ARK Invest buys up SpaceX: $500 million position and 19% surge on listing day
On June 15, Cathie Wood's ARK Invest executed a massive transaction, acquiring nearly 3.3 million shares of SpaceX on the day of its initial public offering. This move demonstrates the confidence of ARK analysts in the long-term potential of Elon Musk's space giant.
By the end of the first trading session, the value of the accumulated position exceeded $500 million. The shares were priced at $135 each, and by market close, they had risen to $160.95, representing an increase of more than 19.2% in a single day. Such a rapid surge confirms the high demand from institutional investors for SpaceX shares.
The bulk of the purchase was allocated to the flagship ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK), where SpaceX's share accounted for 3.28% of the total portfolio. This is a significant signal: Wood and her team see SpaceX not just as a space startup, but as a key element of the future technological ecosystem—from Starlink satellite internet to interplanetary transportation.
My professional commentary: ARK Invest's decision to enter SpaceX on its IPO day is a classic play for long-term market outperformance. The 19% gain on the first day only confirms that investors are willing to pay a premium for access to unique assets that control entire industries. However, it is worth remembering that SpaceX remains a high-risk investment: its $180 billion valuation already includes future revenues from Starlink, which are still unstable. Nevertheless, for those who believe in space expansion, this is undoubtedly one of the most promising instruments on the market.