SpaceX rebounds from post-earnings slide as investors eye lockup expiry

On August 6, SpaceX's stock surged during heavy trading as the number of publicly tradable shares nearly doubled, following the expiry of the first lockup period. The company's shares climbed 1.4% to $109.86, with over $23 billion in trading volume by midday, marking the busiest session since its July 7 listing on the Nasdaq 100.

While SpaceX's initial public offering was the largest in U.S. history, only about 5% of its shares were initially available for trading. However, a series of insider sale restrictions are set to expire over the next few months, with Thursday marking the first release. Rank-and-file employees and some early investors can now sell 911.5 million shares, in addition to the nearly 639 million shares sold during the IPO.

This release will raise SpaceX's float of tradable shares to 40% of the company, up from 5% previously. The remaining 60%, including Elon Musk's stake, will remain locked until mid-2027. SpaceX's stock has fallen since its debut, down about 14% on Wednesday after a quarterly report raised concerns about the company's losses and AI spending plans.

Analysts view the upcoming lockup expirations as potentially negative for share prices, as insiders may sell or invest elsewhere to lock in profits. Despite the volatility, SpaceX's long-term prospects remain a point of optimism for some investors, who believe the company's efficiency in launch and satellite technology could lead to $1 trillion in revenue by 2030.