AST SpaceMobile (NASDAQ:ASTS) Shares Climb 7.1% – Here’s What Happened

AST SpaceMobile, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASTS)’s stock price shot up 7.1% on Friday. The company traded as high as $33.16 and last traded at $32.33. Approximately 32,370,678 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 93% from the average daily volume of 16,753,744 shares. The stock had previously closed at $30.20.

Key Stories Impacting AST SpaceMobile

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

• Positive Sentiment: AST SpaceMobile plans to develop a 20-ton rocket, named Blacklift, to launch its BlueBird satellites, using Miranda and Vira engines from Firefly Aerospace. The move could give ASTS more control over satellite deployment and support its network expansion. AST SpaceMobile rocket announcement
• Positive Sentiment: Firefly’s related engine agreement is valued at more than $1.3 billion over three years and includes engine deliveries, licensed technology and engineering support, making the rocket plan more concrete. The scale of the commitment also underscores the cost and execution involved. Reuters report on Firefly engine deal
• Positive Sentiment: The company also recently disclosed work under a U.S. Space Force contract to advance space-based sensing capabilities, adding a government-development opportunity alongside its commercial plans. Space Force contract announcement
• Neutral Sentiment: ASTS is scheduled to report third-quarter results after the market closes November 9. Analyst estimates cited in coverage call for a $0.42-per-share loss and $45.73 million in revenue; options activity points to expectations of a sizable move around the report. Earnings and options expectations
• Negative Sentiment: Multiple law firms are publicizing a securities class action filed on behalf of investors who bought ASTS securities from March 4, 2025, through July 15, 2026; the lead-plaintiff deadline is November 13. The lawsuit alleges misleading statements, including about competitive positioning and customer adoption. These are allegations, not proven findings, but the litigation adds uncertainty. Class-action deadline notice

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts have commented on ASTS shares. Royal Bank Of Canada lowered shares of AST SpaceMobile to a “sector perform” rating in a research report on Friday, October 2nd. William Blair reissued a “market perform” rating on shares of AST SpaceMobile in a research report on Monday, October 5th. Scotiabank upgraded shares of AST SpaceMobile from a “sector perform” rating to a “sector outperform” rating and upped their price target for the company from $50.80 to $55.70 in a research note on Friday, October 23rd. Cantor Fitzgerald lifted their price objective on shares of AST SpaceMobile from $80.00 to $90.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 11th. Finally, B. Riley Financial cut shares of AST SpaceMobile from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and lowered their target price for the company from $85.00 to $65.00 in a report on Friday, October 2nd. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have given a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $80.67.

AST SpaceMobile Trading Up 7.1%

The company has a market capitalization of $12.58 billion, a PE ratio of -15.11 and a beta of 2.88. The company has a current ratio of 13.05, a quick ratio of 12.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.24. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $52.75 and a two-hundred day moving average of $76.41.

AST SpaceMobile (NASDAQ:ASTS) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, August 10th. The company reported ($0.77) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of ($0.32) by ($0.45). AST SpaceMobile had a negative net margin of 536.66% and a negative return on equity of 22.88%. The business had revenue of $31.52 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $34.53 million. During the same period last year, the company posted ($0.41) EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that AST SpaceMobile, Inc. will post -1.91 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, COO Shanti Gupta sold 12,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, September 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $58.89, for a total transaction of $706,680.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief operating officer directly owned 462,980 shares in the company, valued at $27,264,892.20. This represents a 2.53% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, CTO Huiwen Yao sold 40,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, September 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $58.93, for a total transaction of $2,357,200.00. Following the transaction, the chief technology officer directly owned 34,750 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,047,817.50. This trade represents a 53.51% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. 20.89% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On AST SpaceMobile

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Bank of America Corp DE grew its stake in shares of AST SpaceMobile by 140.3% during the 1st quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 1,644,246 shares of the company’s stock valued at $136,259,000 after acquiring an additional 960,045 shares during the period. First Trust Advisors LP lifted its position in shares of AST SpaceMobile by 14.3% in the first quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 1,316,852 shares of the company’s stock worth $109,128,000 after buying an additional 164,303 shares in the last quarter. Tidal Investments LLC raised its holdings in shares of AST SpaceMobile by 9,876.8% during the 2nd quarter. Tidal Investments LLC now owns 1,049,061 shares of the company’s stock worth $93,220,000 after acquiring an additional 1,038,546 shares in the last quarter. Tema ETFs LLC raised its position in shares of AST SpaceMobile by 109,486.8% during the 2nd quarter. Tema ETFs LLC now owns 1,003,815 shares of the company’s stock valued at $89,199,000 after buying an additional 1,002,899 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank of New York Mellon Corp lifted its stake in shares of AST SpaceMobile by 21.5% in the 1st quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 837,559 shares of the company’s stock valued at $69,409,000 after purchasing an additional 148,464 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 60.95% of the company’s stock.

About AST SpaceMobile

AST SpaceMobile, Inc is a space-based communications company developing a global cellular broadband network designed to connect directly with standard, unmodified mobile phones. Its technology is intended to extend wireless coverage beyond traditional terrestrial networks, including in rural, remote and underserved areas.

The company is building and deploying a constellation of large low Earth orbit satellites, known as the BlueBird satellite system. AST SpaceMobile plans to provide voice, messaging, data and broadband services through partnerships with mobile network operators, allowing subscribers to remain connected outside the reach of conventional cellular towers.

Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Midland, Texas, AST SpaceMobile was established by Abel Avellan, who serves as its chairman and chief executive officer.