TLDR:
Nikola Corporation stock has plummeted over 99%, with shares trading at a mere 53 cents due to hitting the share cap and burning through $150 million each quarter. The company must rectify the situation or face the wrath of the stock market by implementing a reverse stock split, but shareholder re-voting could heighten investor concerns.
Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you a thrilling tale of the plummeting stock of Nikola Corporation, a battery and hydrogen fuel cell truck company, taking a nosedive like a hydrogen-filled Hindenburg. The company’s stock has dropped over 99% from its all-time high near $94, leaving investors scratching their heads in confusion. Today, the shares are down 4% in early trading, trading at a mere 53 cents a share, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite are sitting pretty with slight gains. But, what could be the cause of this enigmatic decline?
The recent vote by Nikola’s shareholders on a proposal to increase the number of outstanding shares might have sent the stock into a tailspin. Companies often have a cap on the number of shares they can issue, and Nikola seems to have hit that cap like a truck. Wall Street expects the company to burn through about $150 million each quarter and doesn’t expect free cash flow to be positive until 2027, so Nikola will need more capital to keep the business chugging along. However, the outcome of the vote remains a mystery, much like the Bermuda Triangle of the stock market.
Now, Nikola shares have also been trading below the $1 mark for over 30 days, violating Nasdaq exchange rules. The company has been given about six months to rectify the situation or face the wrath of the stock market gods. One possible resolution is a reverse stock split, which would reduce the number of outstanding shares and increase the price per share, simultaneously solving the company’s share cap problem. However, implementing a reverse stock split might require Nikola shareholders to re-vote, which could further heighten investor concerns like a rollercoaster ride with no safety harness.
It’s worth noting that voting for the reverse split is not always needed. In most jurisdictions, the split can be carried out by resolution of the board of directors, without requiring a shareholder vote, much like a magician pulling a rabbit out of the hat without the audience’s consent.
The rapid descent of Nikola stock started in June 2020, shortly after the company merged with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC). The share price skyrocketed to nearly $94, igniting the SPAC merger boom. Since then, Nikola stock has been in free-fall, giving investors a feeling akin to standing at the edge of a financial cliff. One possible reason for the decline is the departure of Nikola founder Trevor Milton in September 2020, just before the merger with SPAC.
Milton had opposed raising the maximum number of shares outstanding in June 2022 but still held a significant amount of shares as of April 10, 2022. He can still vote, even though he was convicted of securities fraud in October 2022 for making statements about the development of Nikola’s zero-emission truck technology. This adds another layer of intrigue to the already complex and puzzling situation surrounding Nikola’s plummeting stock price.
In conclusion, the downfall of Nikola’s stock is a multifaceted enigma with numerous factors at play. Despite the current turmoil, Nikola remains steadfast in its mission to revolutionize the transportation industry through sustainable and innovative solutions. The future may hold surprises and twists for this dynamic company, but one can only hope that the winds of change will eventually blow in their favor. In the meantime, investors might want to buckle up and prepare for a bumpy ride.