Although we don't believe in timing the market or panicking over market movements, we do like to keep an eye on big changes -- just in case they're material to our investing thesis.

What: Tesla Motors (Nasdaq: TSLA) shares jumped 14% today after the company released earnings that were better than expected.

So what: Tesla's net loss for the quarter did grow to $34.6 million, or $0.38 per share, compared with a year ago, but it beat analysts' estimates of a loss of $0.43 per share. The company also said the Model S is on track for 2012, and its new partnership with Toyota (NYSE: TM) will result in a "couple thousand unit" test fleet.

Now what: I'm taking the cautious approach to Tesla after delays from battery maker A123 Systems' (Nasdaq: AONE) auto customers this quarter scared me off. Today's news is a positive step, but Tesla is still anticipating losses into 2012, so we are a ways from hitting the financial stability I like to see. At the risk of missing out on another bump in this stock, I'm going to stay away and wait to see a profit or a big pullback.

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