Top 10 Stocks to Buy According to Marshall Wace LLP

5. Tesla, Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders as of Q4: 126

Marshall Wace LLP’s Equity Stake: $1.55 Billion 

Donald Trump’s public endorsement of Tesla, Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA) and praise for Elon Musk may have briefly boosted the company’s stock, but experts warn it could ultimately harm the brand. During a White House press conference, Trump called Musk a “patriot” and showcased five Teslas in the driveway, even revealing that he had purchased one himself. While this show of support helped Tesla’s stock recover after a sharp decline, analysts caution that the company is becoming increasingly tied to political symbolism. Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives noted that the company’s association with Trump and Musk’s involvement in government advisory roles, such as the DOGE spending group, could alienate consumers and investors, potentially damaging the company’s long-term market position.

Tesla, Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA) delivered mixed results in its Q4 2024 earnings report, with revenue rising 2.15% year-over-year to $25.71 billion. However, operating profit dropped by 23.3% to $1.58 billion, and earnings per share came in at $0.73, falling below analyst expectations. These figures highlight the company’s ongoing financial struggles amid increasing competition in the electric vehicle (EV) sector and production challenges.

Elon Musk’s influence in China, once strengthened by early investments and strong ties with officials, appears to be waning. His recent political remarks, including controversial statements about COVID-19, have sparked backlash on Chinese social media, prompting concerns from the China Passenger Car Association that his political stance could impact Tesla’s sales in the region. Tesla, Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA)’s stock has had a turbulent start to 2025, plummeting over 15% on March 10 and bringing its year-to-date losses to more than 40%, erasing $127 billion in market value. Meanwhile, Chinese EV makers such as BYD and Xpeng are gaining ground. Tesla’s sales in China dropped 49% year-over-year in February, partially due to production halts before a Model Y refresh, while BYD saw a 161% surge, narrowing the gap between the two companies in the race for EV market dominance.