#spacx Why a Potential Merger Between Tesla and SpaceX Could Benefit SpaceX’s Stock Price
If Tesla and SpaceX were to merge, it would more likely benefit SpaceX’s stock price in the short term. After SpaceX went public, it fell below its $135 IPO price and is facing lock-up expiration pressure from early investors and employees’ shares. The market needs a new valuation catalyst. A merger could repackage SpaceX—from a space company—into a comprehensive technology platform spanning rockets, Starlink, artificial intelligence, energy storage, and autonomous driving.
This kind of integration is not without precedent. SpaceX has acquired xAI, and Tesla has also invested $2 billion in SpaceX. In addition, there are existing business linkages between the two, such as Megapack, the Cybertruck, and Grok. After the merger, SpaceX could gain Tesla’s manufacturing and energy capabilities as well as its investor base, providing both funding and industrial support for capital-intensive space-based AI initiatives.
From Musk and the capital side, the real goal may be to strengthen control, reduce controversy over intercompany related-party transactions, and sustain SpaceX’s high valuation with a new narrative of a “full-stack technology empire.” Due to years of equity dilution at Tesla, Musk’s control over Tesla has been limited, and he has reportedly been dissatisfied. He holds more than 40% of SpaceX equity and more than 80% of the voting power (Class B shares).
According to a report in The Wall Street Journal citing a person familiar with the matter, some Tesla executives have been told to prepare to divest its China business, paving the way for a potential merger with SpaceX. During last week’s earnings call, Musk acknowledged that business overlap among his companies has been increasing, but he said the merger is not something he can discuss on Tesla’s earnings call. Musk has previously talked about the “integration” of his companies.
The Wall Street Journal noted that separating Tesla’s China operations (including its Shanghai plant) from SpaceX’s operations would help address potential conflicts of interest arising from SpaceX’s role as a major U.S. defense contractor. The deal is intended to create a firewall between Tesla’s China subsidiary and its U.S. businesses.
https://www.wsj.com/business/autos/tesla-weighs-sale-of-china-business-to-pave-way-for-potential-spacex-merger-5ae26026