Breaking news

Tesla’s Troubles Deepen as Wall Street Slashes Forecasts and Stock Crashes Again

Tesla’s stock took another hit on Monday, plunging nearly 5% to $238, making it the worst-performing stock among S&P 500 companies valued over $100 billion. While the broader market continued its recovery, Tesla’s downward spiral intensified, driven by weakening sales, geopolitical risks, and declining brand perception.

Wall Street Turns On Tesla

Investment firm Mizuho cut its price target for Tesla by $85, bringing it down to $430, while slashing its 2025 vehicle delivery forecast from 2.3 million to 1.8 million—a 20% drop. The revision comes amid:

  • Plunging sales in key markets: U.S. sales fell 2%, China sales collapsed 49%, and German sales plunged 76%, even as local EV markets grew significantly.
  • Intensifying competition: Chinese automakers, buoyed by aggressive pricing and government incentives, are rapidly eroding Tesla’s dominance.
  • A fractured brand: Tesla’s reputation is suffering, particularly in Europe, where Elon Musk’s political views have alienated consumers.

Mizuho’s downgrade aligns with other Wall Street powerhouses, including Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan, and UBS, all of which have lowered their expectations for Tesla’s future performance.

A Brand In Crisis?

JPMorgan analysts issued a stark warning last week: “We can hardly find an analog in the history of the automotive industry where a brand has lost so much value in such a short period.” Tesla’s weakening brand perception in the U.S. and Europe is being compounded by Musk’s increasingly public political stance, particularly in Germany, where Tesla’s market share has collapsed.

Adding to Tesla’s challenges, the Trump administration’s aggressive tariff policies are now threatening its core business. Tesla recently urged the U.S. Trade Representative to reconsider the timeline of tariffs, warning that certain key EV components are difficult or impossible to source domestically.

The Big Picture: A Tumbling Stock, A Shrinking Fortune

Tesla’s stock has now lost 41% of its value since the start of the year, making it the second-biggest loser on the S&P 500. Despite Monday’s drop, Tesla shares are still up 7% from last week, when the company suffered its worst one-day decline in over four years—a staggering 15% plunge amid fears of economic instability.

For Elon Musk, the financial blow has been severe. While he remains the world’s richest person with a net worth of $329 billion, his fortune has shrunk by more than $130 billion since Tesla’s stock peaked at $480 per share in December.

What’s Next For Tesla?

Tesla’s future now hinges on multiple fronts—from rebuilding its brand and stabilizing global sales to navigating an increasingly hostile regulatory and economic environment. With Wall Street turning bearish, competition heating up, and Musk’s political entanglements adding uncertainty, Tesla’s next moves could determine whether this is a temporary setback or the start of a long-term decline.

Strained Household Finances: Eurostat Data Reveals Persistent Payment Delays Across Europe and in Cyprus

Improved Financial Resilience Amid Ongoing Strains

Over the past decade, Cypriot households have significantly increased their ability to manage debts—not only bank loans but also rent and utility bills. However, recent Eurostat data indicates that Cyprus continues to lag behind the European average when it comes to covering financial obligations on time.

Household Coping Strategies and the Limits of Payment Flexibility

While many families are managing their fixed expenses with relative ease, one in three Cypriots struggles to cover unexpected costs. This delicate balancing act highlights how routine payments such as mortgage installments, rent, and utility bills are met, but precariously so, with little room for unplanned financial shocks.

Breaking Down Payment Delays Across the European Union

Eurostat reports that nearly 9.2% of the EU population experienced delays with their housing loans, rent, utility bills, or installment payments in 2024. The situation is more acute among vulnerable groups: 17.2% of individuals in single-parent households with dependent children and 16.6% in households with two adults managing three or more dependents faced payment delays. In every EU nation, single-parent households exhibited higher delay rates compared to the overall population.

Cyprus in the Crosshairs: High Rates of Financial Delays

Although Cyprus recorded a notable 19.1 percentage point improvement from 2015 to 2024 in delays related to mortgages, rent, and utility bills, the island nation still ranks among the top five countries with the highest delay rates. As of 2024, 12.5% of the Cypriot population had outstanding housing loans or rent and overdue utility bills. In contrast, Greece tops the list with 42.8%, followed by Bulgaria (18.7%), Romania (15.3%), Spain (14.2%), and other EU members. Notably, 19 out of 27 EU countries reported delay rates below 10%, with Czech Republic (3.4%) and Netherlands (3.9%) leading the pack.

Selective Improvements and Emerging Concerns

Between 2015 and 2024, the overall EU population saw a 2.6 percentage point decline in payment delays. Despite this, certain countries experienced increases: Luxembourg (+3.3 percentage points), Spain (+2.5 percentage points), and Germany (+2.0 percentage points) saw a rise in payment delays, reflecting underlying economic pressures that continue to challenge financial stability.

Economic Insecurity and the Unprepared for Emergencies

Another critical indicator explored by Eurostat is the prevalence of economic insecurity—the proportion of the population unable to handle unexpected financial expenses. In 2024, 30% of the EU population reported being unable to cover unforeseen costs, a modest improvement of 1.2 percentage points from 2023 and a significant 7.4 percentage point drop compared to a decade ago. In Cyprus, while 34.8% still report difficulty handling emergencies, this marks a drastic improvement from 2015, when the figure stood at 60.5%.

A Broader EU Perspective

Importantly, no EU country in 2024 had more than half of its population facing economic insecurity—a notable improvement from 2015, when over 50% of the population in nine countries reported such challenges. These figures underscore both progress and persistent vulnerabilities within European households, urging policymakers to consider targeted measures for enhancing financial resilience.

For further insights and detailed analysis, refer to the original reports on Philenews and Housing Loans.

The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties

Become a Speaker

Become a Speaker

Become a Partner

Subscribe for our weekly newsletter