Elon Musk’s assets rose by US$2.3 billion in just one hour after shares in Tesla Inc. soared at news that the company’s real profit in the fourth quarter was higher than expected, and also thanks to the accelerated launch schedule for the new Model Y SUV. Shares in the electric vehicle manufacturer rose 12% from US$580.99 to US$649, thereby increasing the CEO’s capital up to about US$36 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

Musk, 48, owns about a fifth of Tesla, which makes up most of his fortune. His majority stake in the sister company Space Exploration Technologies Corp. is estimated at about US$14.6 billion. Tesla’s market value now far exceeds US$100 billion, and if the situation continues, Musk will earn up to US$50 billion.