One of the most successful stocks over the last few years is Tesla (TSLA 3.68%). The company has defied the odds by becoming one of the few automakers to become a consistently profitable business.
Amid this success, having faith in Elon Musks vision for Tesla has paid off for investors, but the degree to which its early investors have benefited may come as a surprise.
Ever wondered if you can buy just a single share of Tesla stock? The short answer is absolutely yes! Gone are the days when you had to purchase stocks in large quantities or “round lots” Today, investing has become more accessible, and you can totally buy a single share of Tesla or even fractional shares through many brokers
I’ve been following Tesla’s journey for years now, and it’s been quite the rollercoaster. Let me walk you through everything you need to know about buying a single Tesla share and what it might mean for your investment portfolio.
The Value of a Single Tesla Share: Past and Present
If you had purchased just one share of Tesla during its IPO (Initial Public Offering) back in 2010 at $17 per share, that investment would have grown significantly. According to recent information:
- One IPO share would now equal 15 shares due to stock splits
- Tesla had a 5-for-1 split in 2020
- Tesla had a 3-for-1 split in 2022
- As of November 15, 2024, each of those 15 shares would be worth about $321
- That means your original $17 investment would now be worth approximately $4,815
- That’s a mind-blowing 283-fold return on investment!
This incredible growth demonstrates why Tesla has become such a sought-after stock among investors, even those who can only afford to buy one share at a time.
How to Buy Just One Share of Tesla
If you’re ready to purchase a single share of Tesla stock, here’s how to do it:
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Choose a brokerage platform – Many online brokers now offer commission-free trading, making single-share purchases economical. Popular options include:
- Robinhood
- Webull
- Fidelity
- Charles Schwab
- E*TRADE
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Create and fund your account – You’ll need to provide personal information and transfer enough money to cover the cost of one Tesla share.
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Search for Tesla’s ticker symbol – TSLA is Tesla’s stock symbol on NASDAQ.
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Place your order – You can place a market order (buy at current price) or limit order (buy only at a specific price or better).
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Confirm your purchase – Review and submit your order to become a Tesla shareholder!
Can’t Afford One Full Share? Consider Fractional Shares
If even one full share of Tesla is beyond your current budget, don’t worry! Many brokerages now offer fractional share investing. This means you can invest as little as $1 in Tesla stock.
Some platforms that offer fractional shares include:
- Robinhood
- Fidelity
- Charles Schwab
- SoFi
- Public
With fractional shares, you can still benefit from Tesla’s potential growth, even if you can’t afford a full share right away.
Pros and Cons of Buying a Single Tesla Share
Pros:
- Lower barrier to entry – You don’t need thousands of dollars to become a Tesla investor
- Portfolio diversification – Add exposure to the EV and tech markets without overcommitting
- Psychological benefit – Owning even a small piece of an innovative company like Tesla can be motivating
- Future growth potential – You’ll benefit from Tesla’s potential expansion into AI and autonomous driving
Cons:
- Limited impact on your overall portfolio – A single share won’t dramatically change your financial situation
- Broker limitations – Some traditional brokers still charge fees that make single-share purchases less economical
- Volatility – Tesla stock is known for significant price swings
- Emotional attachment – Owning just one share might lead to emotional rather than rational investment decisions
Why Tesla’s Future Looks Promising (But Not Guaranteed)
Tesla has defied the odds in many ways. As mentioned in recent reports, Tesla has accomplished what few thought possible:
- Became one of the few automakers to consistently generate profits
- Dominated the electric vehicle market in the U.S.
- Expanded beyond cars into battery technology, solar products, and artificial intelligence
Looking ahead, Tesla has ambitious plans:
- Recently unveiled the Cybercab autonomous taxi
- Plans to produce up to 2 million Cybercabs annually by 2026
- Continues to invest heavily in artificial intelligence
- Working to perfect autonomous vehicle technology
Some industry experts, like Cathie Wood of Ark Invest, believe Tesla’s self-driving technology could eventually become the company’s primary revenue source. In fact, Ark Invest has set a $2,600 price target for Tesla stock by 2029, which would be more than 8 times its current value.
However, I should emphasize that these are projections, not guarantees. Tesla faces significant competition and regulatory challenges.
Is One Share of Tesla Stock Worth It?
Whether buying one share of Tesla is “worth it” depends entirely on your investment goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance. Here are some considerations:
It might be worth it if:
- You want to dip your toes into investing with a company you believe in
- You’re building a diverse portfolio one stock at a time
- You plan to hold long-term and potentially add more shares over time
- You’re excited about Tesla’s vision and want to be part of it
It might not be worth it if:
- You’re looking for immediate, significant returns
- You need that money for more pressing financial needs
- You haven’t established an emergency fund or paid off high-interest debt
- You don’t have a long-term investment strategy
How to Manage Your Single Tesla Share
If you decide to purchase one share of Tesla, here are some tips for managing your investment:
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Stay informed but not obsessed – Follow Tesla news and quarterly reports, but don’t check the stock price every hour.
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Consider DRIP investing – Some brokerages offer Dividend Reinvestment Plans, though Tesla doesn’t currently pay dividends.
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Have a clear strategy – Decide in advance under what conditions you’d sell or buy more.
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Diversify over time – As you have more money to invest, add other stocks or ETFs to reduce risk.
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Take advantage of dollar-cost averaging – Regularly invest small amounts to build your position over time.
Common Questions About Buying One Tesla Share
“Do I get voting rights with just one share?”
Yes! Each share of Tesla stock comes with voting rights, though your single vote won’t sway corporate decisions.
“What’s the minimum amount I need to invest in Tesla?”
With fractional shares, you can invest as little as $1 in Tesla stock through many brokers.
“Will Tesla ever pay dividends?”
Tesla currently doesn’t pay dividends as it reinvests profits into growth. This could change in the future, but no plans have been announced.
“Is it better to buy one share of Tesla or an ETF that includes Tesla?”
An ETF provides more diversification, reducing risk. However, a single Tesla share gives you pure exposure to the company’s performance.
“Can I gift one share of Tesla to someone else?”
Absolutely! Many brokers offer gift cards or special accounts designed for gifting stocks.
My Personal Experience with Single-Share Investing
I started my investing journey by buying single shares of companies I believed in. For me, it was a way to learn about the stock market without risking too much money. Each purchase felt special – I wasn’t just a consumer of these companies’ products, but a part-owner (even if an extremely tiny one!).
Over time, I’ve added to my positions and diversified, but I still remember the excitement of that first share purchase. Sometimes I made good choices, sometimes not so good ones. But each decision taught me something valuable about investing.
The Bottom Line: Yes, You Can (and Maybe Should) Buy One Share
Buying a single share of Tesla is not only possible but can be a smart way to start investing in a company you believe has potential for growth. With the advent of commission-free trading and fractional shares, the barriers to entry for stock market investing are lower than ever.
However, always remember that investing in individual stocks carries risk. Tesla’s stock price has been volatile, and past performance doesn’t guarantee future results.
If you’re considering buying one share of Tesla, make sure it’s part of a broader financial plan. Have an emergency fund, manage high-interest debt, and consider how this single share fits into your overall investment strategy.
Whether you’re buying one share or one hundred, the principles of successful investing remain the same: research thoroughly, invest for the long term, and don’t put all your eggs in one basket.
So go ahead – if you’ve been eyeing Tesla stock but thought you needed thousands of dollars to get started, now you know that’s not the case. One share could be your entry ticket to becoming a Tesla investor and participating in whatever the future holds for this innovative company.
Have you bought a single share of a company before? I’d love to hear about your experience in the comments!
Key Data PointsMarket Cap$1429BDay’s Range$ 4288 – $ 439.3652wk Range$ 214.25 – $ 488.54Volume103MAvg Vol88MGross Margin17.01 %Dividend YieldN/A
If anyone had bought one share of Teslas IPO at $17 per share, they would own 15 shares after a 5-for-1 split in 2020 and a 3-for-1 split in 2022. Those shares would be worth almost $321 each as of Nov. 15, or $4,815 in total, a 283-fold return.
Tesla defied the odds on many levels. For years, three large U.S. companies dominated the auto industry. Given the high fixed costs of starting a car company, none had recently entered the business successfully until Tesla.
Additionally, Tesla dominates the electric vehicle (EV) market in the U.S., according to the Energy Information Administration. This is notable as many consumers have resisted the technology, and numerous legacy manufacturers have scaled back plans to go all-electric.