Tesla, IBM and Meta Platforms helped lead most U.S. stocks higher after a rush of profit reports from some of the country’s most influential companies

Wall Street's main indexes rose on Thursday, driven by post-earnings advances in Meta and Tesla, although Microsoft's weak cloud forecast and downbeat results from Cigna dampened investor enthusiasm. Microsoft MSFT.O dropped 4.7% after forecasting disappointing growth in its cloud computing business.

Tesla's fourth-quarter net income fell 71% from a year ago when results were boosted by a one-time tax benefit. The latest results fell short of Wall Street forecasts.

In 2024, Tesla (TSLA) ’s electric vehicle deliveries fell for the first time in the company’s 21-year history. But according to CEO Elon Musk, that’s no cause for concern because Tesla’s future is all about A.I. and other non-automobile businesses. And investors seem to buy the argument—for now.

Tesla’s latest earnings report reveals a rare sales decline and stock dip, as CEO Elon Musk’s escalating controversies and political entanglements raise questions about the brand’s long-term consumer trust and market position.

Elon Musk promised Tesla’s car sales would jump 20% this year at a minimum, but his own company doesn’t even seem to believe that.