SpaceX SPCX shares fell on Wednesday as a broader sell-off across US equities weighed on the space technology and artificial intelligence company, overshadowing the successful launch of its latest NASA resupply mission.
The stock was down over 2% at $153.22 at approximately 1:15 PM ET, extending losses after declining 4.21% in the previous session.
The weakness came despite SpaceX successfully launching the NASA SpaceX CRS-35 resupply mission on Tuesday. The launch created a glowing, jellyfish-shaped cloud that was visible across parts of the US Eastern Seaboard but failed to provide a boost to the stock.
Why is SpaceX stock falling?
SpaceX has not been immune to the macroeconomic uncertainty weighing on equities, with stronger-than-expected US inflation data adding to pressure on the market.
Around 1 p.m. ET, the S&P 500 was down more than 1%, while the technology-heavy Nasdaq Composite had fallen over 1.6%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was also lower, declining 0.36%.
The sell-off followed the release of September’s consumer price index (CPI), which showed that inflation remained elevated.
The CPI rose 0.6% on a seasonally adjusted basis from August to September, while the annual inflation rate accelerated to 3.7%. Economists had expected annual inflation of 3.6%.
The stronger reading intensified concerns that the Federal Reserve could keep interest rates higher for longer or raise them again as early as October.
Treasury yields moved higher following the report. The benchmark 10-year Treasury yield rose around seven basis points to 5.29%, while the 30-year yield climbed to 5.6%.
Rising bond yields can weigh on equities by making fixed-income investments more attractive and increasing borrowing costs. These pressures have added to the challenges facing technology companies as investors reassess valuations and the cost of financing expansion.
Successful launch fails to support shares
SpaceX’s latest decline follows a strong rally earlier in October, when the stock gained more than 7% in each of two sessions, on October 2 and October 5.
The consecutive advances pushed shares above $150 and then $170, with the stock reaching as high as $176.42.
After that sharp rise, Tuesday’s successful CRS-35 launch may have offered limited new impetus for the stock. One possible explanation is that routine operational achievements were already reflected in investor expectations following the recent rally.
The broader weakness in artificial intelligence-related stocks over the past two sessions has also added pressure, as investors reassess the sector amid rising yields and concerns over the cost of funding AI infrastructure.
Upcoming New York City hearing in focus
SpaceX is also due to testify before the New York City Council’s Committee on Technology on Friday, October 16, 2026, at 10 AM ET.
The agreement to testify follows an escalating legal dispute after the company ignored a subpoena concerning artificial intelligence safety risks.
The hearing adds another development for investors to monitor as SpaceX navigates scrutiny of its AI activities alongside the broader market pressures affecting its shares.
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