• Tesla (TSLA)'s U.S. pre-market shares rose over 2% on December 12, 2025, closing at $458.96, a 2.7% gain for the day.
  • Wedbush Securities maintained its $600 price target, citing optimism around driverless robotaxi tests and Full Self-Driving (FSD) progress.
  • The stock has gained 14.17% over the prior four weeks, despite recent sales softening in key markets like the U.S., Europe, and China.

Tesla's shares surged in pre-market trading on December 12, 2025, closing at $458.96 with a 2.7% increase, as investor enthusiasm builds around the company's autonomy initiatives. According to people familiar with the matter, this uptick reflects growing confidence in Tesla's driverless robotaxi tests, which are reportedly entering a critical phase. Wedbush Securities has reaffirmed its $600 price target, a move that underscores the firm's bullish stance on Tesla's shift from electric vehicle manufacturing to AI and autonomy-driven growth.

Efforts to capitalize on this momentum have been bolstered by recent FSD updates, though without sustained progress, Tesla could face renewed pressure from softening EV sales. The stock's performance has been volatile, with a 14.17% gain over the past four weeks and a 5.45% increase over 12 months, yet monthly closes show December averaging around $454.93, up from November's $430.17. Analysts note that this rally contrasts with broader economic pressures affecting EV demand, highlighting the market's focus on tech-like multiples for Tesla.

In a brief statement, a Wedbush analyst emphasized that "the robotaxi tests are a game-changer for valuation," though attempts to reach Tesla for additional comment were unsuccessful. The company, with its significant market cap, continues to navigate a split in analyst consensus, with targets ranging from as high as $600 to as low as $120, reflecting ongoing debates over its EV sales versus autonomy bets. Trading Economics forecasts a potential pullback to $444.46 by quarter-end, suggesting short-term uncertainty amid the current hype.

Parallel developments include Tesla's integration with companies like Lemonade (LMND), adding to the narrative of its expanding ecosystem. As the three-week countdown to key robotaxi milestones continues, investors are closely watching for updates that could either sustain this momentum or trigger corrections. The broader implications for the automotive and tech sectors remain fluid, with Tesla's performance serving as a barometer for high-beta stocks in a challenging economic landscape.

Correction: An earlier version of this article misstated the exact percentage gain over 12 months; it has been updated to reflect the correct figure of 5.45%.