Speculation about a potential Tesla-SpaceX combination continues to build.

During a CNBC interview broadcast on Friday, SpaceX president Gwynne Shotwell indicated the two Elon Musk-led firms are pursuing aligned objectives and left open the possibility of a merger ahead.

"That might make Elon's life a little easier, actually," said Shotwell, who has led SpaceX since 2008.

"There is no doubt that synergies exist between Tesla and SpaceX going forward, and there is a clear convergence in what both teams aim to achieve," she added.

Shotwell stressed that her current priority remains managing daily operations at SpaceX along with its major growth initiatives rather than pursuing any immediate combination with Musk's other listed firm.

"I am not focused on that aspect right now," she said.

Musk has discussed ways to simplify his wide-ranging ventures over several years, and analysts along with investors have increasingly discussed a Tesla-SpaceX merger in recent weeks.

The companies have previously shared staff and directors while already partnering on a $55 billion Terafab semiconductor project to produce chips for SpaceX AI satellites as well as Tesla robotaxis and humanoid robots.

Tesla has also added xAI's Grok model to its vehicles and placed a $2 billion investment in the AI startup last year that converted into a SpaceX stake after the February merger between xAI and SpaceX.

Wedbush analyst Dan Ives stated in a Thursday note that he expects Tesla and SpaceX to combine next year, calling the move the key step that would let Musk secure a major position in the AI sector.

Shotwell spoke as SpaceX began trading on Friday following a $75 billion raise in the largest IPO ever. The firm received a $1.75 trillion valuation compared with Tesla's $1.25 trillion market cap.

The listing places Musk in the unusual spot of leading two public companies at once.

The world's wealthiest individual, who serves as CEO of Tesla and SpaceX while founding Neuralink and The Boring Company, has drawn past criticism from Tesla investors over limited time spent at the EV maker.

Musk received a massive Tesla compensation package last year that could reach $1 trillion upon hitting key goals, and he holds a comparable plan at SpaceX tied to creating a Mars colony.