The Largest Shareholders of Twitter: An In-Depth Analysis
Twitter, the popular global social media platform, has seen significant changes in its ownership landscape over the years. As of August 2023, Elon Musk was the largest shareholder of Twitter, following his acquisition of the company in October 2022. However, ownership details can fluctuate rapidly, making it essential to consult the latest reports or financial news for the most up-to-date information.
Ownership Landscape
Elon Musk, known for his frequent use of Twitter, took control of the company in October 2022. His acquisition made him the largest shareholder at the time. However, the ownership of Twitter is now distributed among several institutions, including Vanguard Group, Morgan Stanley, BlackRock Inc., and State Street Corp.
Key Shareholders
Several institutional investors dominate the list of Twitter’s top shareholders. Here, we delve into the top five shareholders based on the number of shares owned.
Vanguard Group
Vanguard Group, one of the largest investment managers globally, notably holds the largest stake in Twitter. The company, known for its hundreds of mutual funds, ETFs, and retirement products, had about $8.1 trillion in assets under management as of January 31, 2022. As of March 31, 2022, Vanguard funds owned approximately 82.4 million Twitter shares, representing 10.3% of the shares outstanding. Two of their funds, the Vanguard Communications Services ETF (VOX) and the Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG), are among those holding Twitter stocks.
Elon Musk
Elon Musk, a frequent Twitter user, initially disclosed holding 73.5 million Twitter shares as of April 4, 2022, representing a 9.2% stake. However, in a subsequent filing, he reported adjustments, holding 73.1 million shares, a 9.1% stake. In April 2022, Musk disclosed an intention to buy all outstanding common stock at $54.20 per share, valuing the company at $43 billion. This reflects a significant investment by Musk in the platform, even after taking over as CEO.
Morgan Stanley
Morgan Stanley, an investment bank and asset manager, holds the third-largest stake in Twitter, with about 67 million shares or 8.4% of the total outstanding as of year-end 2021. This investment firm managed $6.5 trillion in client assets following the acquisitions of online brokerage ETRADE in 2020 and mutual fund manager Eaton Vance in 2021. Morgan Stanley’s involvement in investment banking, asset management, trading services, and investment research underscores its broad interests in financial markets.
BlackRock Inc.
Global investment manager BlackRock Inc., with $10 trillion in assets under management as of the end of 2021, holds 52.1 million Twitter shares, representing a 6.5% stake. BlackRock is well-known for its popular iShares ETF line. Among their funds with Twitter holdings is the iShares Evolved U.S. Media and Entertainment ETF (IEME).
State Street Corp.
State Street Corp., operating as State Street Global Advisors, holds 36.4 million Twitter shares as of year-end 2021, representing a 4.5% stake. As an institutional investment services provider, State Street offers a range of investment management services, including securities custody services for institutional clients. The firm managed $4.1 trillion in investment assets as of Q4 2021.
About Twitter
Twitter, founded in 2006 by Jack Dorsey, Evan Williams, Biz Stone, and Noah Glass, was initially built from the ashes of Odeo, a podcasting venture. Twitter stands out for its strict character constraints, currently limiting messages to 280 characters. With approximately 217 million daily active users as of December 31, 2021, an increase of 13% from the previous year, Twitter remains a significant player in the social media landscape. The company’s revenue, primarily derived from advertising, stood at $1.57 billion in Q4 2021, marking a 22% year-over-year increase from the same quarter in 2020.
The dynamic ownership of Twitter reflects the significant impact of individual and institutional investors on the platform. As Twitter evolves, these relationships and investments continue to shape its future.