Stock Market Today, April 23: Tesla Falls After Lifting 2026 Capex Guidance for AI and Robotics
Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA), which designs and manufactures electric vehicles and energy storage products, closed Thursday at $373.60, down 3.59%. The stock declined as investors reacted to Q1 2026 earnings, higher long-term capex plans for AI and robotics, and mixed analyst commentary, while watching execution on robotaxi and autonomy timelines. Trading volume reached 93.1 million shares, about 47% above its three-month average of 63.5 million shares. Tesla IPO'd in 2010 and has grown 23,397% since going public.
How the markets moved today
The S&P 500 (SNPINDEX:^GSPC) slipped 0.42% to 7,108, while the Nasdaq Composite (NASDAQINDEX:^IXIC) fell 0.89% to 24,439. Within automobile manufacturing, industry peers Ford Motor Company closed at $12.48 (-1.19%) and General Motors finished at $78.52 (-0.61%) as investors weighed EV demand and new model competition.
What this means for investors
Tesla reported earnings yesterday afternoon that snuck past analysts’ expectations. Despite this -- and Tesla’s sales growing 16% -- the stock dipped today as the market fretted over the company’s plans to spend $25 billion this year on capex. While this hesitancy is reasonable -- especially considering Tesla trades at 89 times cash from operations and is shifting its operations from EVs to Cybercabs, robots, and energy storage in full force -- the company still offers investors immense growth optionality.
CEO Elon Musk believes its Cybercab and Semi-Truck production will start in 2026 (fool me once…) and grow “exponentially” in 2027. Meanwhile, its energy unit hit record-high margins, and its full self-driving systems may surpass human safety metrics by 2027.
Don’t miss this second chance at a potentially lucrative opportunity
Ever feel like you missed the boat in buying the most successful stocks? Then you’ll want to hear this.
On rare occasions, our expert team of analysts issues a “Double Down” stock recommendation for companies that they think are about to pop. If you’re worried you’ve already missed your chance to invest, now is the best time to buy before it’s too late. And the numbers speak for themselves:
- Nvidia: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2009, you’d have $525,258!*
- Apple: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2008, you’d have $52,016!*
- Netflix: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2004, you’d have $502,837!*
Right now, we’re issuing “Double Down” alerts for three incredible companies, available when you join Stock Advisor, and there may not be another chance like this anytime soon.
See the 3 stocks »
*Stock Advisor returns as of April 23, 2026.
Josh Kohn-Lindquist has positions in Tesla. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Tesla. The Motley Fool recommends General Motors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Recommended Articles
