AST SpaceMobile (NASDAQ:ASTS) Shares Up 6.8% – What’s Next?

AST SpaceMobile, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASTS)’s share price rose 6.8% during trading on Friday . The company traded as high as $71.99 and last traded at $71.94. Approximately 13,810,393 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 24% from the average daily volume of 18,146,299 shares. The stock had previously closed at $67.36.

Trending Headlines about AST SpaceMobile

Here are the key news stories impacting AST SpaceMobile this week:

• Positive Sentiment: BlueBird network expansion: AST SpaceMobile launched three additional BlueBird satellites, reportedly doubling download speeds available to direct-to-device partners. The launch supports the company’s planned 2027 constellation buildout and strengthens the case for future commercial service. AST SpaceMobile’s Latest BlueBird Launch Raises the Stakes Ahead of Q2 Earnings
• Positive Sentiment: Japan approval: The company secured regulatory approval to launch direct-to-cell satellite services in Japan with Rakuten Mobile. The partnership could expand ASTS’s addressable market and provide an important commercial validation for its BlueBird platform. AST SpaceMobile Secures Japan Direct To Cell Approval
• Positive Sentiment: European operator relationships: AST SpaceMobile announced network-integration testing with Vodafone, Deutsche Telekom, Orange and other mobile operators across multiple European countries. These relationships could accelerate service deployment and improve distribution through established carriers. AST SpaceMobile Accelerates Presence Across Europe with Leading Mobile Network Operators
• Neutral Sentiment: Earnings and short-interest focus: ASTS is scheduled to report second-quarter results after the market closes on Aug. 10. Heavy short interest may amplify price movements if results, guidance or operational updates surprise investors. Heavily Shorted Satellite Stock Gearing Up for Earnings
• Negative Sentiment: Investor investigation: Pomerantz LLP announced an investigation into potential claims on behalf of ASTS investors. Although no findings or allegations were detailed in the notice, the announcement creates a legal and headline risk overhang. Pomerantz Investor Alert

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts have weighed in on ASTS shares. New Street Research set a $106.00 target price on shares of AST SpaceMobile in a report on Friday, May 29th. Piper Sandler initiated coverage on shares of AST SpaceMobile in a report on Wednesday, July 15th. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $100.00 price target for the company. B. Riley Financial raised shares of AST SpaceMobile from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $85.00 price objective for the company in a research report on Friday, July 17th. UBS Group lowered their price objective on shares of AST SpaceMobile from $85.00 to $80.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, May 12th. Finally, Wall Street Zen lowered shares of AST SpaceMobile from a “sell” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 15th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have given a Buy rating, six have given a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $87.60.

AST SpaceMobile Stock Performance

The stock has a market capitalization of $27.92 billion, a P/E ratio of -40.42 and a beta of 2.75. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $76.79 and a 200 day moving average of $86.31. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.11, a quick ratio of 18.37 and a current ratio of 18.47.

AST SpaceMobile (NASDAQ:ASTS) last issued its earnings results on Monday, May 11th. The company reported ($0.66) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.23) by ($0.43). The company had revenue of $14.73 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $39.01 million. AST SpaceMobile had a negative return on equity of 24.87% and a negative net margin of 573.67%.AST SpaceMobile’s quarterly revenue was up 1952.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned ($0.20) earnings per share. Equities analysts predict that AST SpaceMobile, Inc. will post -1.38 EPS for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other AST SpaceMobile news, CFO Andrew Martin Johnson sold 45,809 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $93.81, for a total transaction of $4,297,342.29. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer directly owned 503,619 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $47,244,498.39. The trade was a 8.34% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CTO Huiwen Yao sold 40,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, June 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $96.37, for a total transaction of $3,854,800.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief technology officer owned 34,750 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,348,857.50. This trade represents a 53.51% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Insiders have sold a total of 105,809 shares of company stock valued at $9,748,492 in the last quarter. Company insiders own 20.89% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On AST SpaceMobile

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Focus Partners Wealth lifted its holdings in AST SpaceMobile by 8,016.7% in the fourth quarter. Focus Partners Wealth now owns 1,269,609 shares of the company’s stock worth $92,000,000 after purchasing an additional 1,253,967 shares during the period. KPP Advisory Services LLC acquired a new position in AST SpaceMobile during the 4th quarter valued at about $1,649,000. M&T Bank Corp raised its position in shares of AST SpaceMobile by 1,062.9% during the 4th quarter. M&T Bank Corp now owns 77,994 shares of the company’s stock worth $5,665,000 after buying an additional 71,287 shares in the last quarter. ABN Amro Investment Solutions bought a new stake in shares of AST SpaceMobile during the 1st quarter worth about $996,000. Finally, Arrowpoint Investment Partners Singapore Pte. Ltd. acquired a new stake in shares of AST SpaceMobile in the 4th quarter worth approximately $2,290,000. 60.95% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

AST SpaceMobile Company Profile

AST SpaceMobile is a U.S.-based aerospace company developing a space-based cellular broadband network designed to connect standard mobile phones and other devices directly to satellites. The company’s core proposition is “space-to-cell” service: operating a constellation of low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellites equipped with large, high-power phased-array antennas to provide wide-area mobile broadband without requiring users to buy specialized terminals or handset modifications.

AST SpaceMobile designs, builds and operates satellite payloads and supporting ground infrastructure.