Tesla earnings beat puts SpaceX merger speculation back in focus

Tesla Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) is giving investors two big things to consider: a stronger-than-expected earnings report and the possibility of joining forces with Elon Musk's SpaceX.  Shares opened lower Thursday before recovering some ground, trading just under 0.7% lower by midday as investors weighed improving vehicle demand, growing software and energy businesses, and renewed speculation about a potential merger.