Shares of Tesla ( TSLA 4.28%) were moving higher today, overcoming a weak earnings report after CEO Elon Musk spent much of the earnings call pumping up the stock and making big promises about autonomy. As of 1:11 p.m. ET, the stock was up 4.7% on the news.

Tech companies sell the future, and few do so more determinedly than Tesla. During Wednesday night’s earnings conference call, for example, comparatively little time was spent discussing the latest vehicle numbers or the company's weaker-than-expected fourth-quarter results.

Tesla stock opened up 5.5% at $410.50 before slipping. The initial rise was a surprise for two reasons. For starters, earnings were relatively weak and guidance was “vague,” according to Morgan Stanley analyst Adam Jonas.