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MSCI slaps SpaceX CCC ESG rating as IPO soars

6/22/2026

39 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

MSCI assigned SpaceX a CCC ESG rating on June 11, the lowest tier, before its IPO.
The rating cited exposure and poor ESG risk management, giving SpaceX a 3.2/10 governance score and a 1/10 controversy score.
SpaceX’s $75 billion IPO closed up over 19% on day one, then shares fell about 9%.
Elon Musk called ESG a “scam” on X, noting that about 100 ETFs hold SpaceX but no ESG funds do.

History

Historical Context

In September 2015 the EPA cited Volkswagen for defeat-device software that let about 11 million diesel cars emit up to 40 times the legal nitrogen-oxide limit, triggering global regulatory probes. The episode set a precedent for ESG scrutiny, so on 11 June 2024 MSCI gave SpaceX a CCC rating and a 3.2/10 governance score, prompting the SEC and Nasdaq to weigh stricter disclosure rules.

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Story summary

MSCI assigned SpaceX a CCC ESG rating on June 11, the lowest tier, before its IPO.
The rating cited exposure and poor ESG risk management, giving SpaceX a 3.2/10 governance score and a 1/10 controversy score.
SpaceX’s $75 billion IPO closed up over 19% on day one, then shares fell about 9%.
Elon Musk called ESG a “scam” on X, noting that about 100 ETFs hold SpaceX but no ESG funds do.

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