News / US / cnbc
Mike Khouw Outlines Options Strategy for Tesla Following Cybercab Debut
Consumer Durables · Motor Vehicles · cnbc · 2026-09-04
TSLA, GM
Market analyst Mike Khouw details a specific options trade for Tesla as the company shifts focus toward its autonomous Cybercab and future growth potential.
What Happened
Strategic Options Positioning: Mike Khouw proposes a complex options strategy involving the purchase of December $390 calls while simultaneously selling near-term $425 calls and $330 puts. This approach aims to leverage bullish technical indicators like MACD and RSI while using theta decay from the short-dated strangle to offset the cost of the long-dated call position.
Market Sentiment and Valuation: The trade reflects a broader debate on whether Tesla should be valued primarily as an EV manufacturer or as a transformative software and autonomous vehicle company. Following a 5.4% jump on the Cybercab launch, the stock remains well below its 52-week high, prompting investors to seek ways to capture potential upside volatility.
Technical and Risk Considerations: The strategy relies on the stock trading within a specific range through October 23, allowing the short options to expire and reducing the cost basis of the long-term position. While a move above $425 would be profitable, a drop below $330 introduces the risk of put assignment, though this would effectively allow the investor to acquire shares at a discount.
Competitive and Operational Outlook: Despite the optimism surrounding the Cybercab's design, the author acknowledges significant competition from established players like Waymo. Long-term success for Tesla depends heavily on scaling production, securing regulatory approvals, and proving that its unit economics can compete in the autonomous ride-hailing market.