AST SpaceMobile (ASTS) is having a good morning. The satellite communications company's stock gained more than 5% in Tuesday's premarket session, riding a wave of improving risk appetite for higher-beta names. Nasdaq futures were up 0.70%, while S&P 500 futures added 0.12%.
Investors are positioning ahead of the August 5 launch of the company's next-generation BlueBird 11, 12, and 13 satellites. That's a big catalyst, and it's not the only one on the horizon. There's also been some buzz from a Meta Platforms (META) executive hinting at WhatsApp connectivity through satellite, which has added fuel to the buying momentum.
Technical Analysis
Let's talk charts. ASTS is still in what you might call a longer-term repair phase. The stock is trading 17.7% below its 50-day simple moving average of $81.03, and about 19% below both its 100-day and 200-day SMAs, which sit at $82.35. That's a lot of overhead resistance. But here's the silver lining: it's 5.9% above its 20-day SMA of $62.94. That suggests the most recent bounce is holding up, even if the bigger moving-average stack remains bearish. So, short-term momentum is improving, but the longer-term trend is still a work in progress.
Earnings & Analyst Outlook
The countdown is on. AST SpaceMobile is set to report earnings on August 10, 2026. Analysts are expecting a loss of 29 cents per share, which would be an improvement from the 41-cent loss a year ago. Revenue is projected to come in at $34.54 million, a massive jump from the $1.16 million reported in the same quarter last year. That's the kind of growth story that gets investors excited, even if profitability is still a ways off.
On the analyst front, the stock carries a Hold rating with an average price target of $81.13. But there have been some notable moves recently. Scotiabank upgraded the stock to Sector Perform on July 29, with a forecast of $50.80. B. Riley Securities upgraded to Buy on July 17, maintaining an $85.00 target. And Piper Sandler initiated coverage with an Overweight rating on July 16, setting a bullish $100.00 forecast. So, while the consensus is cautious, there are some clear bulls out there.
Top ETF Exposure
ASTS also has some interesting ETF dynamics. It's a significant holding in a few funds, which means those funds' flows can directly impact the stock. Here's the rundown:
- Defiance Space and Connective Tech ETF (UFOX): 2.67% weight
- Tradr 2X Long ASTS Daily ETF (ASTX): 106.05% weight (yes, that's a leveraged fund)
- VanEck Social Sentiment ETF (BUZZ): 3.44% weight
Why does this matter? Because ASTS carries such a heavy weight in these funds, any significant inflows or outflows will likely force automatic buying or selling of the stock. It's a feedback loop that can amplify moves in either direction.
Price Action: As of premarket trading on Tuesday, ASTS shares were up 5.40% at $66.95. That's a solid move, and with the launch and earnings just around the corner, the volatility is probably not over yet.
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