TSLA vs GM — which stock performed better?

Tesla (TSLA) versus General Motors (GM), Consumer Discretionary, on 2026-10-22.

Result

General Motors (GM) performed better on 2026-10-22. TSLA moved 0.150%, GM moved 2.290%.

Why these two companies

General Motors shares slid 6.85% on Tuesday, October 20 even after the automaker posted record Q3 revenue of $50 billion, an EPS beat, raised guidance, and a new $20 billion buyback, as investors focused on cost and leverage worries instead. Tesla reports its own Q3 2026 results after the market close on Wednesday, October 21, with Wall Street modeling roughly flat revenue near $28 billion and EPS down about 10% from a year ago, so Thursday, October 22's session is the market's first chance to react to both automakers' full third-quarter pictures back to back.

The research

Tesla makes electric cars and is also working on robots, batteries, and self-driving technology, while General Motors is one of the biggest traditional American car companies, selling gas, hybrid, and electric vehicles under brands like Chevrolet, GMC, Buick, and Cadillac.

One reason someone might lean toward Tesla is the excitement around its earnings report, which comes out after the stock market closes, plus ongoing buzz about new projects like humanoid robots and self-driving software.

One reason someone might lean toward General Motors is that it just posted its best-ever quarterly sales and profit and announced a huge plan to buy back its own stock, showing the underlying business is in good shape even though the share price fell anyway.

Something to keep in mind: Tesla's stock price tends to swing by much bigger amounts than General Motors' does, so its earnings reaction could go strongly either way, while General Motors' recent drop is a reminder that even strong results don't always lift a stock price.