Tesla beats analyst expectations through Bitcoin and stellar sales

Tesla zoomed past analyst expectations in its quarterly results thanks to record-breaking car sales and Bitcoin trading. The company posted its earnings last night that noted $10.4 billion in revenue for Q1 2020 — matching the analyst expectations.

Despite the global chip shortage, Tesla delivered a record-breaking 184,877 cars in the quarter, beating the mark of 180,570 set in Q4 2020. This number was also much higher than the analyst expectation of  177,822 vehicle deliveries. 

The firm also edged past Wall Street predictions of earnings per share (EPS) of $0.86 by registering $0.93 EPS in its balance sheet. While the company’s share prices were up by 1.21% at the close, it dipped 2% in after-hours trading.

Elon Musk and Tesla’s faith in digital assets also paid off. In January, the company announced that it had invested $1.5 billion in Bitcoin. The firm’s chief financial officer, Zachary Kirkhorn, said Bitcoin trading helped it earn $272 million — with $101 million in “positive impact”.

Musk tweeted that this trade accounted for 10% of the carmaker’s digital asset holdings. But he hasn’t sold any from his personal wallet.

No, you do not. I have not sold any of my Bitcoin. Tesla sold 10% of its holdings essentially to prove liquidity of Bitcoin as an alternative to holding cash on balance sheet.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 26, 2021

In May, Tesla announced that folks in the US can buy its vehicles with Bitcoins.

The company said it expects vehicle delivery to grow by 50% in 2021. In terms of product, it aims to expand the production of Model Y in its Berlin and Texas gigafactories. Plus, it wants to start deliveries of its Semi-Cargo trucks this year.