LI vs. TSLA: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at LI and TSLA, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
LI trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors a convenient way to access its foreign-listed shares. In contrast, TSLA is a standard domestic listing.
| Symbol | LI | TSLA |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Li Auto Inc. | Tesla, Inc. |
| Country | China | United States |
| GICS Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Consumer Discretionary |
| GICS Industry | Automobiles | Automobiles |
| Market Capitalization | 26.24 billion USD | 1,527.77 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | July 30, 2020 | June 29, 2010 |
| Security Type | ADR | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of LI and TSLA by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | LI | TSLA |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 2.68% | 0.44% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -2.12% | 40.00% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 1.40% | 63.46% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 142.14% | 70.74% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 10.58% | 33.20% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 7.93% | 10.12% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 20.70M | 91.56M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 18.59M | 97.49M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 46.20% | 46.51% |
| Beta | 1.25 | 2.06 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
LI
11.44%
Automobiles Industry
- Max
- 28.52%
- Q3
- 12.70%
- Median
- 5.15%
- Q1
- -1.62%
- Min
- -18.19%
LI’s Return on Equity of 11.44% is on par with the norm for the Automobiles industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
TSLA
8.22%
Automobiles Industry
- Max
- 28.52%
- Q3
- 12.70%
- Median
- 5.15%
- Q1
- -1.62%
- Min
- -18.19%
TSLA’s Return on Equity of 8.22% is on par with the norm for the Automobiles industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
LI
5.64%
Automobiles Industry
- Max
- 8.82%
- Q3
- 5.80%
- Median
- 2.77%
- Q1
- -1.08%
- Min
- -10.15%
LI’s Net Profit Margin of 5.64% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Automobiles industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
TSLA
6.54%
Automobiles Industry
- Max
- 8.82%
- Q3
- 5.80%
- Median
- 2.77%
- Q1
- -1.08%
- Min
- -10.15%
A Net Profit Margin of 6.54% places TSLA in the upper quartile for the Automobiles industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
LI
5.75%
Automobiles Industry
- Max
- 13.07%
- Q3
- 6.94%
- Median
- 4.50%
- Q1
- -2.17%
- Min
- -13.85%
LI’s Operating Profit Margin of 5.75% is around the midpoint for the Automobiles industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
TSLA
6.06%
Automobiles Industry
- Max
- 13.07%
- Q3
- 6.94%
- Median
- 4.50%
- Q1
- -2.17%
- Min
- -13.85%
TSLA’s Operating Profit Margin of 6.06% is around the midpoint for the Automobiles industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | LI | TSLA |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 11.44% | 8.22% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 5.05% | 4.89% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 5.64% | 6.54% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 5.75% | 6.06% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 20.64% | 17.48% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
LI
1.73
Automobiles Industry
- Max
- 2.13
- Q3
- 1.52
- Median
- 1.29
- Q1
- 1.09
- Min
- 0.47
LI’s Current Ratio of 1.73 is in the upper quartile for the Automobiles industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.
TSLA
2.04
Automobiles Industry
- Max
- 2.13
- Q3
- 1.52
- Median
- 1.29
- Q1
- 1.09
- Min
- 0.47
TSLA’s Current Ratio of 2.04 is in the upper quartile for the Automobiles industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
LI
0.37
Automobiles Industry
- Max
- 2.07
- Q3
- 1.17
- Median
- 0.60
- Q1
- 0.30
- Min
- 0.05
LI’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.37 is typical for the Automobiles industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
TSLA
0.09
Automobiles Industry
- Max
- 2.07
- Q3
- 1.17
- Median
- 0.60
- Q1
- 0.30
- Min
- 0.05
Falling into the lower quartile for the Automobiles industry, TSLA’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.09 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
LI
-16.94
Automobiles Industry
- Max
- 77.87
- Q3
- 37.26
- Median
- 13.42
- Q1
- 1.43
- Min
- -49.07
LI has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -16.94. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.
TSLA
71.48
Automobiles Industry
- Max
- 77.87
- Q3
- 37.26
- Median
- 13.42
- Q1
- 1.43
- Min
- -49.07
TSLA’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 71.48 is in the upper quartile for the Automobiles industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | LI | TSLA |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.73 | 2.04 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.50 | 1.35 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.37 | 0.09 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | -16.94 | 71.48 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
LI
0.00%
Automobiles Industry
- Max
- 10.85%
- Q3
- 4.84%
- Median
- 2.53%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
LI currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.
TSLA
0.00%
Automobiles Industry
- Max
- 10.85%
- Q3
- 4.84%
- Median
- 2.53%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
TSLA currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
LI
0.00%
Automobiles Industry
- Max
- 131.16%
- Q3
- 60.59%
- Median
- 36.73%
- Q1
- 5.97%
- Min
- 0.00%
LI has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.
TSLA
0.00%
Automobiles Industry
- Max
- 131.16%
- Q3
- 60.59%
- Median
- 36.73%
- Q1
- 5.97%
- Min
- 0.00%
TSLA has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | LI | TSLA |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
LI
23.18
Automobiles Industry
- Max
- 31.95
- Q3
- 22.20
- Median
- 11.17
- Q1
- 7.39
- Min
- 4.54
A P/E Ratio of 23.18 places LI in the upper quartile for the Automobiles industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
TSLA
252.02
Automobiles Industry
- Max
- 31.95
- Q3
- 22.20
- Median
- 11.17
- Q1
- 7.39
- Min
- 4.54
At 252.02, TSLA’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Automobiles industry. This suggests the stock may be significantly overvalued compared to its peers and implies high market expectations that could be difficult to meet.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
LI
1.31
Automobiles Industry
- Max
- 1.49
- Q3
- 0.92
- Median
- 0.47
- Q1
- 0.24
- Min
- 0.09
LI’s P/S Ratio of 1.31 is in the upper echelon for the Automobiles industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.
TSLA
16.48
Automobiles Industry
- Max
- 1.49
- Q3
- 0.92
- Median
- 0.47
- Q1
- 0.24
- Min
- 0.09
With a P/S Ratio of 16.48, TSLA trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Automobiles industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
LI
2.87
Automobiles Industry
- Max
- 2.87
- Q3
- 1.83
- Median
- 0.79
- Q1
- 0.47
- Min
- 0.18
LI’s P/B Ratio of 2.87 is in the upper tier for the Automobiles industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.
TSLA
13.23
Automobiles Industry
- Max
- 2.87
- Q3
- 1.83
- Median
- 0.79
- Q1
- 0.47
- Min
- 0.18
At 13.23, TSLA’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Automobiles industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | LI | TSLA |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 23.18 | 252.02 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 1.31 | 16.48 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 2.87 | 13.23 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 9.50 | 273.50 |