- Tesla Q3 boom, profit miss: Tesla posted record third-quarter revenue (~$28.1B) and deliveries (~497,000 EVs) as buyers rushed to lock in expiring $7,500 U.S. tax credits [1] [2]. But higher costs (tariffs, R&D) and fading carbon-credit income squeezed profits: Tesla reported $0.50 EPS versus about $0.55 expected [3] [4].
- Stock reaction: Tesla shares briefly jumped into the mid-$450s in early October on delivery news and a teaser for a cheaper Model Y [5]. After the Q3 results, the stock dipped ~4% in after-hours trading on Oct. 22 amid margin concerns [6] [7].
- Tesla analysts split: Wall Street is divided on TSLA. For example, Truist raised its target to $406 (Hold rating, implying ~7.5% downside from the last close) [8]. Bulls like Wedbush see targets near $600, while skeptics (e.g. BNP Paribas) cite fair values around $300–$400 [9] [10]. A consensus 12-month target is only about $365 [11], reflecting caution that Tesla’s sky-high valuation “already reflects ‘perfection’” [12].
- Nokia earnings beat: Nokia’s Q3 results topped forecasts – sales rose ~12% to €4.83 billion and adjusted operating profit hit €435 million [13]. Strong demand for its optical networking gear and cloud services (AI/data-center related) helped fuel growth [14]. CEO Justin Hotard noted that AI-driven network demand “continues to accelerate” and likened today’s AI boom to the 1990s internet surge [15] [16].
- 5G contract wins: Nokia’s stock has rallied sharply (up ~14% in early Oct and ~21% in the past month [17]) on news of major 5G deals. Customers include Vodafone/Vodacom (expanded Europe/Africa partnership), the UK’s new Vodafone–Three 5G rollout (a £2 billion contract split with Ericsson), Japan’s Rakuten Mobile (green 5G network), and Finnish carrier Elisa (energy-saving core network upgrade) [18].
- Nokia analysts’ view: Most analysts are cautiously positive on NOK. The consensus is “Moderate Buy” with ~12-month targets in the mid-$5 range [19]. At current ~$6 levels, Street forecasts imply only modest 2025 EPS growth (~€0.34), so upside is seen as limited [20]. Nokia’s ~2–3% dividend and clean balance sheet (debt/equity ~0.2) provide a cushion, but industry headwinds (flat global telco spending, stiff competition from Ericsson and Huawei alternatives) suggest gains may be gradual [21] [22].
- Stock prices today: As of Oct. 23 close, Tesla (TSLA) shares were about $449 and Nokia ADR (NOK) about $6.17 [23] [24]. Broader trends will be key: expiring EV subsidies and rising production costs may cool Tesla demand [25], while continued 5G rollouts, AI network upgrades and even higher defense/tech budgets (NATO aims for 5% of GDP) could support Nokia [26].
Tesla (TSLA): Record Deliveries and Profit Squeeze
Tesla’s third-quarter report (Oct 22) was a tale of two stories. Sales and deliveries hit new highs — revenue topped $28.1 billion, beating analysts’ ~$26.4B estimate [27], and nearly 497,000 vehicles were delivered (a 7% YoY jump). Much of this was a Sept. surge as U.S. buyers scrambled to get the $7,500 tax credit before it expired [28] [29]. CEO Elon Musk also rolled out new “Standard” (low-cost) Model 3/Y variants with ~$5K lower prices, aiming to lock in more volume [30].
However, earnings disappointed. Tesla’s GAAP profit missed forecasts for the fourth straight quarter, squeezed by a 44% plunge in lucrative regulatory-credit revenue and a 50% jump in operating expenses (R&D, stock compensation, etc.) [31] [32]. CFO Vaibhav Taneja revealed that Trump-era tariffs cost Tesla over $400 million in Q3 [33]. On the conference call he hinted 2026 capex would rise as Tesla pours money into new products (humanoid robot, Cybertruck, etc.) [34].
The market’s reaction was mixed. Tesla stock jumped in early October (up ~5% on Oct 6 to ~$453) on the delivery record and hints of an affordable new Model Y [35]. But on Oct 22 the shares fell ~4.4% after-hours [36]. Analysts warned of near-term margin pressure: eToro’s Farhan Badami noted “higher operating expenses, increased tariffs and lower regulatory credit revenue all hit at once,” calling the margin squeeze the “real concern” [37]. Others pointed out Tesla’s lofty 250× forward P/E (far above other automakers) means any misstep could hurt.
Nokia (NOK): 5G Deals and AI-Boosted Growth
Nokia’s Q3 report (Oct 23) was a positive surprise. Sales climbed 12% to €4.83 billion, topping forecasts [38], and adjusted operating profit (comparable basis) was €435M vs. ~€342M expected [39]. Key drivers were optical networking and cloud/data-center products – areas where AI demand is strong. In fact, Nokia said AI and cloud customers accounted for ~6% of its sales [40]. CEO Justin Hotard (a former Intel AI chief) enthused that “we’re at the front end of an AI supercycle” and that AI-related demand is “very favourable” [41] [42]. Nokia is integrating AI into its 5G gear (licensing HPE’s AI RAN software) and beefing up optical networking via its Infinera acquisition, positioning itself to ride the AI/data boom.
The stock has rallied sharply on these positives. Even before earnings, Nokia shares (NYSE:NOK) jumped ~14% in early October, reaching a 52-week high near $5.49 [43]. On Oct 23 the stock jumped another ~10% in early trading (to about €5.20) on the earnings beat [44]. Investors have cheered a string of 5G contracts: expanding its Vodafone/Vodacom 5G rollout, winning a £2 billion UK upgrade deal (post-Vodafone/Three merger), a “green” 5G contract with Japan’s Rakuten, and an energy-saving network upgrade with Finland’s Elisa [45]. All this bolsters Nokia’s growth story.
Still, risks remain. Nokia has lost some ground in North America (Ericsson just won a big AT&T contract), and its competitors and customers face mixed signals. Ericsson posted “blowout” results (sending its stock +13% on Oct.14 [46]), and China is reportedly imposing tighter security rules on Western network gear [47]. Global carrier spending is only steady-to-flat, so Nokia must execute well.
Analyst Forecasts and Outlook
Tesla outlook: Wall Street is deeply split on TSLA. Bulls highlight the delivery momentum and Tesla’s forays into self-driving, robotics and energy. Morgan Stanley, Wedbush and others have reiterated buy or overweight ratings (with targets from ~$410 up to $600+) based on Tesla’s growth potential [48] [49]. But many analysts remain cautious. The average 12-month target is only about $360–$370 [50], implying limited upside. As one analyst put it, bears argue Tesla’s stock already prices in perfection [51]. With margins under pressure, some say don’t expect a big bounce just from Q3 results.
In the short term, Tesla may see continued volatility. The tax-credit-driven sales boost is unlikely to repeat, so deliveries may soften in Q4 and beyond [52]. Musk’s team is pushing cheaper car variants to offset this – trading some profit margin for volume, as analysts noted (“trade short-term margin for long-term scale” [53]). Any disappointment on Model Y demand or rising costs could hold the stock back. Traders will be watching upcoming news (e.g. Cybertruck/Tesla bot progress, production guidance) for new catalysts.
In the mid-term (6–12 months), Tesla’s fate hinges on execution. If interest in EVs and autonomous tech remains strong, and if Tesla delivers on its ambitious product roadmap, bulls argue the stock could push well above current levels. Some technocrats eye very high valuations (TSLA has even been linked to targets near $900 based on future vision [54]). Others say fundamentals should matter: if electric car demand slows or if competition intensifies, Tesla could retreat toward the low-$300s. For now, consensus is modest upside – few analysts see TSLA doubling next year absent a big surprise.
Nokia outlook: Analysts are broadly more upbeat on Nokia’s trajectory. Most rate NOK a Buy (MarketBeat shows 5 Buys vs 1 Hold) with 12-month targets in the $5.30–$5.50 range [55]. These targets are near current prices (~$6), reflecting expectations of gradual growth. If Nokia hits its own forecasts (operating profit €1.7–2.2B for 2025 after the slight upgrade [56]) and secures more contracts, the stock could stay elevated. Its nearly 3% dividend and strong cash flow make it attractive to income-oriented investors, even as growth paces steady.
In the short term, profit-taking or consolidation around $5.40–$5.60 seems likely after the big October run-up [57]. Unless more big contract news emerges, traders may wait for Nokia to prove it can meet its guidance. Longer-term, the new CEO’s AI and defense push could pay off. Hotard has bet Nokia’s best days are ahead if AI/data-center investments sustain. But many call NOK a “show-me” stock: its recent guidance cuts remind investors that growth may lag until late 2025 [58]. If Nokia can prove that its 5G and AI moves translate into stronger earnings in 2026, the stock may finally break above the mid-$5s consensus targets.
Industry backdrop: Both stories play off broader trends. For Tesla, the EV market is in a transitional phase: U.S. incentives expired, and federal auto safety probes (e.g. on Autopilot) add uncertainty. Higher interest rates and chip costs pressure all automakers. For Nokia, the outlook rests on global 5G rollouts, rising data-center spend (AI requires more networking gear), and even geopolitical factors like telecom security and defense spending. In short, Tesla’s future hinges on scaling new technologies and global EV adoption, while Nokia’s depends on winning a share of booming telecom infrastructure and AI networking demand.
Sources: Recent Reuters and market analysis reports on Tesla and Nokia [59] [60] [61] [62], plus industry insights from TechStock² (ts2.tech) and Investing.com. All stock prices are as of Oct. 23, 2025 close [63] [64].
References
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