SpaceX to make public debut on Wall Street: What to know

SpaceX will begin trading on Nasdaq on Friday, marking its public debut with 555.6 million shares offered at $135 each under the ticker SPCX. Elon Musk, the company’s founder and CEO, will retain control through a special class of shares, allowing him to influence strategic, financial, and personnel decisions. Musk celebrated the milestone by ringing the opening bell remotely from SpaceX’s Starbase facility in South Texas. The IPO is part of SpaceX’s plan to secure billions beyond its current revenue streams from rockets and satellites. The company has outlined ambitious goals, including establishing a one-million-person colony on Mars, building orbital data centers, and competing in AI development against rivals like Anthropic and OpenAI. Despite these aspirations, SpaceX reported an $8.7 billion loss between January 2025 and March 2026. Nasdaq expedited SpaceX’s inclusion in its indexes, allowing investors to purchase shares just 15 days after the listing. This move makes SpaceX the first of three major tech companies expected to go public this year, with Anthropic and OpenAI following suit. The company’s valuation and market reception will depend on its ability to balance high-risk ventures with sustainable growth. Musk reiterated his vision of making life multi-planetary, emphasizing that SpaceX aims to enable not just astronauts but everyday people to travel to the moon, Mars, and beyond. The IPO proceeds will be critical for funding these long-term objectives, though the company’s financial health remains a key concern for investors.