No Result
View All Result
SUBMIT YOUR ARTICLES
  • Login
Thursday, October 23, 2025
TheAdviserMagazine.com
  • Home
  • Financial Planning
    • Financial Planning
    • Personal Finance
  • Market Research
    • Business
    • Investing
    • Money
    • Economy
    • Markets
    • Stocks
    • Trading
  • 401k Plans
  • College
  • IRS & Taxes
  • Estate Plans
  • Social Security
  • Medicare
  • Legal
  • Home
  • Financial Planning
    • Financial Planning
    • Personal Finance
  • Market Research
    • Business
    • Investing
    • Money
    • Economy
    • Markets
    • Stocks
    • Trading
  • 401k Plans
  • College
  • IRS & Taxes
  • Estate Plans
  • Social Security
  • Medicare
  • Legal
No Result
View All Result
TheAdviserMagazine.com
No Result
View All Result
Home Market Research Business

Elon Musk wants more control of Tesla so activist investors can’t boot him—but not so much the board can’t fire him if he goes ‘crazy’

by TheAdviserMagazine
3 months ago
in Business
Reading Time: 4 mins read
A A
Elon Musk wants more control of Tesla so activist investors can’t boot him—but not so much the board can’t fire him if he goes ‘crazy’
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on LInkedIn



Tesla CEO Elon Musk just confessed that he thinks his 13% ownership stake in the electric vehicle manufacturer leaves him vulnerable to activist shareholders who could move to oust him from the $1 trillion company. Still, he admitted he shouldn’t have so much control over Tesla that the board can’t fire him if he goes “crazy,” he said during an earnings call on Wednesday. 

“It is a big deal—I don’t want to find I have so little control I can be easily ousted by activist shareholders,” Musk said. “That is a major concern to me as I’ve mentioned in the past and I hope that is addressed at the upcoming shareholders meeting.”

I am uncomfortable growing Tesla to be a leader in AI & robotics without having ~25% voting control. Enough to be influential, but not so much that I can’t be overturned.

Unless that is the case, I would prefer to build products outside of Tesla. You don’t seem to understand…— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 15, 2024

Musk owns 13% of Tesla, a stake currently valued around $139 billion. He has previously stated he wants to own 25% of the electric vehicle manufacturer as it further expands into AI with unassisted Full Self Driving and robotics. Such a stake would be worth about $267.5 billion and would eclipse holdings by large institutional investors in Tesla such as Vanguard and Blackrock. Musk has worried in the past about the influence of activist investors or proxy advisory firms steering Tesla down the wrong long-term path at the expense of short-term pressures. 

However, Tesla currently maintains a defensive position against activists. Its bylaws call for what is termed a supermajority vote requirement, meaning shareholder votes must achieve support from two thirds of all outstanding shares (66.67%) rather than a simple 50% majority in order to pass. The board committed last year to Tesla shareholders that it would eliminate the supermajority vote requirement, but it hasn’t been able to muster enough investor participation. 

Tesla amended its bylaws in 2023 to provide shareholders with proxy access rights, meaning a shareholder or group of shareholders owning 3% or more of Tesla for at least three years can nominate directors to Tesla’s board. A stake that size would be valued at more than $20 billion. Securities and Exchange Commission rules require activist investors to disclose their stakes in company stock once they reach 5%, which is also the point where an activist can typically gain credibility with the board. A 5% stake in Tesla is worth more than $30 billion. In comparison, legendary activist investor Nelson Peltz took on the Walt Disney board after building a stake valued at about $3.5 billion at its peak. Activist investors often typically target small-cap publicly traded companies. 

Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 

Musk shared his view on his ownership stake in response to an analyst’s question about how comfortable the CEO was in evolving Tesla in new directions with only the 13% stake. Musk pointed the annual shareholder meeting, which will be held November 6, as a potential issue to get aired out then. 

“I think that, as I’ve mentioned before, I think my control over Tesla should be enough to ensure that it goes in a good direction, but not so much control that I can’t be thrown out if I go crazy,” he said. 

Musk has been working without a base salary or annual bonus for years, after the Tesla board granted him a moonshot pay package once valued as high as $56 billion—the highest for a publicly traded CEO. However, that pay package was twice rescinded by a judge and Tesla has announced it formed a board committee to hash out next steps. With the delay in Tesla’s annual shareholder meeting, the company has not yet published a proxy report to shareholders, which typically includes executive compensation disclosures. 

Tesla reported mixed results in its second quarter financials on Wednesday. Revenue declined 12% year-over-year to $22.5 billion, its worst revenue performance in the past decade. Operating income dropped 42% year-over-year to under $1 billion, although Tesla was still profitable with $1.2 billion in GAAP net income. Meanwhile, free cash flow cratered 89% year-over-year to $146 million, compared to $1.3 billion during the same quarter last year. 

Deliveries were down 13% to 384,122, although there were some major developments noted. 

Tesla launched its much-ballyhooed Robotaxi pilot in Austin, and it boosted its AI training capacity. Separately, Tesla opened a new diner and drive-in theater at a mega charging station in Hollywood this week. 

Tesla executives did not address speculation about a Tesla investment in Musk’s xAI, nor did they address questions from retail investors about Musk’s involvement in politics and its impact on Tesla’s value.

Retail investors post questions on an open platform for Tesla shareholders called Say in advance of the earnings releases. Many related to Musk had to do with his compensation and the board’s plan to oversee Musk’s future political moves. 

“Elon the person has freedom of speech,” wrote one shareholder representing 47,000 shares. “The brand ambassador of Tesla does not. What is the board doing to distance Tesla from the private actions of its CEO?”



Source link

Tags: activistboardBootControlcrazyElonFIREhimbutinvestorsMuskTesla
ShareTweetShare
Previous Post

Where to Go Next? Try a Second City

Next Post

Elon Musk says Tesla will start adding vehicles it doesn’t own into its robotaxi network next year

Related Posts

edit post
Goldman aims for ‘PE returns’ with new ETF

Goldman aims for ‘PE returns’ with new ETF

by TheAdviserMagazine
October 23, 2025
0

Goldman Sachs Asset Management is teaming up with MSCI Inc. to launch an exchange-traded fund that aims to deliver returns...

edit post
Tesla’s weak earnings show how the ‘Musk Magic’ Premium is inflating its share price

Tesla’s weak earnings show how the ‘Musk Magic’ Premium is inflating its share price

by TheAdviserMagazine
October 23, 2025
0

Over the past year, on the day after Tesla unveils its latest quarterly report, this writer has calculated a metric...

edit post
Former BLS chief warns Powell is “flying blind” at a pivotal time for the Fed

Former BLS chief warns Powell is “flying blind” at a pivotal time for the Fed

by TheAdviserMagazine
October 23, 2025
0

The Federal Reserve faces an unprecedented challenge as it prepares to set interest rates next week—making its decision with almost no...

edit post
One Nation, One Workforce: Govt plans integrated system to ensure social-security portability for all workers

One Nation, One Workforce: Govt plans integrated system to ensure social-security portability for all workers

by TheAdviserMagazine
October 23, 2025
0

New Delhi: The ministry of labour and employment plans to build a unified One Nation Integrated Workforce Architecture that will...

edit post
NYC mayoral candidates turn on each other in final debate: ‘Zohran, your resume could fit on a cocktail napkin. And, Andrew, your failures could fill a public school library in New York City’

NYC mayoral candidates turn on each other in final debate: ‘Zohran, your resume could fit on a cocktail napkin. And, Andrew, your failures could fill a public school library in New York City’

by TheAdviserMagazine
October 23, 2025
0

 Zohran Mamdani was attacked over his thin resume, Republican Curtis Sliwa strove to prove his seriousness as a candidate and...

edit post
Corporate debt surge: Commercial paper issuances hit highest since April

Corporate debt surge: Commercial paper issuances hit highest since April

by TheAdviserMagazine
October 23, 2025
0

Indian companies increased their reliance on the debt money market for their short-term working capital needs with the issuance value...

Next Post
edit post
Elon Musk says Tesla will start adding vehicles it doesn’t own into its robotaxi network next year

Elon Musk says Tesla will start adding vehicles it doesn’t own into its robotaxi network next year

edit post
PUMP crashes over 50% post-ICO as founder says airdrop not coming soon

PUMP crashes over 50% post-ICO as founder says airdrop not coming soon

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
edit post
77-year-old popular furniture retailer closes store locations

77-year-old popular furniture retailer closes store locations

October 18, 2025
edit post
Pennsylvania House of Representatives Rejects Update to Child Custody Laws

Pennsylvania House of Representatives Rejects Update to Child Custody Laws

October 7, 2025
edit post
What to Do When a Loved One Dies in North Carolina

What to Do When a Loved One Dies in North Carolina

October 8, 2025
edit post
Probate vs. Non-Probate Assets: What’s the Difference?

Probate vs. Non-Probate Assets: What’s the Difference?

October 17, 2025
edit post
California Attorney Pleads Guilty For Role In 2M Ponzi Scheme

California Attorney Pleads Guilty For Role In $912M Ponzi Scheme

October 15, 2025
edit post
Baby Boomers Are Flocking to This Florida Town — but Not for the Weather

Baby Boomers Are Flocking to This Florida Town — but Not for the Weather

October 9, 2025
edit post
Goldman aims for ‘PE returns’ with new ETF

Goldman aims for ‘PE returns’ with new ETF

0
edit post
INTC Earnings: Intel swings to profit in Q3 FY25; revenue up 3%

INTC Earnings: Intel swings to profit in Q3 FY25; revenue up 3%

0
edit post
Former BLS chief warns Powell is “flying blind” at a pivotal time for the Fed

Former BLS chief warns Powell is “flying blind” at a pivotal time for the Fed

0
edit post
From Hedge to Test Case: Gold’s Volatility and the Limits of Safety

From Hedge to Test Case: Gold’s Volatility and the Limits of Safety

0
edit post
The Myth of Planned Obsolescence

The Myth of Planned Obsolescence

0
edit post
Kraken Posts Record Revenue in Q3 Amid Expansion, IPO Buzz

Kraken Posts Record Revenue in Q3 Amid Expansion, IPO Buzz

0
edit post
Goldman aims for ‘PE returns’ with new ETF

Goldman aims for ‘PE returns’ with new ETF

October 23, 2025
edit post
How advisors are using AI without explicit SEC guidance

How advisors are using AI without explicit SEC guidance

October 23, 2025
edit post
Kraken Posts Record Revenue in Q3 Amid Expansion, IPO Buzz

Kraken Posts Record Revenue in Q3 Amid Expansion, IPO Buzz

October 23, 2025
edit post
How Some Retirees Are Finding Happiness Again After Age 60

How Some Retirees Are Finding Happiness Again After Age 60

October 23, 2025
edit post
INTC Earnings: Intel swings to profit in Q3 FY25; revenue up 3%

INTC Earnings: Intel swings to profit in Q3 FY25; revenue up 3%

October 23, 2025
edit post
Chicken Fried Rice ( Family Dinner Idea)

Chicken Fried Rice ($10 Family Dinner Idea)

October 23, 2025
The Adviser Magazine

The first and only national digital and print magazine that connects individuals, families, and businesses to Fee-Only financial advisers, accountants, attorneys and college guidance counselors.

CATEGORIES

  • 401k Plans
  • Business
  • College
  • Cryptocurrency
  • Economy
  • Estate Plans
  • Financial Planning
  • Investing
  • IRS & Taxes
  • Legal
  • Market Analysis
  • Markets
  • Medicare
  • Money
  • Personal Finance
  • Social Security
  • Startups
  • Stock Market
  • Trading

LATEST UPDATES

  • Goldman aims for ‘PE returns’ with new ETF
  • How advisors are using AI without explicit SEC guidance
  • Kraken Posts Record Revenue in Q3 Amid Expansion, IPO Buzz
  • Our Great Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use, Legal Notices & Disclosures
  • Contact us
  • About Us

© Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved
See articles for original source and related links to external sites.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Financial Planning
    • Financial Planning
    • Personal Finance
  • Market Research
    • Business
    • Investing
    • Money
    • Economy
    • Markets
    • Stocks
    • Trading
  • 401k Plans
  • College
  • IRS & Taxes
  • Estate Plans
  • Social Security
  • Medicare
  • Legal

© Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved
See articles for original source and related links to external sites.