Updated
Updated · CNBC · Jul 16
Short Sellers Build $25 Billion Bet Against SpaceX as July Stock Slide Reaches 20%
Updated
Updated · CNBC · Jul 16

Short Sellers Build $25 Billion Bet Against SpaceX as July Stock Slide Reaches 20%

3 articles · Updated · CNBC · Jul 16

Summary

  • 185 million SpaceX shares are now sold short—about 29% of the public float—up from roughly 40 million shares just three weeks ago, according to S3 Partners.
  • A 20% July drop has fueled the bearish buildup, with the stock briefly falling below its $135 IPO price on Wednesday before trading around $136.
  • Only about 5% of SpaceX's 13 billion shares were initially tradable, and investors are bracing for lockup expirations that could sharply expand supply over coming months.
  • KeyBanc estimates the first major unlock could arrive around second-quarter earnings, when about 11% of outstanding shares may become eligible for sale.
  • Thursday's 13th Starship test flight is the next near-term catalyst that could shift sentiment toward the stock.

Insights

Can Thursday's Starship flight defy the $25 billion in bets against SpaceX stock?
With $90B in cash and major AI deals, are bears ignoring the real value of SpaceX?