Elon Musk ‘is back’ says Morgan Stanley after China visit

Morgan Stanley’s analysts are hailing Elon Musk’s recent trip to China as a significant turning point, declaring “he’s back” in a note to clients. While the primary purpose of Musk’s visit was to secure approval for Tesla’s (NASDAQ:TSLA) self-driving technology in China, the implications extend beyond that.

According to the investment bank, Musk’s presence in China signals a renewed commitment to Tesla, effectively addressing investor concerns stemming from previous setbacks. This includes challenges such as the rejection of Musk’s compensation package by a Delaware judge.

Morgan Stanley believes that Musk’s unannounced visit carries strong symbolic weight, demonstrating his dedication not only to Tesla but also to his broader ecosystem of companies. The fact that Musk secured approval from the People’s Republic of China (PRC) for the rollout of Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology in the country is seen as particularly reassuring for Tesla’s prospects in China.

Moreover, the analysts highlighted the potential national security implications of Musk’s involvement in China, given his connections to SpaceX and various US government agencies. This underscores the importance of Musk’s dealings in China beyond just Tesla’s business interests.

The convergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics, particularly in the context of Tesla’s technology, was also emphasized by Morgan Stanley. They suggested that advancements in Tesla’s Full Self-Driving technology could have broader implications for robotics, potentially accelerating progress in this field.

Overall, Musk’s visit to China is interpreted as a positive signal for Tesla by Morgan Stanley. The investment bank maintained its $310 price target and overweight rating on the electric vehicle giant, reflecting confidence in the company’s future prospects.