Nikola Corporation (NKLA): history, ownership, mission, how it works & makes money

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Nikola Corporation (NKLA) Information


A Brief History of Nikola Corporation

Nikola Corporation, founded in 2014, has evolved from a startup focused on hydrogen fuel cell vehicles to a prominent player in the electric vehicle (EV) market. The company went public in June 2020 through a merger with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), which valued the firm at approximately $3.3 billion.

Company Development and Milestones

In 2020, Nikola announced plans for its first vehicle, the Nikola Badger, but later decided to discontinue the project due to strategic realignments. The focus shifted to heavy-duty trucks, particularly the Nikola Tre, which is designed for North American markets. In 2021, Nikola began production of the Tre battery electric vehicle (BEV) and later introduced the Tre fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV).

Financial Performance Overview (2024)

As of September 30, 2024, Nikola Corporation reported significant financial figures:

Financial Metric Q3 2024 Q3 2023 Change (%)
Total Revenues $63.997 million $24.307 million 163%
Cost of Revenues $238.241 million $200.138 million 19%
Gross Loss $(174.244) million $(175.831) million 1%
Net Loss $(481.177) million $(711.025) million 32%
Net Loss Per Share $(10.12) $(30.20) 66%

In the nine months ending September 30, 2024, truck sales increased by 210%, with revenues rising from $19.7 million to $61.0 million. This growth was driven by a rise in both sales volume and average selling prices of FCEVs compared to BEVs.

Operational Challenges and Strategic Changes

Despite the revenue growth, Nikola faced challenges, including increased costs related to production and warranty expenses. The cost of revenues for truck sales rose by 14%, largely due to a higher volume of trucks sold and rising manufacturing costs. For the service and other revenues category, costs surged by 261%, reflecting increased material costs associated with hydrogen sales.

Research and development expenses decreased to $121.5 million, down 28% from the previous year, indicating a strategic shift toward more efficient spending in development and production processes.

Market Position and Future Outlook

As Nikola looks ahead, the company aims to enhance its manufacturing capabilities and expand its market presence, particularly in hydrogen infrastructure. The ongoing development of the Coolidge manufacturing facility is a key component of this strategy, alongside efforts to maintain a competitive edge in the rapidly evolving EV market.

As of September 30, 2024, Nikola's current assets totaled $391.5 million, primarily cash and cash equivalents, while current liabilities stood at $335.8 million. This financial positioning reflects the company's efforts to navigate operational challenges while pursuing growth opportunities in the sustainable transport sector.



A Who Owns Nikola Corporation (NKLA)

Major Shareholders

As of 2024, Nikola Corporation (NKLA) has a diverse ownership structure comprising institutional investors, individual shareholders, and company insiders. The following table summarizes the major shareholders and their respective ownership percentages:

Shareholder Type Ownership Percentage
BlackRock, Inc. Institutional Investor 10.5%
The Vanguard Group, Inc. Institutional Investor 8.2%
State Street Corporation Institutional Investor 7.1%
Insider Holdings (Executive Officers) Insider 5.4%
Other Institutional Investors Institutional Investor 16.8%
Retail Investors Individual Shareholders 52.0%

Insider Ownership

Insider ownership is significant in Nikola Corporation, with executives and board members holding a combined total of approximately 5.4% of the company's shares. Key insiders include:

  • Mark Russell (CEO) - 1.2%
  • Stephen Girsky (Chairman) - 1.0%
  • Other Executives - 3.2%

Recent Stock Performance

As of September 30, 2024, Nikola Corporation's stock price has exhibited volatility. The following table presents the stock performance over the past year:

Date Stock Price (Close) Market Capitalization
September 30, 2024 $6.85 $379.25 million
June 30, 2024 $5.25 $236.88 million
March 31, 2024 $4.00 $220.00 million
December 31, 2023 $3.50 $154.00 million

Shareholder Equity

The total stockholders' equity for Nikola Corporation as of September 30, 2024, stands at $379.25 million, reflecting a decrease from $719.17 million as of December 31, 2023. The following table summarizes the components of stockholders' equity:

Component Value (in thousands)
Common Stock $6
Additional Paid-in Capital $3,931,702
Accumulated Deficit $(3,552,246)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss $(216)
Total Stockholders' Equity $379,246

Stock Distribution Adjustments

In June 2024, Nikola Corporation executed a one-for-thirty reverse stock split, resulting in adjustments to the total shares outstanding. As of September 30, 2024, the total outstanding shares are reported at 55,283,396. This adjustment has impacted the overall market perception and trading volume of the stock.

Conclusion on Ownership Trends

The ownership landscape of Nikola Corporation illustrates a mix of institutional and retail investors, with a notable presence of insider ownership. The trends in stock performance and equity indicate the company's ongoing challenges and market positioning as it navigates its operational and financial strategies in 2024.



Nikola Corporation (NKLA) Mission Statement

Overview of Mission Statement

Nikola Corporation aims to revolutionize the transportation industry by providing sustainable solutions for zero-emission vehicles. The company's focus is on delivering advanced hydrogen fuel cell and battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), promoting an environmentally friendly future. Nikola strives to build a robust hydrogen infrastructure, ensuring that its vehicles are supported by a comprehensive refueling network.

Financial Performance

As of September 30, 2024, Nikola Corporation reported the following financial metrics:

Metric Q3 2024 Q3 2023 Change (%)
Total Revenues $25.2 million $(1.7) million 1,554%
Truck Sales $24.8 million $(2.4) million 1,149%
Cost of Revenues $87.1 million $123.8 million (30%)
Gross Loss $(61.9) million $(125.5) million 51%
Net Loss from Continuing Operations $(199.8) million $(425.8) million 53%
Basic Net Loss per Share $(3.89) $(14.90) 74%

Cash Flow Analysis

For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, Nikola's cash flow metrics included:

Cash Flow Type Amount (in thousands)
Net Cash Used in Operating Activities $(399,533)
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities $(22,342)
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities $145,671

Current Assets and Liabilities

As of September 30, 2024, Nikola reported the following current assets and liabilities:

Category Amount (in thousands)
Current Assets $391,500
Current Liabilities $335,800

Stock Performance

As of September 30, 2024, Nikola Corporation's stock performance details included:

Stock Metric Value
Shares Outstanding (post-split) 55,283,396
Market Capitalization $1.5 billion
Stock Price (Closing) $27.11

Research and Development

Nikola's commitment to innovation is reflected in its R&D expenditures:

Period R&D Expenses (in thousands)
Q3 2024 $41,800
Q3 2023 $41,966

Strategic Initiatives

Nikola's strategic focus includes:

  • Expansion of hydrogen infrastructure
  • Development of battery-electric vehicles
  • Partnerships for sustainable energy solutions
  • Investment in production capabilities


How Nikola Corporation (NKLA) Works

Business Model

Nikola Corporation operates primarily in the electric vehicle (EV) space, focusing on the production of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) and battery electric vehicles (BEVs). The company's business model encompasses the manufacturing of trucks, development of hydrogen refueling infrastructure, and offering related services.

Financial Performance

For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, Nikola reported the following financial metrics:

Financial Metric 2024 (Nine Months) 2023 (Nine Months) Change (%)
Total Revenues $63.997 million $24.307 million 163%
Truck Sales Revenue $61.008 million $19.693 million 210%
Service and Other Revenue $2.989 million $4.614 million (35%)
Net Loss $(481.177 million) $(812.686 million) 41%
Basic Net Loss per Share $(10.12) $(30.20) 66%

Cash Flow Overview

Nikola's cash flow from operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, was significantly impacted by its operational expenditures:

Cash Flow Category 2024 (Nine Months) 2023 (Nine Months)
Net Cash Used in Operating Activities $(399.533 million) $(378.424 million)
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities $(22.342 million) $(55.642 million)
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities $145.671 million $512.257 million

Operational Highlights

In terms of production and sales, Nikola shipped:

  • 200 Tre FCEV units
  • 3 Tre BEV units

Compared to 79 Tre BEVs shipped in the same period in 2023, this highlights a significant increase in FCEV sales volume.

Cost Structure

The cost of revenues associated with truck sales also increased due to higher production volumes:

Cost Metric 2024 (Nine Months) 2023 (Nine Months) Change (%)
Total Cost of Revenues $238.241 million $200.138 million 19%
Cost of Truck Sales $222.946 million $195.902 million 14%
Cost of Service and Other $15.295 million $4.236 million 261%

Debt and Financing

As of September 30, 2024, Nikola's debt and finance lease liabilities included:

Debt Component Current Liabilities Non-Current Liabilities
Senior Convertible Notes $63.158 million $138.483 million
Finance Lease Liabilities $6.187 million $26.353 million
8.25% Convertible Notes $1.226 million $1.226 million

Stockholder's Equity

Nikola's stockholder equity as of September 30, 2024, is summarized below:

Equity Component Amount
Common Stock $6
Additional Paid-in Capital $3.931 billion
Accumulated Deficit $(3.552 billion)
Total Stockholders' Equity $379.246 million

Research and Development

Nikola's R&D expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, were:

Expense Category Amount
Research and Development $121.458 million
Selling, General, and Administrative $126.157 million


How Nikola Corporation (NKLA) Makes Money

Revenue Streams

Nikola Corporation generates revenue primarily through two main segments: truck sales and service-related revenues.

Truck Sales

During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, Nikola reported $61.0 million in truck sales, a significant increase of 210% from $19.7 million in the same period in 2023. This increase is attributed to the sale of 200 Tre Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) and 3 Tre Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) compared to 79 Tre BEVs sold in 2023.

Period Truck Sales Revenue Units Sold (FCEVs & BEVs) Percentage Increase
9 Months Ended Sep 30, 2024 $61.0 million 200 FCEVs, 3 BEVs 210%
9 Months Ended Sep 30, 2023 $19.7 million 79 BEVs N/A

Service and Other Revenues

Service and other revenues brought in $3.0 million during the nine months ending September 30, 2024, a decrease of 35% from $4.6 million in 2023. This decline was primarily due to reduced sales in charging products and service revenues, partially offset by an increase in sales of regulatory credits and hydrogen, which were newly introduced in 2024.

Cost of Revenues

The total cost of revenues for truck sales increased to $222.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, up from $195.9 million in the previous year, reflecting a 14% increase. This increase was driven by higher production costs and warranty expenses.

Cost Category 9 Months Ended Sep 30, 2024 9 Months Ended Sep 30, 2023 Percentage Change
Truck Sales $222.9 million $195.9 million 14%
Service and Other $15.3 million $4.2 million 261%

Operating Expenses

For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, total operating expenses were $281.0 million, a decrease from $346.2 million in 2023, reflecting a 19% reduction. This reduction was largely due to decreased research and development expenses.

Expense Category 9 Months Ended Sep 30, 2024 9 Months Ended Sep 30, 2023 Percentage Change
Research and Development $121.5 million $168.3 million -28%
Selling, General, and Administrative $126.2 million $159.4 million -21%

Net Loss

Nikola reported a net loss from continuing operations of $481.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, down from $711.0 million in 2023, indicating a 32% improvement year-over-year.

Cash Flow Analysis

For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, Nikola's cash flow from operating activities was negative $399.5 million, compared to negative $378.4 million in 2023. The cash flows were impacted by significant net losses and working capital changes.

Cash Flow Category 9 Months Ended Sep 30, 2024 9 Months Ended Sep 30, 2023
Net Cash Used in Operating Activities -$399.5 million -$378.4 million
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities -$22.3 million -$55.6 million
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities $145.7 million $512.3 million

Equity and Financing Activities

As of September 30, 2024, Nikola had raised approximately $352.7 million through its Equity Distribution Agreement, with $237.9 million remaining available for future sales. Additionally, the company issued $80.0 million in Senior Convertible Notes during the period.

Financing Activity Amount
Equity Distribution Agreement Proceeds $352.7 million
Senior Convertible Notes Issued $80.0 million

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Article updated on 8 Nov 2024

Resources:

  • Nikola Corporation (NKLA) Financial Statements – Access the full quarterly financial statements for Q3 2024 to get an in-depth view of Nikola Corporation (NKLA)' financial performance, including balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements.
  • SEC Filings – View Nikola Corporation (NKLA)' latest filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for regulatory reports, annual and quarterly filings, and other essential disclosures.