Musk’s Favorite Ticker Is Free for Taking in a SpaceX-Tesla Deal
Elon Musk describes a merger between Tesla and SpaceX as "a good idea," though he notes the deal faces a "quite a high hurdle" requiring 1.98 billion "yes" votes. The potential combination could utilize the "X" stock ticker, which became available after Nippon Steel acquired United States Steel. While some analysts argue the move makes strategic sense, others suggest SpaceX requires nearly double its current growth to align with Tesla. Tesla recently lowered its 2026 capital expenditure guidance to $20 billion from over $25 billion amid these discussions.
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- ✓ Elon Musk stated a Tesla-SpaceX merger is "a good idea" but requires 1.98 billion "yes" votes.
- ✓ The X stock ticker is available following Nippon Steel's purchase of United States Steel.
- ✓ Tesla reduced its 2026 capex guidance to $20 billion from over $25 billion.
What changed
Tesla reduced its 2026 capex guidance to $20 billion following Musk's comments on the merger.
Live updates
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Elon Musk Weighs SpaceX and Tesla Merger as X Ticker Becomes Available
Elon Musk describes a merger between Tesla and SpaceX as "a good idea," though he notes the deal faces a "quite a high hurdle" requiring 1.98 billion "yes" votes. The potential combination could utilize the "X" stock ticker, which became available after Nippon Steel acquired United States Steel. While some analysts argue the move makes strategic sense, others suggest SpaceX requires nearly double its current growth to align with Tesla. Tesla recently lowered its 2026 capital expenditure guidance to $20 billion from over $25 billion amid these discussions.
Why it matters
A merger would combine Musk's primary electric vehicle and aerospace ventures into a single entity. Such a move could significantly alter the composition of the S&P 500. The availability of the X ticker provides a branding opportunity for the combined company.
What is confirmed
- Elon Musk stated a Tesla-SpaceX merger is "a good idea" but requires 1.98 billion "yes" votes.
- The X stock ticker is available following Nippon Steel's purchase of United States Steel.
- Tesla reduced its 2026 capex guidance to $20 billion from over $25 billion.
Still unconfirmed
- SpaceX needs nearly 2x growth for the merger to make strategic sense.
What to watch next
- Confirmation of the required vote threshold for Tesla shareholders
- Official announcement regarding the acquisition of the X ticker
- Updated growth metrics for SpaceX relative to Tesla
confidence 80%Sources used for this update (18)
- www.fool.com — Forget the Recent Delivery Beat: Here's the Key Number That Will Decide Investors' Reaction to Tesla's Earnings | The Motley Fool
- www.marketbeat.com — Top Biotech Stocks To Research - October 14th | MarketBeat
- Los Angeles Times — Commentary: Who would gain from a merger of Musk's SpaceX and Musk's Tesla? Take a wild guess
- pro.thestreet.com — A Tech Led Rebound to Kick Off the Week
- Bloomberg.com — Musk’s Favorite Ticker Is Free for Taking in a SpaceX-Tesla Deal
- CNBC — SpaceX, Tesla and Anthropic may reshape the S&P 500—but not right away
- Yahoo Finance — Tesla Closed Up 4% at $407. Here’s What a SpaceX Merger Could Mean for Your Shares.
- 24/7 Wall St. — Musk Says A Tesla-SpaceX Merger Is "A Good Idea," But Admits It Would Require 1.98 Billion "Yes" Votes. He Calls It "Quite A High Hurdle"
- Yahoo Finance — Tesla-SpaceX Merger ‘Does Make Strategic Sense,’ Analyst Says — But SpaceX Needs Nearly 2x The Growth
- Fundstrat Direct — What Would A Tesla-SpaceX Merger Mean For Shareholders?
- Barron's — 3 Questions to Answer Before a Possible Tesla and SpaceX Merger
- thenextweb.com — The X ticker is free as Musk weighs a SpaceX-Tesla merger - TNW
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