How to Invest in Virgin Galactic

How to buy Virgin Galactic stock

Anyone can become a shareholder of Virgin Galactic. The space tourism company came public on the New York Stock Exchange in 2019 via a business combination with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) formed by venture capitalist Chamath Palihapitiya.

Although anyone can buy shares in their brokerage account, you'll need to take a few steps to become a shareholder. Here's how to invest in stocks and add the space stock to your portfolio.

1. Open your brokerage account: Log in to your brokerage account where you handle your investments.
2. Search for the stock: Enter the ticker or company name into the search bar to bring up the stock's trading page.
3. Decide how many shares to buy: Consider your investment goals and how much of your portfolio you want to allocate to this stock.
4. Select order type: Choose between a market order to buy at the current price or a limit order to specify the maximum price you're willing to pay.
5. Submit your order: Confirm the details and submit your buy order.
6. Review your purchase: Check your portfolio to ensure your order was filled as expected and adjust your investment strategy accordingly.

Should I invest in Virgin Galactic?

Before buying Virgin Galactic shares, you must decide whether it's the right investment for you. Your portfolio should align with your risk tolerance, return objectives, and values.

With that in mind, here are some reasons you might want to invest in Virgin Galactic:

• You think space travel is the next frontier and will drive robust revenue and profit growth for Virgin Galactic in the future.
• You're comfortable with the risks of investing in Virgin Galactic, including that shares could lose value.
• You don't think Virgin Galactic will have trouble funding its business.
• You don't need dividend income right now.
• You're confident Virgin Galactic will achieve its production schedule and generate revenue from its Delta Class spaceships in 2026.

On the other hand, here are some reasons you might decide against buying shares of Virgin Galactic:

• You don't think space tourism will be a viable long-term business.
• You're not sure Virgin Galactic will ever make money.
• You're seeking companies that pay dividends.
• You're concerned about Virgin Galactic's cash burn rate.
• You're worried that continued stock dilution will weigh on the value of its shares.

Is Virgin Galactic profitable?

Investors should closely analyze a company's profitability. Ideally, they'd like to see that a company is growing its profits or on the path to making money.

Virgin Galactic is light-years away from becoming profitable. The space company is still in the early stages of commercialization and generating limited revenue. As a result, it is posting significant losses and burning through cash.

In the second quarter of 2025, Virgin Galactic recorded only $406,000 in revenue. That was a significant drop from the year prior ($4.2 million), largely attributed, according to the second quarter report, to "the pause in commercial spaceflights to focus efforts on the production of the Delta Class SpaceShips."

As a result, Virgin Galactic reported a net loss of $67.3 million during the period. On a positive note, that was an improvement from a $93.8 million net loss in the previous year due to lower operating expenses.

While Virgin Galactic is burning through cash ($55.4 million of net cash used in operating activities in the second quarter), it has a large cash pile to work with ($508 million). However, it will eventually need to start making money.

Its continued cash burn has forced the company to raise money by selling additional stock (including issuing 15.7 million more shares in the second quarter to raise $56 million). The stock sales are diluting existing investors and weighing on the value of its stock price.

Virgin Galactic initially aimed to be profitable by 2021. However, delays in beginning commercial flights have affected its ability to generate revenue and make money. It could finally start making money if its Delta Class spaceships start commercial service in 2026.

Does Virgin Galactic pay a dividend?

Virgin Galactic didn't pay dividends as of late 2025. The aerospace and space travel company wasn't yet in the position to start returning cash to investors because it's still investing heavily in building out its fleet. Its business still used more cash to fund its operations and capital expenses than it produced, so it likely won't initiate a dividend anytime soon.

ETFs with exposure to Virgin Galactic

Being an active stock picker and managing a portfolio of individual stocks might not be right for you. The good news is you don't have to be an active investor. Thanks to exchange-traded funds (ETFs), anyone can be a passive investor these days. ETFs allow you to invest in a company through a thematic approach or broad market strategy.

The bottom line on Virgin Galactic

Virgin Galactic has enormous promise. The space tourism company believes it can generate meaningful revenue in 2026 when its first Delta Class spaceship enters service, giving its stock the fuel to rocket in the coming years.

However, Virgin Galactic is still a risky company. It's burning through cash and hasn't previously delivered on its bold commercialization plans. Investors must carefully consider whether it's worth the risk.

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