<div id="readability-page-1"><p>Bad news hit for electric vehicle giant Tesla (TSLA), as a federal judge stepped in to keep a $243 million jury award against Tesla over an Autopilot-related crash. Tesla's hopes of getting the verdict set aside were dashed, at least for now, and a nine-figure bill is now in Tesla's future. The verdict did little damage to shareholder spirits, as measured by the fractional loss in Tesla shares seen in Friday afternoon's trading.</p><h3>President's Day Sale - 70% Off</h3><ul><li>Unlock  hedge fund-level data  and  powerful investing tools  for smarter, sharper decisions  </li><li> Stay ahead of the market with  the latest news and analysis  and maximize your portfolio's potential</li></ul> <p>The word came down from United States District Judge Beth Bloom that the evidence presented so far &#34;…more than supported&#34; the verdict as laid out. Tesla, meanwhile, offered no new arguments that would prompt a second look. This effectively runs Tesla out of options at the trial court level. Given that Tesla rejected a settlement offer before trial that would have cost less than a quarter of the $243 million figure, it is a decision that likely still haunts the company.</p> <p>Tesla, back in August, tried to advance the notion that the verdict itself &#34;…flies in the face of basic Florida tort law, the Due Process Clause, and common sense.&#34; But Judge Bloom found the response lacking, and Tesla suggested that it would take the verdict to a higher court, further noting a pre-trial judgment that would cap punitive damages at three times what compensatory damages would be. This would reduce the payout, but would still leave it at the nine-figure mark.</p> <h2><strong>No Longer Taking Reviewer Calls</strong></h2> <p>Meanwhile, Tesla seems to have cut ties with one particular tech reviewer and YouTube personality, Marques Brownlee. Otherwise known as MKBHD, Brownlee reviewed the Model Y Performance recently, but had to get it on his own, as Tesla would no longer talk to him. Normally, a car company offering review products will offer one for a week or so on loan. But Brownlee found himself out in the cold with Tesla.</p> <p>Reports suggest that Tesla's cold reception of Brownlee came from a 2023 event in which he talked about the Cybertruck. Brownlee declared that Tesla was &#34;…straight up not delivering&#34; on promises. This was made worse by Brownlee publicly canceling his order for two Tesla Roadsters, which hit Tesla accordingly.</p> <h2><strong>Is Tesla a Buy, Hold or Sell?</strong></h2> <p>Turning to Wall Street, analysts have a Hold consensus rating on TSLA stock based on 12 Buys, 11 Holds, and seven Sells assigned in the past three months, as indicated by the graphic below. After a 21.88% rally in its share price over the past year, the average TSLA price target of $396.80 per share implies 3.2% downside risk.</p></div>

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<p>Tesla (TSLA) faces a $243 million jury award related to an Autopilot crash, as a federal judge upheld the verdict. Despite this setback, Tesla's stock saw only a fractional loss. The company previously rejected a lower settlement offer and plans to appeal. Additionally, Tesla has severed ties with tech reviewer Marques Brownlee after critical comments about the Cybertruck. Analysts maintain a Hold rating on TSLA, with a price target of $396.80, indicating a potential downside risk of 3.2%.</p>

- Tesla faces a $243 million jury award related to an Autopilot crash, as a federal judge affirmed the verdict despite the company's attempts to overturn it.  
- The decision came after Tesla rejected a less costly settlement and failed to present compelling new arguments to alter the verdict.  
- Moreover, the company has halted collaborations with tech reviewer Marques Brownlee following negative comments about Tesla's delivery promises, while analysts maintain a Hold rating on TSLA stock, reflecting mixed market sentiment.

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Judgment Sticks: Tesla Stock (NASDAQ:TSLA) Slips as Tesla on the Hook for $243 Million