how many tesla stocks does elon musk own
How many Tesla stocks does Elon Musk own
This article answers the question how many tesla stocks does elon musk own and explains what “ownership” means in public-company terms. You will learn how Musk’s Tesla (TSLA) stake is reported (direct shares, trusts and derivative awards), how to verify current figures in SEC filings, why different sources report different numbers, and how to interpret percentage ownership, voting power and market-value impact. For up-to-date numeric figures always check the SEC filings listed in the Sources and verification section; ownership numbers change with trades, vesting events and transfers.
Quick facts / Infobox
- Latest reported beneficial ownership (see Sources): check the most recent SEC Form 4/13D/13G filings for the exact current figure (ownership reported by filing date).
- Percentage of outstanding shares: varies depending on whether unvested awards and options are counted — verify via Tesla proxy statements and the SEC.
- Most recent reporting date: see the filing date on Musk’s Form 4 or Schedule 13D/13G in the EDGAR system for the authoritative “as of” date.
- Principal sources: SEC Form 3/4/5; Schedule 13D/13G; Tesla annual proxy statements; major financial press summaries.
- Market value at last close: multiply the reported number of shares (from SEC filings) by TSLA’s closing price on the date of interest. For a live market value check a market data provider; for custodial and trading services consider Bitget.
Note: This Quick facts box intentionally lists verification steps rather than a single numeric figure because Elon Musk’s holdings change frequently and the definitive source is the relevant SEC filing dated to the specific event.
Background
Tesla, Inc. (ticker: TSLA) is a U.S.-listed automaker and energy company whose corporate actions and executive holdings are publicly reported. Elon Musk is Tesla’s CEO and the company’s most prominent individual investor. When readers ask how many tesla stocks does elon musk own they are usually seeking the latest number of Tesla common shares that Musk beneficially owns (including shares registered in his name or held in trusts or entities he controls) and how that stake translates to percentage ownership and influence over corporate decisions.
Why this matters: the CEO’s ownership can align incentives with shareholders, affect voting control, and materially influence both corporate strategy and the CEO’s reported net worth. Because Musk has also received large compensation awards and performance-based options over time, the question how many tesla stocks does elon musk own has both an immediate answer (current beneficial shares) and a contingent answer (potential shares from options/awards).
Current ownership (composition)
This section explains the categories of holdings typically disclosed for a major shareholder such as Elon Musk and how to read filings to determine the present composition.
Direct ownership
Direct ownership refers to Tesla shares registered directly in Elon Musk’s name. These shares appear on SEC filings as shares registered to the individual and are often described in Form 4 filings when there is a purchase, sale or other reportable transaction. When readers ask how many tesla stocks does elon musk own, the direct ownership count is the most straightforward piece: it is the number of shares that are registered or otherwise reported as directly beneficially owned by Musk on the filing date. However, direct ownership alone may understate Musk’s beneficial interest if other holdings are reported under related entities or trusts.
How to confirm: look for Form 4 entries that list the issuer (Tesla), the reporting person (Elon Musk), and the number of shares owned after the transaction (the "amount of securities beneficially owned following reported transaction" field). The Form 4 also shows transactions (e.g., sales) that change the direct share count.
Indirect ownership (trusts and entities)
Indirect ownership covers shares held by trusts, family limited partnerships, LLCs or other entities where Musk has beneficial control. Filings often state that certain shares are owned by a revocable trust or similar vehicle and are beneficially owned by the reporting person. When readers ask how many tesla stocks does elon musk own, they generally expect these indirect holdings to be included in the total because SEC beneficial ownership rules aggregate beneficial ownership across accounts and entities under the person’s control.
Common situations: shares titled in revocable trusts that Musk controls; shares held by trusts for the benefit of family members; and institutional vehicles where beneficial ownership is attributed to Musk in SEC filings. Such holdings appear in Schedule 13D/13G or Form 4 disclosures with a description of the entity holding the shares.
Institutional or other vehicles (if applicable)
Institutional holdings are usually reported separately (and are not typically beneficially owned by an individual executive). However, if Musk controls a corporate vehicle that holds Tesla shares (for example, a private LLC), filings may disclose these shares under Musk’s beneficial ownership. Always check the filing footnotes to understand whether a reported holding is direct, indirect, or held via a controlled entity.
Ownership via options, restricted stock, and performance awards
Musk’s economic exposure to Tesla frequently goes beyond the shares he currently holds. Many senior executives receive compensation structured as options, restricted stock units (RSUs), or performance awards that vest and convert into common shares upon meeting time and performance conditions. These derivative holdings do not always show up as current shares but may be disclosed on the company proxy statement and within the reporting person’s Form 4 when options are exercised or stock is issued upon vesting.
How to treat them when asking how many tesla stocks does elon musk own:
- “Current ownership” usually refers to shares beneficially owned today (registered or beneficial).
- “Potential ownership” or “fully diluted basis” includes options and performance awards that are likely to convert into shares (if performance targets are met).
When analysts compute Musk’s stake on a fully diluted basis, they add in vested and vested-but-not-exercised options, unvested RSUs subject to probable vesting, and other convertible securities. That calculation changes the percentage ownership and potential voting power.
Percentage ownership and voting power
Reporting a raw share count answers only part of the question. Percentage ownership equals the number of shares a person beneficially owns divided by total outstanding common shares (or diluted shares for “fully diluted” percentages). Voting power depends on whether the company has multiple classes of common stock (different voting rights) or any voting agreements.
Tesla historically issued one class of common stock for public shareholders (identical voting rights), so percentage ownership generally maps directly to voting power. But proxy statements and SEC filings should be read to confirm any change in share structure or unusual voting arrangements. When readers ask how many tesla stocks does elon musk own, they often mean both the raw count and what percent of votes that count represents — both must be checked in the most recent proxy and SEC filings.
Note on dilution: Musk’s economic or control percentage can shrink if the company issues new shares (e.g., to raise capital or compensate employees) and can rise if he acquires additional shares. Options and unvested awards can be dilutive when they convert to shares.
Historical holdings and major transactions
Elon Musk’s Tesla stake has changed significantly over time due to early-stage investment, compensation grants, option exercises, public offerings and occasional sales. Below are the main epochs and events to help readers answer how many tesla stocks does elon musk own at different points.
Early investment and IPO-era holdings
Musk became a major Tesla investor in the company’s early growth phase and served as chairman in the early years, later becoming CEO. At the IPO and in subsequent years, Musk was one of the largest individual shareholders; early holdings established long-term alignment between his personal wealth and Tesla’s market performance.
Major grants, option awards and the 2018 compensation package
One of the most consequential events for Musk’s potential ownership was Tesla’s 2018 performance award package that, if performance and market-cap milestones were met, could convert into large numbers of shares (options) at defined exercise prices. Because those awards are tied to multi-year performance goals, they affect long-term potential share counts and the calculation of ownership on a fully diluted basis.
Recent awards, grants, purchases and sales
Musk has periodically sold shares (public sales in 2022–2023 to fund other activities and tax obligations were widely reported) and has also seen large tranches of awards vest when performance or time conditions were met. These sales and vesting events are reported in Form 4 filings and materially change the number of shares Musk beneficially owns. To answer how many tesla stocks does elon musk own today you must review the most recent Form 4 and any Schedule 13D filings.
Sources and verification (regulatory filings)
The authoritative records for Elon Musk’s Tesla ownership are public SEC filings. To verify how many tesla stocks does elon musk own:
- Check Form 4 filings for Musk on the SEC EDGAR database — Form 4 reports purchases, sales, exercises and other changes in a reporting person’s holdings and shows the number of shares beneficially owned after a reported transaction.
- Review Schedule 13D or 13G (beneficial ownership) filings if Musk or related entities make a qualifying acquisition or change in holdings; those schedules provide snapshot totals and sometimes narrative detail.
- Look at the company’s annual proxy statement (DEF 14A) for executive beneficial ownership tables; these present a consolidated view of shares and include footnotes about indirect holdings and unvested awards.
- For historic aggregation, check Form 3 (initial statement of beneficial ownership) and Form 5 (annual statement of changes in beneficial ownership) where applicable.
Regulatory filings are the gold standard. Third-party sites (financial news outlets and data aggregators) summarize this material, but the SEC filings provide the legally required disclosures that define the precise numbers as reported on a given date.
Example verification step: when you want to know how many tesla stocks does elon musk own right now, go to the SEC EDGAR search, search for "Elon Musk Form 4" and open the most recent filing. The filing fields show the number of shares owned after the transaction and any footnote describing the nature of the ownership (direct vs. indirect).
Calculation methodology and caveats
Understanding how to read ownership numbers requires attention to definitions and timing.
- Beneficial ownership: the SEC defines a beneficial owner as any person who, directly or indirectly, has or shares voting or investment power. Beneficial ownership aggregates shares across accounts and entities the person controls.
- Registered vs. beneficial: registered shares are those recorded in the owner’s name on the company’s books; beneficial ownership may include shares held in a trust or entity where the individual has control.
- Timing and reporting lags: Form 4 must be filed within two business days after a reportable transaction. Schedule 13D/13G reporting deadlines differ. Always check filing dates to know “as of” timing.
- Options and dilution: include options and other convertibles when you want a potential “fully diluted” ownership figure. Note that unvested awards may or may not be included depending on the reader’s objective and the likelihood of vesting.
- Transfers and gifts: gifts or transfers to family members or trusts can complicate a straightforward answer; filings will usually disclose whether holdings are shared or held for family members.
Common pitfalls when answering how many tesla stocks does elon musk own: news stories sometimes mix direct shares with potential shares from awards; others report ownership as of differing dates; still others report percentage ownership on an undiluted or fully diluted basis without clarifying which was used. Always check the filing date and whether a number includes derivative securities.
Market value and impact on Musk’s net worth
The market value of Musk’s Tesla holdings equals the number of shares he beneficially owns times Tesla’s market price at a given close. Because Tesla’s share price has historically been volatile, Musk’s market-value exposure can swing by billions of dollars in a short time. Major wealth trackers such as Forbes and Bloomberg rely on SEC filings for share counts and use real-time market prices to estimate net worth.
When readers ask how many tesla stocks does elon musk own they often want to understand how that holding contributes to his billionaire ranking. The key steps to estimate market exposure are:
- Obtain Musk’s reported beneficial share count from the most recent SEC filing.
- Multiply that share count by Tesla’s closing price on the date you want to measure.
- If you want a worst/best case or long-term view, calculate market value using several price points.
Remember: these are market valuations, not cash or liquid holdings. Unvested awards may be subject to forfeiture and large blocks can be illiquid without market impact.
Corporate governance and influence
Musk’s stake in Tesla gives him significant influence over corporate strategy, board composition and major shareholder votes. Even if he does not hold a majority stake, a large individual shareholding usually translates to meaningful de facto control because of influence over management and the board.
How to interpret this influence: consider both ownership percentage and the practical reality that the CEO sets strategic direction and often commands high levels of shareholder attention. When readers ask how many tesla stocks does elon musk own they usually want to gauge how much control Musk can exert—compare his beneficial ownership (as reported) to total outstanding shares and review the company’s proxy for any shareholder agreements or voting arrangements.
Legal, regulatory and public controversies
Musk’s Tesla ownership and transactions have attracted regulatory and public scrutiny at times. Notable themes have included:
- Disputes and litigation related to executive compensation awards (court challenges to the 2018 package in some jurisdictions have been widely reported).
- SEC scrutiny on disclosure and trading activity in past years; the SEC’s rules on required filing and public disclosure mean trades and transfers are visible to investors.
- High-profile public commentary or social-media statements by Musk that have caused market reaction; while these are not ownership changes per se, they interact with how markets value Musk’s stake and Tesla’s shares.
All reported controversies are documented in filings, court records and major financial press reports; when researching how many tesla stocks does elon musk own it is prudent to track both the regulatory filings (Form 4 etc.) and related news coverage for context.
Timeline of ownership (chronological highlights)
Below is a concise timeline structure showing the types of events that change Musk’s stake. For exact dates and share counts consult the cited SEC filings.
- Early 2000s–2010: Musk becomes a major investor and builds a substantial early stake in Tesla as the company grows.
- 2010 (IPO era): Musk reported as one of Tesla’s largest shareholders at the time of the IPO.
- 2018: Tesla board approves a performance-based compensation package for Musk that could (upon meeting market-cap and operational milestones) convert into a large number of shares or options.
- 2019–2021: Various vesting events and exercises affected Musk’s potential share count; securities filings and company proxy statements provide details.
- 2022–2023: Musk sold sizable blocks of Tesla shares in publicly reported transactions; filings show the dates and share counts.
- 2024 and onward: periodic sales, exercises and transfers continue to update his reported beneficial ownership — check the latest Form 4 for current totals.
(Each bullet above corresponds to one or more specific SEC filings and company disclosures; for precise counts and dates see Sources and verification.)
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Q: How can I verify how many tesla stocks does elon musk own?
A: The authoritative source is the SEC EDGAR database. Search Musk’s Form 4 filings and Tesla’s proxy statements; the filing date is the reference point for the reported number.
Q: Do option awards count toward his ownership?
A: Only if converted to common stock (exercised or vested) or if an analyst is calculating a fully diluted ownership percentage. Form 4 and the proxy’s beneficial ownership tables explain which awards are outstanding and whether they are included in reported totals.
Q: Why do numbers reported in news articles differ from SEC filings?
A: Differences usually reflect timing (news may report numbers as of a different date), whether unvested and unexercised awards are included, or errors in aggregation. Always confirm with the SEC filing date.
Q: Does Musk’s ownership give him majority control of Tesla?
A: That depends on the exact percentage at the time of inquiry. Historically he has been the largest individual shareholder, but absolute control depends on whether his stake exceeds a majority and on the voting structure of the company; check the most recent proxy for full details.
See also
- Tesla, Inc. (TSLA)
- SEC Form 4
- Schedule 13D/13G
- Executive compensation and performance awards
- Major financial press coverage (Forbes/Bloomberg) for net worth estimations
References
This article synthesizes the types of public disclosures and reputable financial reporting that document Elon Musk’s Tesla ownership. For the most current, date-stamped numbers, consult the following primary-source categories and example outlets:
- SEC filings (Form 3/4/5 and Schedule 13D/13G and company proxy statements) — check the SEC EDGAR database for filings by Elon Musk and for Tesla’s DEF 14A (proxy).
- Company proxy statements and Tesla investor relations disclosures.
- Major financial press and data aggregators that summarize filings: The Motley Fool, Investopedia, TipRanks, Capital.com, Forbes, and Wikipedia (as a secondary summary) — all commonly used for background.
Example reporting notes for context (dates as examples of reporting cadence):
- As of June 2024, major financial profiles and SEC filing summaries continue to show Musk as Tesla’s largest individual shareholder (source: SEC filings and summary reports).
Important: Whenever the article cites a numeric figure for how many tesla stocks does elon musk own, you should cross-check with the dated SEC filing linked in the Sources and verification section below.
External verification and where to check now
To confirm an exact number for how many tesla stocks does elon musk own:
- Open the SEC EDGAR database and search for filings by Elon Musk (Form 4) — review the most recent filing for the “shares beneficially owned” field.
- Check Tesla’s most recent DEF 14A (proxy statement) for the beneficial ownership table, which consolidates holdings and provides footnotes.
- For potential dilution, examine Tesla’s outstanding awards section and the notes on outstanding shares to compute a fully diluted percentage.
Notes on content maintenance
Ownership numbers change frequently due to trades, vesting, award exercises, transfers to trusts, gifts and reporting updates. This article focuses on explaining how to answer how many tesla stocks does elon musk own and how to verify those figures rather than providing a single static number that will be out of date. For investors and researchers: always time-stamp the figure you report and cite the specific SEC filing by document type and filing date.
How Bitget can help (brand mention and call to action)
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For continued tracking of Tesla’s market valuation (to compute the market value of a reported share count), check up-to-date market data feeds and the relevant SEC filings cited above.
Final guidance — practical steps to answer the core question now
- If you want an authoritative, current numeric answer to how many tesla stocks does elon musk own: open the SEC EDGAR search and pull Elon Musk’s latest Form 4 and Tesla’s latest DEF 14A.
- Note the filing date and whether the figure is direct beneficial ownership or includes indirect holdings (trusts/entities).
- If you want percentage ownership, divide the reported beneficial share count by Tesla’s outstanding shares as reported in the most recent 10-Q/10-K or proxy (or compute fully diluted percentages using notes on outstanding awards).
Further exploration: follow periodic Form 4 filings and proxy disclosures, and consult major financial reporting sites for summarized timelines. For anyone managing a multi-asset portfolio that includes securities and digital assets, Bitget’s platform and Bitget Wallet provide tools to view and manage assets securely.
Sources (examples of authoritative sources to consult for exact figures and dates): SEC EDGAR (Forms 3/4/5, Schedule 13D/13G, DEF 14A), company investor relations materials, and reputable financial press summaries (Motley Fool, Investopedia, TipRanks, Capital.com, Forbes, Wikipedia). For date-specific reporting, check the filing dates on the SEC documents referenced.
