Tesla earnings approach as Musk confirms SpaceX merger discussions

Tesla enters its October 21 earnings release with a potential SpaceX combination adding to questions about its business outlook. Elon Musk said during SpaceX's October 20 earnings call that independent directors at both companies had formed committees to examine a possible merger.

Musk cautioned that a combination was not certain. His comments confirmed an examination of the possibility, rather than an agreed transaction or a timetable for completion.

Tesla has already disclosed third-quarter deliveries of 486,532 vehicles against production of 464,391. It also deployed 13.7 gigawatt-hours of energy storage. Those operating figures do not establish profitability, which also depends on prices, costs and other factors.

Tesla scheduled its financial release for after trading ends on October 21, followed by a management webcast at 5:30 p.m. Eastern. The release will provide earnings and cash-flow figures, while the webcast is scheduled to address results and the business outlook.