UNDER PANDEMIC PRESSURE, Branson to sell Virgin Galactic shares. “Branson plans to sell up to 25 million shares, accounting for about 22 percent of his overall stake in the company. That sale would generate $485 million at the price of $19.40 per share at the close of trading May 11. Many of Branson’s businesses are being hit hard by the COVID-19 crisis, which increases the need for Virgin Galactic and Virgin Orbit to begin commercial spaceflights soon.”