AST SpaceMobile (NASDAQ:ASTS) Stock Jumps 2.6% – Here’s Why

AST SpaceMobile, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASTS)’s share price was up 2.6% on Friday. The stock traded as high as $40.15 and last traded at $39.79. Approximately 12,894,610 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 23% from the average daily volume of 16,729,523 shares. The stock had previously closed at $38.77.

Key Stories Impacting AST SpaceMobile

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

• Positive Sentiment: Scotiabank upgraded AST SpaceMobile to “Sector Outperform,” providing a near-term catalyst and signaling improved confidence in the company’s outlook. Scotiabank upgrade article
• Positive Sentiment: AST SpaceMobile’s stated plan to activate satellite-based cellular coverage across the United States, Canada, Japan, the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia before the end of 2026 reinforces the company’s growth narrative, although execution remains critical. AST SpaceMobile service-readiness article
• Neutral Sentiment: T-REX will delist and liquidate its 2X Long ASTS Daily Target ETF, ASUP. The process could create temporary trading or flow effects in ASTS, but it does not represent a change in AST SpaceMobile’s operations or fundamentals. T-REX ETF liquidation article
• Negative Sentiment: Several law firms publicized a securities-fraud class action covering investors who purchased ASTS securities from March 4, 2025, through July 15, 2026. The allegations reportedly involve statements about the company’s capital and liquidity position, including claims that it was fully funded before subsequent convertible-note offerings. The November 13, 2026 lead-plaintiff deadline increases visibility around the legal overhang, though the allegations have not been proven. AST SpaceMobile class-action notice
• Negative Sentiment: ASTS recently fell more sharply than the broader market as investors reduced exposure to high-flying technology and space stocks. The stock remains well below its recent highs, highlighting elevated volatility and continued risk-off pressure. Space-stock selloff article

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have issued reports on ASTS shares. B. Riley Financial lowered AST SpaceMobile from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and cut their target price for the company from $85.00 to $65.00 in a research report on Friday, October 2nd. Weiss Ratings restated a “sell (d-)” rating on shares of AST SpaceMobile in a research report on Monday, September 21st. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded AST SpaceMobile from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $93.00 price target for the company in a research report on Monday, October 12th. Berenberg Bank initiated coverage on AST SpaceMobile in a research note on Wednesday, September 2nd. They issued a “buy” rating and a $92.00 price objective for the company. Finally, UBS Group began coverage on AST SpaceMobile in a report on Wednesday, September 2nd. They issued a “buy” rating on the stock. Six analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have given a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, AST SpaceMobile has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $80.67.

AST SpaceMobile Trading Up 2.6%

The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $57.50 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $72.63. 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 company has a market cap of $15.48 billion, a PE ratio of -18.59 and a beta of 2.72.

AST SpaceMobile (NASDAQ:ASTS) last posted its quarterly earnings results 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). The company had revenue of $31.52 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $34.53 million. AST SpaceMobile had a negative net margin of 536.66% and a negative return on equity of 22.88%. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned ($0.41) EPS. Analysts anticipate that AST SpaceMobile, Inc. will post -1.91 EPS for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CTO Huiwen Yao sold 40,000 shares of AST SpaceMobile stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, September 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $58.93, for a total value of $2,357,200.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief technology officer owned 34,750 shares in the company, valued at $2,047,817.50. The trade was a 53.51% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, Director Adriana Cisneros purchased 10,822 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, August 31st. The shares were purchased at an average price of $57.22 per share, with a total value of $619,234.84. Following the acquisition, the director directly owned 797,023 shares in the company, valued at $45,605,656.06. This represents a 1.38% increase in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this purchase is available in the SEC filing. Insiders own 20.89% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On AST SpaceMobile

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Bank of America Corp DE lifted its position 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 worth $136,259,000 after purchasing an additional 960,045 shares during the last quarter. First Trust Advisors LP increased its holdings in AST SpaceMobile by 14.3% in the first quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 1,316,852 shares of the company’s stock valued at $109,128,000 after buying an additional 164,303 shares during the last quarter. Tidal Investments LLC raised its stake in AST SpaceMobile by 9,876.8% in the second quarter. Tidal Investments LLC now owns 1,049,061 shares of the company’s stock valued at $93,220,000 after buying an additional 1,038,546 shares in the last quarter. Tema ETFs LLC raised its stake in AST SpaceMobile by 109,486.8% in the second 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 raised its stake in AST SpaceMobile by 21.5% in the first quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 837,559 shares of the company’s stock valued at $69,409,000 after buying an additional 148,464 shares in the last quarter. 60.95% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

AST SpaceMobile Company Profile

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.