1. How is Tesla’s balance sheet impacted by its issuance of common stock and convertible five-year notes?
Original blog posting (April 5, 2017)

2. Tesla, Inc. Preparing to begin production of Tesla Model 3
An all-electric, four-door compact luxury sedan starting at $35,000
By mid-March 2017, 325,000 Model 3 cars ordered
Issued common stock and convertible bond to raise $1.15 billion in cash to finance production

3. Tesla, Inc. $250 million of common stock
$850 million in convertible notes
Issue date: March 22, 2017
Maturity date: March 15, 2022
Principal: $850 million
2.375% interest payable semiannually on March 15 and September 15
If certain conditions are met, convertible into Tesla common stock at a rate of shares of common stock per $1,000 note principal

4. Question 1
How will Tesla’s balance sheet be impacted by the common stock issuance?

5. Question 2
How will Tesla’s balance sheet be impacted by the note issuance?

6. Question 3
Assuming the notes are not converted into common stock, how much will Tesla have to pay its note holders in (ignore interest.) Compare this amount to the amount Tesla received on the date of note issuance. Why could this difference exist?

7. Question 4
Assume it is March 14, At what common stock price would it be profitable for the note holders to convert their notes into shares of common stock? Explain.

8. Question 5
If you were an investor, why would a convertible feature on a note be attractive?

9. Question Recap
How will Tesla’s balance sheet be impacted by the common stock issuance?
How will Tesla’s balance sheet be impacted by the note issuance?
Assuming the notes are not converted into common stock, how much will Tesla have to pay its note holders in (ignore interest.) Compare this amount to the amount Tesla received on the date of note issuance. Why could this difference exist?
Assume it is March 14, At what common stock price would it be profitable for the note holders to convert their notes into shares of common stock? Explain.
If you were an investor, why would a convertible feature on a note be attractive?

10. For additional news stories to use in the accounting classroom, see the Accounting in the Headlines blog at Questions or comments? Contact Dr. Wendy Tietz at