SpaceX seeing some interest from short sellers, but many still afraid to bet against Musk
SpaceX's stock has fallen 28% from its peak, but short sellers are hesitant to bet against CEO Elon Musk. Only 5-7% of the company's float is sold short.
Intelligence analysis by Llama 3.3 70B

Despite a sharp pullback, short sellers are reluctant to bet against SpaceX due to Elon Musk's influence and the company's passionate retail investor base.
Imagine you're at a casino and you see a really popular slot machine that everyone loves. Even if you think it's not the best machine, you might not want to bet against it because so many people like it and it might still pay out. That's kind of what's happening with SpaceX - even though the stock price has gone down, people are still hesitant to bet against it because they like the company and its leader, Elon Musk.
Analysis
The Short Selling Conundrum
SpaceX's recent stock performance has been marked by a significant pullback, with the company's valuation shedding hundreds of billions of dollars in just over a week. However, this decline has not emboldened short sellers to bet against the company, with only about 40 million shares currently sold short. This represents a relatively modest 5-7% of the company's publicly tradable float.
The lack of short selling interest in SpaceX can be attributed to the company's strong growth story and the influence of CEO Elon Musk. Many traders appear reluctant to press short positions against a company that remains one of the market's most closely followed growth stories, with a passionate retail investor base. Even some of Wall Street's best-known skeptics, such as Michael Burry, have stayed on the sidelines, opting not to bet against SpaceX.
The Role of Elon Musk
Elon Musk's reputation and influence in the market play a significant role in the reluctance of short sellers to bet against SpaceX. Musk's track record of success with companies like Tesla and PayPal has earned him a loyal following among investors, who are hesitant to bet against him. Additionally, Musk's active presence on social media and his ability to shape the narrative around his companies have made it difficult for short sellers to gain traction.
Market Implications
The lack of short selling interest in SpaceX has significant implications for the market. With many traders hesitant to bet against the company, the stock price may be subject to less downward pressure, potentially limiting the scope of any further declines. However, this also means that the stock may be more susceptible to upward momentum, as the lack of short selling interest reduces the potential for a short squeeze. As the market continues to evolve, it will be important to monitor the dynamics surrounding SpaceX and the role of short sellers in shaping the company's stock price.
Key points
- SpaceX's stock has fallen 28% from its peak
- Only 5-7% of the company's float is sold short
- Elon Musk's influence and the company's growth story are deterring short sellers
If SpaceX can continue to execute on its growth strategy and deliver strong financial performance, the stock price may recover and even surpass its previous highs. The company's passionate retail investor base and the influence of Elon Musk could also help to drive upward momentum in the stock price.
If SpaceX is unable to deliver on its growth promises or experiences significant setbacks, the stock price could continue to decline. The lack of short selling interest could also make the stock more susceptible to upward momentum, potentially leading to a bubble that could eventually burst.



