SpaceX IPO sets $2.2 trillion valuation, spurs market and employee‑stock debate

SpaceX went public on June 12, 2026, selling shares at $135 each in what is being called the largest IPO in history. The offering assigned the company a market value of roughly $2.2 trillion, prompting analysts to question whether such a valuation is sustainable. Wall Street will begin coverage with price targets and revenue forecasts, while the inclusion of SpaceX in the Nasdaq‑100 is expected to trigger automatic buying by index‑tracking funds.

The IPO also unlocked large equity awards for employees. Restricted stock units, incentive stock options and non‑qualified options are now subject to vesting schedules, ordinary‑income tax at vesting, and potential alternative‑minimum‑tax exposure for ISOs. Share releases will occur in stages, beginning in late July and ending with a final lock‑up expiry on 8 December 2026.

The deal has rippled beyond aerospace, fueling speculation about a wave of high‑valuation listings in artificial‑intelligence firms such as OpenAI and Anthropic, and prompting warnings of a possible “IPO bubble” in the sector.