SpaceX went public on Friday, June 12, 2026, in the biggest initial public offering ever, raising $75 billion and pushing the company’s valuation past $2 trillion. While the IPO made Elon Musk a trillionaire, regular people across the United States also participated in the historic event, with profits ranging from a few dollars to several million.
SpaceX stock began trading on Nasdaq shortly before noon on Friday at an opening price of $150. Trading closed at 4:00 p.m. ET, marking a milestone for both institutional and retail investors who managed to secure shares in the highly anticipated offering.
Main developments
The SpaceX IPO attracted massive interest from retail investors hoping to participate in what many considered a historic moment for the stock market. Platforms like Robinhood offered access to shares, though demand far exceeded available allocations.
Daniella Rodriguez, a 23-year-old from Miami who works in advertising, experienced the challenge of securing shares firsthand. She requested five shares at $135 but was allocated only one. Rodriguez sold her share 17 minutes after trading began, walking away with a $24 profit.
“I love to be a part of something that’s historical in the stock market. If you can cop $1 while you’re at it, why not?” Rodriguez said.
For Rodriguez, the modest profit represented a solid return. “Investing and trading is a game of probabilities. If I can take a 15%-18% profit, then I think that’s phenomenal,” she explained.
The high demand for shares did not surprise her. “There’s millions of people trying to get in on it, so it makes sense. I’m happy to be a part of it,” Rodriguez said.
What we know so far
Elon Musk serves as chairman, CEO and controlling shareholder of SpaceX. The IPO raised $75 billion, making it the largest initial public offering in history and pushing the company’s valuation beyond $2 trillion.
Retail investors received small share allocations through trading platforms, with many receiving fewer shares than they requested due to overwhelming demand. The opening stock price of $150 gave early sellers an opportunity to secure quick profits.
For some participants, the SpaceX IPO represented far more than quick trading gains. Robert, a former SpaceX engineer living in Arizona who is approximately 60 years old, saw his company equity transform into life-changing wealth.
Robert worked at SpaceX for five years and received equity as part of his compensation. He owns tens of thousands of company shares, which became worth over $4 million when trading closed on Friday.
“I thought if I was lucky, they might be worth a million. The fact that it’s worth more than that, I’m kind of blown away,” Robert said.
A former employee’s journey from struggle to millions
Robert’s story illustrates the dramatic financial impact the IPO had on some former employees. Before joining SpaceX and accumulating equity, Robert faced significant financial uncertainty.
“Before I got the job at SpaceX and before I accumulated this equity, I questioned whether I would have ever been able to retire. This is actually going to have a generational impact on my family,” Robert said.
At his lowest point financially, Robert had only $12 to his name. The transformation from that moment to holding shares worth over $4 million represents a remarkable change in circumstances.
“Having this has really changed my life,” Robert said.
Young investors embrace the moment
College students also participated in the historic offering. Forde Todd, a 20-year-old student from Devon, Pennsylvania, requested three shares through Robinhood and received all three. By the close of trading, Todd had made around $250 in profit.
Todd’s motivation combined financial opportunity with genuine enthusiasm for space exploration. “I am kind of sold on the idea of going to the stars. It’s hard not to be kind of tantalized by the idea of sending rockets to space,” Todd said.
His expectations going into the IPO were modest. “I was just kind of thinking I could make a few bucks and pay for my Sweetgreen for lunch and call it a day. I had a great lunch, and that was kind of my reward for the IPO,” Todd said.
Looking forward, Todd expressed confidence in the company’s direction. “I’m just optimistic about the future with SpaceX. This is new. Like, quite literally, this is out of this world,” Todd said.
The case for young investors entering the market
Rodriguez, who works full time in advertising while also trading, emphasized the importance of young people participating in the stock market.
“I think it is so important for people in their 20s to really start getting involved with the market, because there’s just so much opportunity and really there’s so much benefit,” Rodriguez said.
Her experience with the SpaceX IPO, while yielding a modest $24 profit, represented participation in a significant financial milestone. The 15%-18% return she achieved in 17 minutes of holding the stock met her investment criteria.
Important details
The SpaceX IPO on Friday raised $75 billion, establishing a new record for the largest initial public offering ever. The company’s valuation exceeded $2 trillion following the offering.
Stock trading began on Nasdaq shortly before noon on Friday, June 12, 2026, at an opening price of $150 per share. Trading concluded at 4:00 p.m. ET.
Retail investors accessed shares through platforms like Robinhood, though allocations were limited due to demand far exceeding available shares. Rodriguez requested five shares but received only one, while Todd received all three shares he requested.
Frequently asked questions
How much did the SpaceX IPO raise?
The SpaceX IPO raised $75 billion, making it the biggest initial public offering ever. The offering pushed the company’s valuation past $2 trillion.
What was the SpaceX opening stock price?
SpaceX stock began trading on Nasdaq at an opening price of $150 per share on Friday, June 12, 2026. Trading started shortly before noon and closed at 4:00 p.m. ET.
Could retail investors buy SpaceX stock in the IPO?
Retail investors could access SpaceX shares through platforms like Robinhood, though many received smaller allocations than they requested due to overwhelming demand for the historic offering.
Did the SpaceX IPO make Elon Musk a trillionaire?
Yes, the SpaceX IPO made Elon Musk a trillionaire. Musk serves as chairman, CEO and controlling shareholder of SpaceX.
The SpaceX IPO on Friday represented different things to different participants. For retail investors like Rodriguez and Todd, it offered a chance to participate in a historic market event and secure modest profits. For former employees like Robert who accumulated equity during their tenure at the company, it transformed years of work into substantial wealth. The offering attracted millions of interested investors, with demand far exceeding the shares available to retail participants.
