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Tesla is known for their electric cars, as well as their eccentric CEO Elon Musk. It is also one of the most popular shares on the NASDAQ. We look at the company’s global appeal and how you can purchase Tesla shares of your own.
What is Tesla?
American company Tesla was founded in 2003 by a group of engineers who wanted to create electric vehicles that are better, quicker and more fun to drive than gasoline cars. Since then, the company has grown significantly and is now one of the largest companies on the planet (by market capitalisation). However, the company is more than a car manufacturer; they also design and produce battery energy storage from home to grid-scale, solar panels and solar roof tiles, and other related products and services.
How have Tesla stocks performed?
Tesla made it’s stock market debut in 2010 at US$3.84 and gained an impressive 2207% in its first 10 years. However, Tesla’s share price skyrocketed at the start of 2020 and in the space of less than two years the share price gained a further 1043%. On November 6, 2021, Tesla CEO, Elon Musk, tweeted that he was considering selling 10% of his share in Tesla, and that saw the shares drop by 15%. It’s not the first time that Elon Musk’s tweets have influenced markets.
How to buy Tesla shares in Australia
Tesla trades on the NASDAQ stock exchange under the stock ticker TSLA. To access Tesla shares you’ll need to find a broker that allows you to trade on the NASDAQ. There are several brokers in Australia that provide access to international shares such as Tesla. When comparing online share trading brokers you should consider the fees, functions and whether the platform is easy to use.
If your broker doesn’t currently include international shares as part of it’s offering another option is to look at ASX ETFs that invest in Tesla as part of their portfolio, some you may want to explore are: Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (VGS) and BetaShares NASDAQ 100 ETF (NDQ). These ETFs and other like it should be available through all Australian brokers. It’s a good idea when looking at ETFs to check what makes up the portfolio and how they are weighted.
Related article: How to buy US stocks in Australia
Should I invest in international shares?
There are plenty of benefits to investing overseas, including access to some of the largest companies in the world, like Tesla, and the ability to diversify your portfolio. Another advantage is the cyclical patterns of overseas markets that, at times, move in the opposite direction of the Aussie share market which can help smooth out your returns. There are a few downsides to be aware of as well, such as the currency exchange fees, the different rules and regulations, Australian tax laws, and economic and political threats.
Related article: Risks and benefits of investing overseas.
If you are thinking of investing in Tesla you should first thoroughly research the company to ensure that it aligns with your investment goals and strategy. Also, bear in mind that past performance is not an indicator of future performance.
Cover image: Photosite/Shutterstock
This content was reviewed by Content Producer Isabella Shoard as part of our fact-checking process.
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