# Tesla Shares Fall as Market Weighs SpaceX Merger Rumors and Q3 Earnings

- URL: https://stocks.freetheai.org/news/tesla-shares-fall-as-market-weighs-spacex-merger-rumors-and-q3-earnings-b9919e
- Published: 2026-10-16T07:00:00Z
- Category: company_news; sentiment: mixed; impact: high
- Symbols: [NASDAQ:TSLA](https://stocks.freetheai.org/symbols/NASDAQ-TSLA)
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Tesla, Inc. (TSLA) stock dropped 1.29% to $362.40, extending a four-day decline amid a broader technology sell-off and market speculation about a potential all-stock merger with SpaceX. Elon Musk teased a pairing between the companies ahead of a December 6 shareholder meeting. Neither firm has confirmed talks, though analyst models value SpaceX at approximately $2.1 trillion. Meanwhile, Tesla shares jumped about 3% in after-hours trading following the reveal of its next-generation Roadster.

The structural shift comes as Tesla navigates ongoing EV market pressure, choosing to pause Model S and Model X sales to focus on its Cybercab and Optimus humanoid robot. However, China deliveries rose 5% year-over-year in September to 90,812 vehicles, marking 11 straight months of growth. The company is also scaling its energy segment, which generated $12.77 billion in 2025 revenue through Megapack facilities in Lathrop, Shanghai, and Texas.

Traders are preparing for volatility around Tesla's third-quarter earnings report scheduled for October 21 after market close, with options pricing implying a 5% stock move. Investors will also monitor progress on expansion plans at the Grünheide factory to double annual capacity to 1 million vehicles, alongside any formal updates regarding SpaceX deal discussions before the December vote.

## Key points

- Tesla, Inc. (TSLA) stock fell 1.29% to $362.40 amidst a tech sell-off and SpaceX merger speculation.
- Options pricing suggests an expected 5% stock move around Tesla's Q3 earnings report on October 21.
- September China deliveries grew 5% year-over-year to 90,812 vehicles, hitting 11 straight months of growth.
- Tesla paused Model S and X production to shift development toward Optimus robots and autonomous Cybercabs.

## Questions and answers

### Why did Tesla stock fall today?

Tesla stock fell amid a broader technology sell-off and market speculation concerning a potential all-stock merger with SpaceX ahead of Tesla's December 6 shareholder meeting.

### When is Tesla reporting Q3 earnings?

Tesla is scheduled to report its third-quarter earnings on October 21 after the market close, with options pricing implying approximately a 5% stock move.

### Is Tesla pausing production on any EV models?

Tesla paused production and sales for the Model S and Model X to reallocate manufacturing capacity toward Cybercab robotaxis and the Optimus humanoid robot.