Musk’s $1B Tesla stock purchase lifts shares after tough first half

Elon Musk made a significant personal investment by purchasing approximately 2.57 million Tesla shares worth nearly $1 billion on September 12, 2025, marking his largest open-market buy since 2020. This move lifted Tesla’s stock by up to 7 percent in pre-market trading and helped the shares recover from a challenging first half of the year, during which Tesla’s vehicle deliveries fell 13 percent globally and its stock had dropped as much as 45 percent. Musk’s purchase, executed through his revocable trust and not a corporate buyback, slightly increased his stake and was seen as a show of confidence ahead of a shareholder vote on a proposed $1 trillion performance-based compensation plan tied to ambitious company milestones. Despite the positive market reaction, Tesla faces ongoing challenges including shrinking market share in the U.S. and Europe, declining shipments from its Shanghai factory, and increased competition in the electric vehicle sector. Tesla Chair Robyn Denholm publicly supported Musk’s leadership, emphasizing his role as