Elon Musk says this part of Tesla ‘makes no sense’
AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication
Elon Musk has questioned Moody's credit assessments after SpaceX received a Baa1 investment-grade rating, two notches above Tesla's Baa3. Moody's cited SpaceX's leadership in orbital launches and growing revenue from its Starlink satellite network. Musk responded, stating Tesla's credit rating is "ridiculously low" given its $40B in cash, no debt, and consistent profitability. Tesla maintains a leading position in the global EV market and generated $1.4 billion in positive free cash flow in Q1 2026. The company's strong liquidity and solid profitability were acknowledged by Moody's, but challenges in the automotive segment were noted. Musk's critique highlights the debate about traditional rating methodologies for high-growth technology companies, with both SpaceX and Tesla having investment-grade ratings.
💡 Why It Matters
- · Musk's critique underscores the limitations of traditional credit rating methodologies in evaluating innovative companies.
- · The discrepancy between SpaceX and Tesla's ratings sparks debate about how to accurately assess corporate strength in the tech industry.