Tesla 4Q earnings fall short of analyst estimates as company warns of lower sales growth this year

By TOM KRISHER
AP Auto Writer

DETROIT (AP) — Tesla’s net income more than doubled last quarter thanks to a one-time tax benefit but it warned of “notably lower” sales growth this year. It posted net income was $7.93 billion from October through December, compared with $3.69 billion a year earlier. But excluding one-time items such as the $5.9 billion noncash benefit for deferred tax assets, the company made $2.49 billion, or 71 cents per share. That was short of analyst estimates of 73 cents per share, according to data provider FactSet. Tesla reported quarterly revenue of $25.17 billion, up 3% from a year earlier but also below analyst estimates of $25.64 billion.