AST SpaceMobile (NASDAQ:ASTS) Reaches New 1-Year Low - Time to Sell?

Key Points

• AST SpaceMobile shares hit a new 52-week low, trading as low as $38.91, well below their 50-day and 200-day moving averages.
• The stock faces significant risks, including Starlink competition, potentially dilutive financing needs, weak quarterly results, analyst downgrades and securities-fraud class-action allegations.
• Potential catalysts remain, including planned initial satellite broadband coverage in five countries by the end of 2026 and upcoming satellite launches. Analyst sentiment is mixed, with a consensus “Hold” rating and an average target price of $80.18.

AST SpaceMobile, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASTS - Get Free Report) shares hit a new 52-week low during trading on Thursday. The company traded as low as $38.91 and last traded at $39.6220, with a volume of 589,639 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $40.90.

AST SpaceMobile News Roundup

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

• Positive Sentiment: AST SpaceMobile is targeting initial, intermittent cellular broadband coverage in the United States, Canada, Japan, the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia before the end of 2026. The rollout provides a potential near-term commercial catalyst if the company meets its schedule. AST SpaceMobile Targets Initial Satellite Broadband Coverage in Five Countries by End of 2026
• Positive Sentiment: Roth MKM reiterated a Buy view and argued that ASTS could more than double after its recent selloff. The bullish case rests on upcoming satellite launches and progress toward revenue-generating service. AST SpaceMobile Receives a Buy from Roth MKM
• Neutral Sentiment: AST SpaceMobile renewed CFO Andrew Johnson’s contract for three years, with a minimum $250,000 annual salary plus potential bonuses and equity awards. The agreement supports management continuity but adds compensation commitments. AST SpaceMobile Renews Executive Contract With CFO Johnson
• Negative Sentiment: Multiple law firms publicized a securities-fraud class action and reminded investors of a November 13, 2026 lead-plaintiff deadline. The allegations reportedly involve claims that AST SpaceMobile overstated the strength of its capital position and competitive advantage. The notices do not establish wrongdoing, but they increase headline and legal risk. AST SpaceMobile Shareholder Alert
• Negative Sentiment: UBS cut its price target to $43 from $62, while Scotiabank moved to Sell with a $45.60 target. Investors are also concerned about Starlink competition, slow user adoption and the possibility that future launches could require additional financing and dilution. Levi & Korsinsky AST SpaceMobile Investor Notice

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

ASTS has been the subject of several recent research reports. Royal Bank Of Canada downgraded AST SpaceMobile to a "sector perform" rating in a research note on Friday, October 2nd. Piper Sandler lowered AST SpaceMobile from an "overweight" rating to a "neutral" rating and lowered their target price for the stock from $98.00 to $54.00 in a research report on Tuesday, October 13th. Scotiabank upgraded AST SpaceMobile from a "sector underperform" rating to a "sector perform" rating and set a $50.80 target price on the stock in a report on Wednesday, July 29th. UBS Group began coverage on shares of AST SpaceMobile in a research report on Wednesday, September 2nd. They issued a "buy" rating on the stock. Finally, Berenberg Bank assumed coverage on shares of AST SpaceMobile in a report on Wednesday, September 2nd. They issued a "buy" rating and a $92.00 target price on the stock. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have issued a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, AST SpaceMobile currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $80.18.

AST SpaceMobile Price Performance

The business has a 50-day moving average price of $58.78 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $73.24. The company has a quick ratio of 12.90, a current ratio of 13.05 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.24. The company has a market capitalization of $15.34 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -18.62 and a beta of 2.72.

AST SpaceMobile (NASDAQ:ASTS - Get Free Report) last released 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 for 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 quarter last year, the firm posted ($0.41) EPS. As a group, research analysts anticipate that AST SpaceMobile, Inc. will post -1.92 EPS for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling at AST SpaceMobile

In other news, Director Adriana Cisneros bought 10,822 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Monday, August 31st. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $57.22 per share, with a total value of $619,234.84. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 797,023 shares of the company's stock, valued at $45,605,656.06. This represents a 1.38% increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, 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 transaction of $2,357,200.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief technology officer owned 34,750 shares of the company's stock, valued at $2,047,817.50. This represents a 53.51% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. 20.89% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On AST SpaceMobile

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Hollencrest Capital Management boosted its stake in shares of AST SpaceMobile by 11.7% during the first quarter. Hollencrest Capital Management now owns 1,592 shares of the company's stock valued at $132,000 after purchasing an additional 167 shares during the period. Byrne Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in AST SpaceMobile by 17.0% in the 3rd quarter. Byrne Asset Management LLC now owns 1,170 shares of the company's stock worth $67,000 after purchasing an additional 170 shares in the last quarter. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. grew its holdings in shares of AST SpaceMobile by 15.5% during the second quarter. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. now owns 1,404 shares of the company's stock valued at $121,000 after buying an additional 188 shares during the last quarter. HHM Wealth Advisors LLC raised its holdings in AST SpaceMobile by 72.2% in the 1st quarter. HHM Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 465 shares of the company's stock worth $39,000 after acquiring an additional 195 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Salvus Wealth Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of AST SpaceMobile by 0.4% in the 3rd quarter. Salvus Wealth Management LLC now owns 70,662 shares of the company's stock worth $4,159,000 after purchasing an additional 263 shares in the last quarter. 60.95% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.

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