Nikola (NKLA) stock forecast for 2023 and beyond

Nikola is an electric vehicle company that has experienced a great deal of controversy. In this guide, find out what the future looks like for Nikola stock.
By:
Updated: Apr 11, 2023
Listen

This page contains research and quotations from some of the world’s leading financial experts. We provide a selection of recent NKLA stock price forecasts that have been issued on the company, and we explore what it is likely to be worth over the course of the next decade.

NKLA stock forecast & price target

Right now, the consensus of the top analysts is that continuing to hold NKLA stock is the most prudent move. In addition, there are several analysts who feel purchasing more shares may be a good move, while there are none that we could find that think selling Nikola shares is advisable right now.

Nikola is a highly speculative company, and while electric vehicle (EV) technology has become more familiar in recent years, Nikola’s status as a prototype-stage company is a meaningful consideration when projecting its future valuation. In addition, several scandals have engulfed the company – most prominently, when the founder of the company, Trevor Milton, was indicted by a US federal grand jury under three counts of criminal fraud in July 2021.

As a result of these key factors, most analysts are cautious about NKLA stock, though that doesn’t mean the company is without promise. Securing a $2 billion investment from automotive giant General Motors in 2020 was no mean feat, and indicates a degree of interest from strategic partners. In fact, the company was once worth more than the automotive giant, Ford, though this was for an extremely brief period.

Check out the table below for some specific price predictions.

StockAverage price targetHighest targetLowest targetMajority guidance
Nikola Corporation (NKLA)$15$25$11Hold
Analyst price targets for Nikola stock, updated June 2023.

Expert forecasts on the future of Nikola (NKLA)

Below, we have provided an assortment of NKLA price predictions and associated quotations from some of the world’s leading financial institutions. Read through them to inform yourself about the potential of Nikola stock in the next year.

Despite “lingering concerns,” Wedbush believes “the company’s EV and hydrogen fuel cell ambitions are attainable in the semi-truck market.”

Daniel Ives, Wedbush, price target increased from $10 to $15 and neutral rating maintained

“We believe the stock is somewhat undervalued, but risks are elevated and we think the stock is likely to perform in line with the mean of our coverage over coming months or quarters… Specifically, investors may need to wait until late 2021 before the next positive catalysts.”

Bill Peterson, JPMorgan, price target lowered from $21 to $12 and neutral rating maintained

Lewis sees the potential for the hydrogen side of the business to be worth upwards of $30 per share as a standalone business, but is “waiting for more tangible signs of execution.”

Gregory Lewis, BTIG, price target remains at $18 with rating downgraded from buy to neutral

The company’s recent $125 million civil penalty settlement paid to the SEC will allow Nikola to “leave the past in the past and look ahead.” “In some respects, given NKLA is still very much a start-up and venture investment, such announcements and milestones are really all investors can look for near-term.” However, the company “can’t play the press release game forever.”

Joseph Spak, RBC Capital, price target raised to $11 and sector perform rating maintained

Short term NKLA stock forecast

In the short term, the consensus of analysts is that Nikola will rise slightly above its current share price. Right now, Nikola is relying on speculative investors to increase its market capitalisation. Its status as a prototype company with a damaged reputation carries obvious risks, and the lack of execution on a route towards monetisation is a concern.

Until such time that Nikola becomes cash generative, it will be relying on reestablishing its brand strength and tapping into the EV hype surrounding the ESG narrative. The prior interest from major strategic partners and the company’s alleged expertise could be key to delivering a profitable business model to the market.

Additional revenue streams such as hydrogen fuel cells could potentially be an environmentally conscious and lucrative way to drive more capital into Nikola’s bottom line. However, these big plans need to be delivered before the market can begin to upgrade the valuation of the company.

Nikola stock price prediction 2023

By 2023, Nikola’s credentials will have been crystallised. We will have additional evidence regarding the hydrogen side of the business, and we will have a clearer idea of the success of the company’s reputation rebuild, project funding arrangements, and production/delivery timeline. In the event that most of these credentials have been enhanced, Nikola stock could climb back above $20. However, things could easily go wrong, in which case Nikola’s stock could fall below $5.

Nikola price prediction 2024

By 2024, Nikola will either be a thriving EV manufacturer or an obsolete failure. In the best-case scenario, the company will have started to climb towards the $30 per share mark it achieved in 2020. However, if things go wrong, NKLA shares could be worth much less than $5.

Long term NKLA stock forecast

It is extremely difficult to produce a long-term Nikola stock price forecast for a highly speculative company. There are too many moving elements to this unpredictable story, and there are many key fundamental factors that are yet to be known. Until Nikola successfully sells its first cars or generates consistent revenue, it is likely to be regarded in this way.

Below, we have outlined some estimates of what NKLA could hypothetically be worth over the course of the next decade.

Nikola price prediction 2025

By 2025, NKLA’s stock price forecast is back towards previous highs of $66. However, if the company does not deliver on its promise, NKLA could become a penny stock (worth less than $1).

Nikola price prediction 2030

In 2030, Nikola Corporation will be an established success with a track record of profitability, or it will be yet another EV innovator consigned to the scrap heap. If all goes well, the company does appear to have the technical ability to compete with some of the world’s most senior automotive manufacturers, and a climb towards the $100 per share park could have been undertaken. However, the company could just as easily have fallen into insolvency by 2030.

Compare the best places to buy Nikola stock

To buy Nikola stock online, you need to create an account with an online broker. We have listed some of the best platforms you can use below, which all offer low-free, easy-to-use trading services for a wide variety of stocks. Click on one of the options to sign up, or keep scrolling for more on NKLA.

1
Min. Deposit
$ 10
Best offer
User Score
10
Up to $240 bonus!
Deposit with ACA, Wire, Pay with my bank
Invest for dividends and get payout on stocks on Ex-Dividend day
Start Trading
Payment Methods:
Bank Transfer, Credit Card, Debit Card, PayPal, Wire Transfer
Full Regulations:
CySEC, FCA

77% of retail CFD accounts lose money.

2
Min. Deposit
$ 0
Best offer
User Score
10
Get insights from millions of investors, creators, and analysts
Build your portfolio of stocks, ETFs, and crypto–all in one place
No minimum deposit
Start Trading
Payment Methods:
Bank Wire, Check, Debit Card, Wire Transfer
Full Regulations:
Cryptocurrency execution and custody services are provided by Apex Crypto LLC (NMLS ID 1828849) through a software licensing agreement between Apex Crypto LLC and Public Crypto LLC. Crypto trading on Public platforms is served by Public Crypto LLC and offered through APEX Crypto. Please ensure that you fully understand the risks involved before trading.
3
Min. Deposit
$ 100
Best offer
User Score
7.5
Trade out-of-hours on over 70+ US stocks
Get exposure to a wide range of popular UK, US and international stocks
Enjoy flexible access to more than 17,000 global markets, with reliable execution
Start Trading
Payment Methods:
Bank Transfer, Credit Card, Debit Card, PayPal
Full Regulations:
ASIC, FCA, FINMA, is a licensed bank (IG Bank in Switzerland)
Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 75% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how spread bets and CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

What affects the price of NKLA?

Below, we have provided some of the key factors that affect the price of NKLA shares.

  • Market speculation. As a highly speculative EV play, much of NKLA’s market performance comes down to marketing. So, if M&A is on the cards, or if a favourable press release is on the horizon, expect Nikola stock to rise in value.
  • Trading volume. This is a key aspect of every stock’s price behaviour. When trading volume is high, it indicates significant interest in a company, whereas the reverse is true when trading volume is low. Due to its untested nature, maintaining a solid trading volume and staying in the news is key for Nikola’s share price.
  • Short positions. These are an important dynamic in the stock market. Institutional investors will often hold large short positions against companies they feel are set up for failure. Just under 30% of Nikola shares are sold short – a significant portion, but to be expected from a risky company.

How has the Nikola price changed over time?

Since going public in 2020 following a merger with a SPAC, Nikola’s performance has been volatile. Despite the initial promise and a skyrocketing share price above $60, the company’s legal issues and failure to deliver on concepts quickly led to a slump below the $30 per share mark.

These days, Nikola is a fairly stagnant stock that has trended downwards and typically trades in the low teens. However, with the SEC settlement covered, the company is on the lookout for potential growth catalysts over the next few years.

What should I do now?

Check out our guide on how to buy Nikola shares to gain a thorough understanding of the process of investing. Otherwise, click on any of the news articles below to satisfy your yearning for Nikola-related knowledge.

Latest Nikola news

Risk disclaimer
Charlie Hancox
Financial Writer
Alongside his passion for trading, Charlie has represented Great Britain and won national championships as a water polo player, and as a budding film director, has… read more.