Tesla shareholders have approved CEO Elon Musk's staggering $56 billion compensation package again despite a Delaware court invalidating it previously. Musk's pay package, one of the largest in history, links his earnings to Tesla's performance, encompassing market capitalization, revenue, and profitability milestones.

What Are the Stakes?

The stakes are enormous. Musk's compensation package's approval reassures investors about his continued leadership at Tesla, which is vital for the company's trajectory. This package includes stock options that Musk can only exercise if Tesla meets specific, ambitious targets, ensuring his interests are aligned with those of the shareholders.

Since the initial approval in 2018, Tesla's annual electric vehicle deliveries have surged seven-fold, reaching over 1.3 million vehicles in 2022. The company has also achieved significant revenue and profit milestones, with revenue exceeding $81 billion and adjusted core profit hitting $14 billion in 2023. However, analysts predict a potential slowdown in EV sales this year, making Musk's motivation to steer through these challenges even more crucial.

What Could Happen to Tesla's Stock?

If Musk meets his ambitious targets, Tesla's market valuation could soar, providing substantial returns for investors. As of June 2024, Tesla's stock is trading at around $180 per share, down from its peak of over $400 in 2021. Analysts have mixed projections: some forecast a rebound to $350 per share if Tesla meets its targets, while others caution about potential volatility.

Tesla's market valuation, which once exceeded $650 billion, has recently dipped below this threshold, currently hovering around $600 billion. 

Why Musk's Pay Matters

Musk's $56 billion pay package isn't just about money but Tesla's future. The package is designed to keep Musk at the helm and drive the company's innovation and growth. It includes 101.3 million stock options, exercisable in 12 tranches. Each tranche vests only if Tesla hits specific milestones, such as a market cap of $650 billion and operational targets like $175 billion in revenue and $14 billion in adjusted core profit.

This move brings stability but also places immense pressure on achieving ambitious targets, which will be crucial for Tesla's stock performance in the highly competitive EV market. 

Sean Kelland has no positions in Tesla. Stocks.News has positions in Tesla.