NIO vs. TSLA: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on August 27, 2025

Here’s a clear look at NIO and TSLA, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Profile

NIO 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	NIO	TSLA
Company Name	NIO Inc.	Tesla, Inc.
Country	China	United States
GICS Sector	Consumer Discretionary	Consumer Discretionary
GICS Industry	Automobiles	Automobiles
Market Capitalization	15.14 billion USD	1,117.94 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NasdaqGS
Listing Date	September 12, 2018	June 29, 2010
Security Type	ADR	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of NIO 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.

NIO vs. TSLA: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	NIO	TSLA
5-Day Price Return	20.12%	5.25%
13-Week Price Return	56.96%	1.63%
26-Week Price Return	38.72%	-3.87%
52-Week Price Return	52.63%	64.53%
Month-to-Date Return	25.05%	12.43%
Year-to-Date Return	39.68%	-14.17%
10-Day Avg. Volume	97.68M	74.47M
3-Month Avg. Volume	51.40M	103.51M
3-Month Volatility	67.29%	56.71%
Beta	1.26	2.04

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

NIO

-167.90%

Automobiles Industry

Max: 25.70%
Q3: 12.88%
Median: 6.92%
Q1: 0.71%
Min: -15.89%

NIO has a negative Return on Equity of -167.90%. This indicates the company is generating a loss for its shareholders, which can be a result of unprofitability or negative shareholder equity and is often a sign of financial distress.

TSLA

8.22%

Automobiles Industry

Max: 25.70%
Q3: 12.88%
Median: 6.92%
Q1: 0.71%
Min: -15.89%

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.

NIO vs. TSLA: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against the Automobiles industry benchmark.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

NIO

-35.80%

Automobiles Industry

Max: 9.92%
Q3: 5.78%
Median: 3.23%
Q1: 0.11%
Min: -5.31%

NIO has a negative Net Profit Margin of -35.80%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.

TSLA

6.54%

Automobiles Industry

Max: 9.92%
Q3: 5.78%
Median: 3.23%
Q1: 0.11%
Min: -5.31%

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.

NIO vs. TSLA: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against the Automobiles industry benchmark.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

NIO

-33.76%

Automobiles Industry

Max: 13.07%
Q3: 7.22%
Median: 5.29%
Q1: 0.43%
Min: -4.46%

NIO has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -33.76%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.

TSLA

6.06%

Automobiles Industry

Max: 13.07%
Q3: 7.22%
Median: 5.29%
Q1: 0.43%
Min: -4.46%

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.

NIO vs. TSLA: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against the Automobiles industry benchmark.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	NIO	TSLA
Return on Equity (TTM)	-167.90%	8.22%
Return on Assets (TTM)	-23.68%	4.89%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	-35.80%	6.54%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	-33.76%	6.06%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	10.20%	17.48%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

NIO

0.84

Automobiles Industry

Max: 2.19
Q3: 1.54
Median: 1.26
Q1: 1.09
Min: 0.48

NIO’s Current Ratio of 0.84 falls into the lower quartile for the Automobiles industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.

TSLA

2.04

Automobiles Industry

Max: 2.19
Q3: 1.54
Median: 1.26
Q1: 1.09
Min: 0.48

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.

NIO vs. TSLA: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against the Automobiles industry benchmark.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

NIO

3.46

Automobiles Industry

Max: 2.34
Q3: 1.13
Median: 0.58
Q1: 0.28
Min: 0.06

With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 3.46, NIO operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Automobiles industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.

TSLA

0.09

Automobiles Industry

Max: 2.34
Q3: 1.13
Median: 0.58
Q1: 0.28
Min: 0.06

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.

NIO vs. TSLA: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against the Automobiles industry benchmark.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

NIO

-49.07

Automobiles Industry

Max: 77.87
Q3: 42.86
Median: 13.88
Q1: 2.13
Min: -49.07

NIO has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -49.07. 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: 42.86
Median: 13.88
Q1: 2.13
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.

NIO vs. TSLA: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against the Automobiles industry benchmark.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	NIO	TSLA
Current Ratio (MRQ)	0.84	2.04
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.61	1.35
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	3.46	0.09
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	-49.07	71.48

Growth

Revenue Growth

NIO vs. TSLA: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

NIO vs. TSLA: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

NIO

0.00%

Automobiles Industry

Max: 10.71%
Q3: 5.39%
Median: 3.14%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

NIO 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: 10.71%
Q3: 5.39%
Median: 3.14%
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.

NIO vs. TSLA: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against the Automobiles industry benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

NIO

0.00%

Automobiles Industry

Max: 114.43%
Q3: 59.30%
Median: 37.15%
Q1: 16.40%
Min: 0.00%

NIO 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: 114.43%
Q3: 59.30%
Median: 37.15%
Q1: 16.40%
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.

NIO vs. TSLA: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against the Automobiles industry benchmark.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	NIO	TSLA
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.00%	0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	0.00%	0.00%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

NIO

Automobiles Industry

Max: 27.69
Q3: 19.99
Median: 9.85
Q1: 6.60
Min: 4.25

P/E Ratio data for NIO is currently unavailable.

TSLA

172.34

Automobiles Industry

Max: 27.69
Q3: 19.99
Median: 9.85
Q1: 6.60
Min: 4.25

At 172.34, 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.

NIO vs. TSLA: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against the Automobiles industry benchmark.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

NIO

1.01

Automobiles Industry

Max: 1.52
Q3: 0.84
Median: 0.41
Q1: 0.23
Min: 0.08

NIO’s P/S Ratio of 1.01 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

11.27

Automobiles Industry

Max: 1.52
Q3: 0.84
Median: 0.41
Q1: 0.23
Min: 0.08

With a P/S Ratio of 11.27, 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.

NIO vs. TSLA: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against the Automobiles industry benchmark.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

NIO

10.95

Automobiles Industry

Max: 4.25
Q3: 2.00
Median: 0.87
Q1: 0.46
Min: 0.19

At 10.95, NIO’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.

TSLA

13.23

Automobiles Industry

Max: 4.25
Q3: 2.00
Median: 0.87
Q1: 0.46
Min: 0.19

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.

NIO vs. TSLA: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against the Automobiles industry benchmark.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	NIO	TSLA
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	--	172.34
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	1.01	11.27
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	10.95	13.23
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	--	187.03