Tesla Eyes Another Record Close on Model 3, Delivery Updates

Tesla has tacked on almost 50% over the past 12 months

Buzz around Tesla Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) continues to swirl this morning, with the electric-car maker drawing headlines on news it will reduce the starting price of its Model 3 sedans made in its Shanghai factory by 16%. The cut in price comes after the company received electric-vehicle subsidies from China.

Also triggering this morning's surge are reports the company beat production output expectations for the fourth quarter, delivering 112,000 vehicles, compared to estimates for 104,960 deliveries. At last glance, TSLA is up 3.7%, at $446.32, earlier hitting a fresh record high of $454.

Short sellers have been hitting the exits, with short interest down 4% in the most recent reporting period. This accounts for a whopping 20% of Tesla stock's total available float, or nearly three times the equity's average pace of trading.

Today's gains have the equity eyeing not only a record close, but a third straight win, as well. Tesla stock sliced through the 320-day moving average's ceiling in late October, and now sports a healthy 49% year-over-year lead.