Tesla Stock Slumps Despite Record $26.7B Volume as AI Chip Deal with Samsung Surges to Second in Trading Volume

On July 30, 2025, Tesla (TSLA) closed with a 0.67% decline, despite a record $26.73 billion trading volume that ranked second in the equity market. The stock’s performance came amid a significant strategic development as the electric vehicle giant finalized a $16.5 billion AI chip agreement with Samsung, signaling a major investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure. This partnership aims to accelerate Tesla’s autonomous driving and AI capabilities, potentially reshaping its competitive positioning in the tech-driven automotive sector.

The deal with Samsung highlights Tesla’s focus on vertical integration of critical components, reducing reliance on third-party suppliers for advanced semiconductor solutions. Analysts note that such agreements often precede periods of operational scaling, though market participants remain cautious about execution risks and capital allocation efficiency. The broader AI industry continues to grapple with energy demands, with Tesla’s energy division potentially benefiting from long-term infrastructure synergies as AI adoption accelerates.

A volume-weighted trading strategy that prioritized the top 500 stocks by daily liquidity achieved a 166.71% return from 2022 to the present. This outperformed benchmark indices by 137.53% in excess returns, with a 31.89% compound annual growth rate. The approach demonstrated consistency across high-volume equities, suggesting short-term momentum strategies may capitalize on liquidity-driven price movements in large-cap stocks. However, Tesla’s recent price action indicates mixed sentiment, reflecting investor uncertainty about the company’s ability to sustain growth amid regulatory and production challenges.