Elon Musk has confirmed that Starlink—a satellite broadband internet provider developed by his company SpaceX—will eventually go public. The exact details of the IPO have not been announced. Here's how investors in Canada can prepare for the big event.
Our selection of top picks is based on the same criteria as our annual Stock Trading Platform Awards. This is updated yearly to reflect changes in the market.
"Best for" picks are those we've evaluated to be best for specific product features or categories – you can read our full methodology here. If we show a "Promoted" pick, it's been chosen from among our commercial partners and is based on factors that include special features or offers, and the commission we receive.
This isn't an exhaustive list of all the trading platforms out there. What's best for you depends on your own investing strategy, budget and financial goals.
What we know about the Starlink IPO
SpaceX (which owns Starlink) has started accepting preorders for its satellite internet service, Starlink. In a tweet on February 8, CEO Elon Musk said that the company will go public once it can "predict cashflow reasonably well."
But it can take a while for businesses with new products to start seeing regular, predictable cashflow. So an IPO could still be a ways out.
On October 8, 2021, it was revealed that SpaceX has a market valuation of over $100 billion. An agreement was reached allowing existing investors to sell private stock in SpaceX for $560 each. Up to $755 million in stocks can be sold. Back in February, private stocks were worth 33% less at $419.99 each.
We'll update this page as soon as we know more.
Will SpaceX have an IPO?
In September 2021, rumours resurfaced that Starlink's parent company, SpaceX, might go public. This came after Elon Musk responded to a tweet that revealed an email he had sent to SpaceX employees back in 2013.
In the email, Musk explained why it would not be in the company's best interest to go public. His reasons included the volatility of the tech industry, his belief that the company's valuation had not yet peaked and the risk of lawsuits prompted by stock price drops.
Musk's short, cryptic response to the tweet—"A lot has happened in 8 years"—aroused speculation that his attitude towards taking SpaceX public had changed. An IPO could bring some much-needed capital into the company, which has recently suffered significant financial setbacks due to production problems and a turnover in senior management.
The rumours that SpaceX may go public have yet to be confirmed, but the event may not be ruled out.
Note: all dollar amounts on this page are in US dollars unless otherwise stated.
How to buy Starlink stock when it starts trading
Once Starlink goes public, you'll need a brokerage account to invest. Consider opening a brokerage account today so you're ready as soon as the stock hits the market.
Compare stock trading platforms.Use our comparison table to help you find a platform that fits your needs.
Open your brokerage account.Complete an application with your details.
Confirm your payment details.Fund your account.
Research the stock.Find the stock by name or ticker symbol and research it before deciding if it's a good investment for you.
Purchase now or later.Buy your desired number of stocks with a market order or use a limit order to delay your purchase until the stock reaches a desired price.
Will I be able to buy Starlink stock in Canada?
You won't be able to buy Starlink stocks on a Canadian stock exchange like the TSX. Instead, you need a Canadian broker that provides access to international stock exchanges.
Interactive Brokers provides access to many stock exchanges outside North America like the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (SEHK), Korea Stock Exchange (KSE), National Stock Exchange of India (NSE), Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FWB) and London Stock Exchange (LSE).
It's impossible to predict how any stock will perform — and IPOs can be particularly volatile. Looking at the performance of similar companies can help you decide if now is a good time to buy Starlink stock.
See how the following stocks are performing, and view details like market capitalization, the price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio, price/earnings-to-growth (PEG) ratio and dividend yield.
Company summary
Charter Communications, Inc. operates as a broadband connectivity and cable operator company serving residential and commercial customers in the United States. The company offers subscription-based internet, video, and mobile and voice services; a suite of broadband connectivity services, including fixed internet, WiFi, and mobile; Advanced WiFi services; Spectrum Security Shield; in-home WiFi, which provides customers with high performance wireless routers and managed WiFi services to enhance their fixed wireless internet experience; out-of-home WiFi; and Spectrum WiFi services. It also offers voice communications services using voice over internet protocol technology; and broadband communications solutions, such as internet access, data networking, fiber connectivity, video entertainment, and business telephone services to cellular towers and office buildings for business and carrier organizations. In addition, the company provides mobile services; video programming, static IP and business WiFi, voice, and e-mail and security services; sells local advertising across various platforms for networks, such as TBS, CNN, and ESPN; sells advertising inventory to local sports and news channels; and offers Audience App to create data-driven linear TV campaigns for local advertisers. Further, the company offers communications products and managed service solutions; data connectivity services to mobile and wireline carriers on a wholesale basis; and owns and operates regional sports networks and news channels. It serves approximately 32 million customers in 41 states. Charter Communications, Inc.was founded in 1993 and is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut.
AT&T Inc. provides telecommunications and technology services worldwide. The company operates through two segments, Communications and Latin America. The Communications segment offers wireless voice and data communications services; and sells handsets, wireless data cards, wireless computing devices, carrying cases/protective covers, and wireless chargers through its own company-owned stores, agents, and third-party retail stores. It also provides Virtual Private Networks, AT&T Dedicated Internet, Ethernet, data services, cloud solutions, outsourcing, and managed professional services, as well as customer premises equipment for multinational corporations, small and mid-sized businesses, governmental, and wholesale customers. In addition, this segment offers broadband services, including fiber connections, legacy telephony voice communication services, and other VoIP services and equipment to residential customers. This segment markets its communications services and products under the AT&T, AT&T Business, Cricket, AT&T PREPAID, and AT&T Fiber brand names. The Latin America segment provides postpaid and prepaid wireless services in Mexico under the AT&T and Unefon brand names, as well as sells smartphones through its owned stores, agents and third-party retail stores. The company was formerly known as SBC Communications Inc. and changed its name to AT&T Inc. in 2005. AT&T Inc. was incorporated in 1983 and is based in Dallas, Texas.
Tesla, Inc. designs, develops, manufactures, leases, and sells electric vehicles, and energy generation and storage systems in the United States, China, and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Automotive, and Energy Generation and Storage. The Automotive segment offers electric vehicles, as well as sells automotive regulatory credits; and non-warranty after-sales vehicle, used vehicles, body shop and parts, supercharging, retail merchandise, and vehicle insurance services. This segment also provides sedans and sport utility vehicles through direct and used vehicle sales, a network of Tesla Superchargers, and in-app upgrades; purchase financing and leasing services; services for electric vehicles through its company-owned service locations and Tesla mobile service technicians; and vehicle limited warranties and extended service plans. The Energy Generation and Storage segment engages in the design, manufacture, installation, sale, and leasing of solar energy generation and energy storage products, and related services to residential, commercial, and industrial customers and utilities through its website, stores, and galleries, as well as through a network of channel partners; and provision of service and repairs to its energy product customers, including under warranty, as well as various financing options to its solar customers. The company was formerly known as Tesla Motors, Inc. and changed its name to Tesla, Inc. in February 2017. Tesla, Inc. was incorporated in 2003 and is headquartered in Austin, Texas.
Canadians who earn dividends from US stock investments must pay the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) a 15% withholding tax on their earnings. The rate goes down to 10% for bonds and other interest-yielding US investments.
An exception is made for stock investments held in trusts designed to provide retirement income. This includes RRIFs, LIRAs, LIFs, LRIFs and Prescribed RRIFs. RRSPs that hold US stocks, bonds or ETFs are also exempt from US withholding tax. RESPs, TFSAs and RDSPs are not exempt.
Canadian and international investment income must be declared on your Canadian tax return. Unless your US earnings are exempt from withholding tax, this means you'll be taxed by both the IRS and the CRA. The CRA may allow you to claim foreign tax credits for any taxes you've already paid to the IRS.
Speak with a tax professional to find out what rules and exceptions apply in your circumstances.
Buy stocks from these online trading platforms
Compare special offers, low fees and a wide range of investment options among top trading platforms.
Note: The dollar amounts in the table below are in Canadian dollars.
1 - 4 of 4
Disclaimer: This information should not be interpreted as an endorsement of futures, stocks, ETFs, options or any specific provider, service or offering. It should not be relied upon as investment advice or construed as providing recommendations of any kind. Futures, stocks, ETFs and options trading involves substantial risk of loss and therefore are not appropriate for all investors. Trading forex on leverage comes with a higher risk of losing money rapidly. Past performance is not an indication of future results. Consider your own circumstances, and obtain your own advice, before making any trades.
Dawn Daniels is a freelance content strategist and SEO manager and former editor at Finder, specializing in investments and lending. Dawn has edited more than 50 published books, including personal finance titles that have become best sellers on the Amazon Top 100. She holds a BA in English language and literature from Cornell College.
A failed SPAC deal pulled the plug on this vertical farming company’s plans to go public. But you can buy stock in other sustainable farming companies.
How likely would you be to recommend finder to a friend or colleague?
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Very UnlikelyExtremely Likely
Required
Thank you for your feedback.
Our goal is to create the best possible product, and your thoughts, ideas and suggestions play a major role in helping us identify opportunities to improve.
Advertiser Disclosure
finder.com is an independent comparison platform and information service that aims to provide you with the tools you need to make better decisions. While we are independent, the offers that appear on this site are from companies from which finder.com receives compensation. We may receive compensation from our partners for placement of their products or services. We may also receive compensation if you click on certain links posted on our site. While compensation arrangements may affect the order, position or placement of product information, it doesn't influence our assessment of those products. Please don't interpret the order in which products appear on our Site as any endorsement or recommendation from us. finder.com compares a wide range of products, providers and services but we don't provide information on all available products, providers or services. Please appreciate that there may be other options available to you than the products, providers or services covered by our service.
We update our data regularly, but information can change between updates. Confirm details with the provider you're interested in before making a decision.
