Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, has given investors a proverbial hospital pass, after a two-worded message on Twitter was misinterpreted by the market. Signal, a non-profit messaging service, which has gained traction lately given the mass migration of WhatsApp users to other communication platforms, was the subject of Musk’s Twitter message. Unknowingly, investors soared into penny stock ‘Signal Advance’, a medical device company with no association to the Signal app. The share exploded over 5000% to reach a high of $70.85 in trade on Monday, increasing its market capitalisation to over $300m from a mere $6m a week prior. This irrational exuberance somewhat underpins Elon Musk’s cult following – who would’ve thought that a man from humble beginnings in Pretoria would turn out to be one of the world’s most influential individuals. – Justin Rowe-Roberts
Elon Musk told Twitter to ‘Use Signal.’ Investors plowed into the wrong one
By Jeran Wittenstein
Bloomberg) – A two-word app recommendation from Elon Musk has turned into a massive rally in the shares of a tiny medical device company in another case of mistaken identity.
“Use Signal,” the Tesla Inc. chief executive officer wrote on Twitter on Jan. 7, apparently referring to the encrypted messaging service. By the end of the day, Signal Advance Inc. shares had surged more than sixfold. That was enough to push Signal Advance’s rally more than 5,100% in three trading days giving it a market valuation of $390m.
Use Signal
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 7, 2021
Despite reports about the confusion on Friday, the stock has continued to rally. Shares of the Rosharon, Texas-based company surged as much as 885% on Monday before paring the gains.
“We strongly recommend people do their due diligence and always invest with care,” the company’s chief executive officer, Dr. Chris Hymel, said when reached by phone on Monday. Signal Advance doesn’t have an association with Musk or the Signal app, he said.
Signal Advance hasn’t filed an annual report with the Securities and Exchange Commission since 2019. The company had no revenue from 2014 to 2016, according to the filing.
Read also: SA born Elon Musk tops the rich list as Tesla rally continues into 2021
The misunderstanding is the latest example of ticker mixup. The popularity of Zoom Video Communications Inc. in recent years resulted in brief surges in the shares of Zoom Technologies Inc., after traders confused its ticker symbol ZOOM with that of the video-conferencing company. Zoom Technologies, a Beijing-based maker of mobile phone components, later changed its ticker to ZTNO.
The other Signal is a closely held not-for-profit organization with a messaging service that’s similar to Facebook Inc.’s WhatsApp.
In response to a comment on Twitter, Musk said he donated to Signal a year ago and plans to give more in the future.
