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AST SpaceMobile Inc. (NASDAQ: ASTS) stock traded lower Friday as investors took profits following a 5.51% rebound in the previous session. The stock remained under pressure after losses earlier in the week.
Meanwhile, Nasdaq futures fell 0.16%, while S&P 500 futures rose 0.16%.
The weakness followed a downgrade by Piper Sandler analyst Alexander Potter, who lowered his rating from Overweight to Neutral. Potter also cut his price forecast to $54 from $98.
Potter raised concerns about AST SpaceMobile's satellite deployment schedule for 2026 and 2027. He also flagged growing competition in the direct-to-cell market, which allows satellites to connect directly to standard mobile phones.
Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) is expanding its presence in the market, including through a reported $8 billion spectrum acquisition.
Potter warned that SpaceX could limit launch capacity for competitors such as AST SpaceMobile. It could also cut service prices or introduce competing devices.
Potter lowered his forecast for AST SpaceMobile's satellite deployments to 18 by the end of 2026, down from 45. He also cut his 2027 projection to 60 satellites from 68.
Additionally, Potter pushed back his expected launch of U.S. commercial service from the fourth quarter of 2026 to the second half of 2027.
He also lowered his estimated monthly service price to $12 from $15, reflecting growing competitive pressure.
Despite these near-term challenges, Potter remains optimistic about AST SpaceMobile's prospects beyond 2027. He noted that intensifying competition could also encourage mobile operators to seek alternative satellite service providers.
AST SpaceMobile remains in a bearish trend, trading below all four major simple moving averages (SMAs).
The stock trades 22.2% below its 20-day SMA, 28.3% below its 50-day SMA, 37.4% below its 100-day SMA and 45.4% below its 200-day SMA.
These levels suggest that sellers remain in control. The stock would need to recover above its short-term moving averages to signal a potential trend reversal.
Meanwhile, the moving average convergence divergence (MACD) indicator remains below its signal line. Its negative histogram also points to weak momentum.
The stock formed a death cross in July when its 50-day SMA fell below its 200-day SMA. This pattern typically signals a bearish trend.
AST SpaceMobile is also trading near its 52-week low of $42, making that level an important support zone.
ASTS Price Action: AST SpaceMobile shares were trading at $43.68 at the time of publication on Friday. The stock is trading near its 52-week low of $42.00, according to market data.
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