Elon Musk buys nearly $1bn in Tesla stock in push for more control

Core Insights - Elon Musk has purchased nearly $1 billion worth of Tesla stock, reinforcing his control over the company [1] - Tesla shares rose over 8% in premarket trading following Musk's stock purchase [1] - The company is transitioning from an electric vehicle maker to a technology leader, focusing on robotaxis, artificial intelligence, and robotics [1] Stock Purchase Details - Musk acquired 2.57 million shares at prices ranging from $372.37 to $396.54 per share [2] - Following the stock purchase, Tesla shares increased by more than 7% on Friday, continuing a trend of gains [2] - Despite being down about 2% this year, the stock is poised for a third consecutive session of gains if premarket trends hold [2] Governance and Leadership - Musk has sought a larger stake and increased voting power, threatening to develop AI and robotics products outside of Tesla if he does not receive 25% voting power [3] - Tesla's board proposed a trillion-dollar compensation plan for Musk, indicating strong confidence in his leadership despite challenges in the market [3] Market Concerns - Board chair Robyn Denholm addressed concerns regarding Musk's political activities affecting sales, stating he is now "front and center" at Tesla [4] - Musk's political engagements and public disputes with Donald Trump have raised investor concerns about potential distractions and lost sales [4]