Swiss Life Asset Management Ltd Takes Position in EchoStar Corporation $SATS

Swiss Life Asset Management Ltd bought a new position in shares of EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ:SATS) during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund bought 6,610 shares of the communications equipment provider’s stock, valued at approximately $505,000.

Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of SATS. AQR Capital Management LLC grew its stake in EchoStar by 6.0% during the 1st quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 26,805 shares of the communications equipment provider’s stock valued at $672,000 after purchasing an additional 1,511 shares in the last quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. raised its position in shares of EchoStar by 4.6% in the 1st quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 72,482 shares of the communications equipment provider’s stock valued at $1,854,000 after purchasing an additional 3,199 shares in the last quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC boosted its stake in shares of EchoStar by 8.1% during the 1st quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 331,476 shares of the communications equipment provider’s stock valued at $8,479,000 after buying an additional 24,749 shares during the last quarter. Strs Ohio acquired a new stake in shares of EchoStar during the first quarter worth approximately $128,000. Finally, Envestnet Asset Management Inc. acquired a new stake in EchoStar in the second quarter valued at $217,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 33.62% of the company’s stock.

Insider Buying and Selling at EchoStar

In other EchoStar news, CEO Hamid Akhavan sold 71,005 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, March 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $107.52, for a total value of $7,634,457.60. Following the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 823,293 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $88,520,463.36. This trade represents a 7.94% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, COO John Swieringa sold 50,088 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $113.58, for a total value of $5,688,995.04. Following the completion of the sale, the chief operating officer owned 253,535 shares in the company, valued at $28,796,505.30. The trade was a 16.50% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. 55.70% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

EchoStar Stock Up 1.2%

Shares of EchoStar stock opened at $110.84 on Wednesday. The company has a current ratio of 0.42, a quick ratio of 0.38 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.21. The business’s 50 day simple moving average is $114.48 and its 200-day simple moving average is $94.58. The stock has a market capitalization of $32.02 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -2.20 and a beta of 1.01. EchoStar Corporation has a twelve month low of $14.90 and a twelve month high of $132.25.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have commented on SATS shares. Citigroup increased their price objective on shares of EchoStar from $111.00 to $121.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 3rd. UBS Group upped their target price on shares of EchoStar from $125.00 to $127.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 3rd. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “sell (d-)” rating on shares of EchoStar in a research report on Wednesday, January 21st. Morgan Stanley upgraded EchoStar from an “equal weight” rating to an “overweight” rating and lifted their price target for the stock from $82.00 to $110.00 in a research note on Wednesday, December 10th. Finally, Zacks Research lowered EchoStar from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, March 10th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, three have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $134.17.

More EchoStar News

Here are the key news stories impacting EchoStar this week:

• Positive Sentiment: S&P 500 inclusion should force index and ETF buying and raise the stock’s visibility — a structural demand boost that likely helped lift the share price. EchoStar Stock Is Now in the S&P 500. Elon Musk’s SpaceX Gave it a Boost.
• Positive Sentiment: Investors view EchoStar as a way to gain indirect exposure to SpaceX — EchoStar reportedly holds roughly $11B (about 2.8% of SpaceX) in stock acquired through spectrum sales — spurring thematic buying ahead of an expected SpaceX IPO. 3 Stocks to Buy ASAP Before SpaceX Goes Public
• Neutral Sentiment: Multiple short-interest notices report a “large increase” but show zero shares/NaN changes — this appears to be a data anomaly rather than confirmed new shorting pressure; monitor for corrected filings but current data don’t indicate a material short squeeze threat or new bearish force.
• Negative Sentiment: Balance-sheet and profitability metrics remain concerns: high debt-to-equity (~3.21), low quick and current ratios (~0.38/0.42) and a negative P/E — these fundamentals increase financial risk and could cap upside if investor enthusiasm fades.

About EchoStar

EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS) is a global provider of satellite communication solutions, offering a suite of broadband and video delivery services to consumer, enterprise and government customers. The company operates two principal business segments: Broadband and Video. Through its Broadband segment, EchoStar delivers high-speed satellite internet access, managed network services and ground infrastructure for residential, commercial and rural markets. Its Video segment provides satellite fleet operations, teleport facilities and capacity-leasing services to video distributors and content providers.

In the Broadband segment, EchoStar’s Hughes Network Systems division designs and manufactures satellite broadband equipment, including user terminals and gateways, and develops advanced network management technologies.