Deutsche Bank upgraded AST SpaceMobile to Buy with an unchanged $93 target, citing spectrum value as a key near-term catalyst. The stock has fallen roughly 65% from its May peak, and the bank argues the spectrum moat now covers most of ASTS's enterprise value. SpaceX spectrum moves and potential D2D partnerships with major carriers add optionality to ASTS's upside.
AST SpaceMobile secured explicit U.S. and Japanese government support via the Technology Prosperity Deal, enabling up to $1B in non-dilutive funding for its Rakuten joint venture and J-LEO program. TELUS validation of the network adds credibility, but actual satellites and revenue remain the key milestones. The stock trades around $63 as it tests the $81 200-day moving average for a possible trend turn.
B. Riley Securities downgraded AST SpaceMobile (ASTS) to Neutral and cut the price target to $65 from $85. With ASTS at about $57, the move signals near-term headwinds and potential volatility, though the target still implies upside if execution improves. The article also highlights several concurrent downgrades, underscoring a broader cautious stance among analysts.
AST SpaceMobile unveiled a new senior management change-of-control severance policy, including 2.0x CEO payout and 1.5x for other executives, plus extended health subsidies and equity vesting protections. The governance move may support retention around potential strategic moves, though it has limited near-term cash impact. The SpaceX Starship milestone reinforcing space-sector momentum has contributed to a broader ASTS upside backdrop.
Regulatory momentum in US spectrum auctions and ASTS's approval to deploy a 248-satellite constellation with Verizon and AT&T create a favorable, albeit capital-intensive, backdrop. While near-term stock gains reflect optimism, sustained upside hinges on deployment progress, cost control, and actual commercial service rollout.
AST SpaceMobile posted a Q2 loss of 35 cents per share and revenue of $31.52 million, missing expectations, while backlog sits near $1.3 billion. The core concern remains reliance on third-party launch providers, intensified by SpaceX's announced changes that could affect launch cadence and Florida missions. With shares down about 15% over the past month, investors wonder whether backlog backlog can translate into near-term revenue visibility.