Two Lockups, Two Very Different Setups
The first lockup expiration (August 6) hit when SpaceX was trading near its post-IPO lows, down nearly 20% from the $135 IPO price. With insiders largely underwater, their incentive to sell was limited. Sidelined buyers quietly accumulated into the fear, ultimately triggering a FOMO-driven surge that caught most of the market offside.
This time, the setup is fundamentally different. After the post-lockup rally, early investors are sitting on substantial unrealized gains, and the motivation to take profits is meaningfully stronger. The lockup tranche may be smaller, but the question the market now has to answer is harder: at these levels, is there still enough buying demand to absorb the supply?
If selling pressure is absorbed smoothly once again, the "bad news is priced in" dynamic could trigger another leg higher, pushing toward the $150 resistance zone. If profit-taking comes in concentrated waves, volatility will spike sharply. Today's close will be the verdict.