Cathie Wood Buys More SpaceX Stock as Shares Hit New Low

Key insights

• Cathie Wood SpaceX Stock purchases totaled 147,623 shares worth approximately $18.3 million on July 17.
• At the same time, ARK sold 26,002 shares of Robinhood while boosting its exposure to SpaceX.
• The postponed Starship Flight 13 launch intensified selling pressure, although investors remain divided over its long-term significance.

Cathie Wood SpaceX stock buying accelerated on July 17 after ARK Invest purchased about $18.3 million worth of SpaceX shares while the stock traded at a fresh post-IPO low. The move reinforced Wood’s strategy of adding to high-growth companies during sharp pullbacks, even as the firm reduced its exposure to Robinhood Markets on the same day.

The latest purchases came after SpaceX shares closed at $123.99, down 5.43% for the session after touching an intraday low of $122.12. The decline left the stock trading below its $135 initial public offering price as investors continued to react to operational setbacks and concerns over future selling pressure.

ARK expands its investment while trimming Robinhood

ARK Invest disclosed that it bought a combined 147,623 SpaceX shares across four actively managed exchange-traded funds.

The flagship ARK Innovation ETF accounted for the largest allocation with 95,129 shares, valued at about $11.8 million. The ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF purchased 30,464 shares worth around $3.78 million. Meanwhile, the ARK Space Exploration & Innovation ETF acquired 12,611 shares valued at nearly $1.56 million, while the ARK Next Generation Internet ETF added 9,419 shares worth about $1.17 million.

Here is every move Cathie Wood and Ark Invest made in the stock market today 7/17 pic.twitter.com/NnLPqF32qp

— Ark Invest Tracker (@ArkkDaily) July 18, 2026

The buying extended a broader accumulation campaign that began after SpaceX entered the public market in June. Earlier this month, ARK purchased roughly $52.1 million in SpaceX shares. Market tracking data also showed the firm invested approximately $444 million around the company’s market debut, lifting its total exposure above $475 million.

At the same time, ARK reduced its Robinhood position by selling 26,002 shares. The transactions included 20,089 shares from ARKW and 5,913 shares from ARKK. Robinhood ended Friday at $99.96, down 5.72%, although ARK did not disclose the reason for the sale.

Launch setback adds pressure but investors remain divided

The latest weakness followed the cancellation of Starship Flight 13 shortly before launch. Engineers detected ignition failures in at least two Raptor engines on the Super Heavy booster during pre-flight testing, forcing SpaceX to halt the mission minutes before liftoff.

Elon Musk later said the company would replace the affected engines before attempting another launch. SpaceX subsequently rescheduled Flight 13 for July 20 at 6.45 p.m. ET.

The delay triggered mixed reactions across the investment community.

• Cognitive scientist Gary Marcus argued the falling share price reflected growing concerns about Musk’s leadership and suggested another record low appeared more likely than a dramatic collapse.
• Tesla investor Sawyer Merritt disagreed and described the selloff as an overreaction. He argued that a launch delay of only a few days does not materially change SpaceX’s long-term outlook.

The contrasting views highlight the uncertainty surrounding the stock only weeks after its market debut.

Long-term conviction faces a major market test

Cathie Wood SpaceX Stock purchases fit a familiar investment strategy. Wood has consistently increased exposure to companies she believes offer disruptive long-term growth whenever short-term events pressure valuations.

SpaceX, however, faces more than operational challenges. Investors also remain cautious about the company’s rising artificial intelligence spending following the acquisition of xAI. Furthermore, an impending lockup that will see approximately 20% of outstanding shares coming to market will keep markets focused, creating additional selling pressure.

But Wood has been steadfast in her conviction over those risks. Her investment philosophy is focused on technological innovation and productivity, as well as creating long-term value through a volatile market.

This approach has had mixed success over the past few years. ARK Innovation has been a stellar performer in strong technology rallies and had huge losses during market declines. Nevertheless, the current weakness is seen as a buying opportunity, not a structural downturn, by the firm.

Market outlook is highly connected with execution

Cathie Wood SpaceX stockholders now focus more on SpaceX’s upcoming operational achievements. Investors are eager to see the Starship mission and any updates on Starship’s expansion plans.

The recent acquisitions also highlight ARK Invest’s commitment to stepping up its exposure under prevailing market sentiment. It is likely that whether that conviction is correct or incorrect will be influenced by SpaceX’s success with launches, as well as with business execution and regaining investor confidence. 

Conclusion

Cathie Wood’s new acquisitions confirm ARK Invest’s ongoing faith in the rocket company SpaceX, despite its recent plummet in the stock market below the IPO price. Instead, during periods of heightened volatility, the company chose to add to their holdings, rather than cut back, but to lighten their exposure to Robinhood, which indicates their long-term growth interest.

Investor sentiment may be key in coming weeks. There’s a good chance that SpaceX’s 13th planned Starship test flight, as well as its general efforts to execute on its growth plan, will be the deciding factor in whether the recent sell-off is a blip in the road or the start of longer-term correction.