Elon Musk, the Chief Executive Officer of Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ: TSLA), recently communicated that he has not sold any shares of his electric vehicle company for a period exceeding three years. In fact, Musk has taken the opposite approach by actively acquiring additional shares, having invested nearly $1 billion in Tesla stock over the past year.
The announcement came in response to a social media exchange, where, replying to a post on platform X, Musk specified that he has "not sold stock for about 3 years" and revealed his substantial purchase of Tesla shares, amounting to approximately $1 billion in the previous year. This figure aligns with official data from SEC filings, which indicate Musk acquired over 2.57 million Tesla shares at a price point near $389 per share.
It is important to note that Musk's prior sales of Tesla shares occurred back in 2022, a timeframe which fits the described interval without stock disposition. His recent purchase activity demonstrates a committed investment stance, potentially reflecting confidence in Tesla's future operational and financial performance.
Simultaneously, Tesla has introduced a new lithium refining plant in the United States, distinguished as the first facility of its kind and touted as the largest lithium refinery in North America. The primary function of this facility is to extract Lithium Oxide from Spodumene, a naturally occurring ore that serves as a key source of lithium. This advancement is poised to enhance Tesla’s capabilities in lithium sourcing, a crucial element for powering its electric vehicles and especially supportive of its expanding energy storage solutions.
In contrast to Musk's positive investment posture, industry commentary reflects a range of perspectives. Ross Gerber, co-founder of investment firm Gerber Kawasaki, expressed criticism suggesting that Musk’s associations, particularly with former President Donald Trump and his involvement in political campaigns, may have contributed in part to a broader contraction in the electric vehicle sector’s momentum.
Conversely, Cathie Wood, the CEO of investment firm ARK Invest, has identified promising prospects in Musk's aerospace venture, SpaceX. Wood characterized SpaceX as a potential "trillion-dollar company" and indicated ongoing discussions surrounding a possible initial public offering (IPO) in the near term. It is noteworthy that ARK Invest recently sold over 86,000 shares of Tesla stock, valued at approximately $37.8 million.
From a market perspective, Tesla's stock performance exhibits factors of strength and resilience. According to Benzinga Edge Rankings, TSLA holds favorable scores for momentum and demonstrates a positive price trajectory over medium and long-term horizons. Nonetheless, recent trading activity registered slight downward movements, with the stock closing at $437.50 on January 16, 2026, followed by a minimal reduction during after-hours trading.
Overall, Musk’s declaration of no recent stock sales and significant share purchases, coupled with Tesla’s pioneering developments in lithium processing, signal a continued strategic emphasis on growth and self-sufficiency. Simultaneously, divergent views on the CEO's influence within the broader electric vehicle sector and associated market dynamics underline a complex and evolving industry environment.