New York, Jan 15, 2026, 15:32 EST — Regular session
- ASTS shares climbed roughly 7% in late afternoon trading, bouncing back after a volatile day.
- Investors remained fixated on the timeline risks surrounding the next-gen BlueBird satellite rollout
- A shareholder law firm announced the launch of a securities-fraud probe linked to an earlier launch delay
AST SpaceMobile, Inc. shares climbed roughly 7% Thursday, hitting an intraday peak of $104.74 before slipping back to $101.86 late in the session. The stock swung within a $12 range, showing just how volatile it can be when momentum kicks in.
The shift is crucial as AST aims to move beyond a one-off satellite launch toward a steady cadence. Traders have reacted sharply to every timeline update. The stock remains a volatile wager on whether “satellite-to-phone” service—connecting satellites directly to regular smartphones—can grow quickly enough to support its current valuation.
No company announcements surfaced to explain Thursday’s jump. The stock rose while satellite communications rivals Iridium and Globalstar fell, suggesting the gain was driven by company-specific factors rather than a sector-wide boost.
AST’s upcoming satellite, BlueBird 7, touched down in Florida as it prepares for integration with its launch vehicle, according to Satellite Today earlier this month. The outlet also highlighted AST’s commitment to maintaining a steady launch cadence, with investors eager to see if the schedule can withstand the realities of manufacturing and launch challenges. 1
AST has been pushing BlueBird 6 — which hit orbit in late December — as the first of its new-gen satellites. It boasts a comms array covering around 2,400 square feet and aims for peak data speeds up to 120 Mbps straight to unmodified phones. “BlueBird 6 is a breakthrough moment,” said founder and CEO Abel Avellan in the launch statement. The company plans to send up 45–60 satellites by the end of 2026, targeting launches roughly every one to two months. 2
Competition is heating up. SpaceX just got the green light from U.S. regulators to launch thousands more second-gen Starlink satellites. Officials say this will boost speeds and extend direct-to-cell coverage beyond U.S. borders — essentially going after the same big opportunity AST targets, but with a different setup. 3
Analysts are raising red flags about the stock’s rapid climb. Scotiabank’s Andres Coello said the share price had “once again overshoot to what we see as irrational levels,” in a note that also highlighted AST’s tough challenge in competing with Starlink. Scotiabank downgraded the stock to Underperform and pegged a $45.60 price target, a move reported separately by TheFly. 4
Some research is less pessimistic. Bank of America bumped its price target to $100 from $85, maintaining a Neutral rating. The boost reflects anticipated interest in low-Earth-orbit satellite providers in 2026, mentioned in a broader communications infrastructure outlook. 5
Wednesday brought a headline from Levi & Korsinsky, the shareholder law firm, which announced an investigation into potential federal securities-law violations connected to a previous delay in the BlueBird 6 launch schedule. Such notices often stir up market noise even if they don’t alter the core business strategy. 6
The challenge for bulls is clear: AST must consistently meet technical and manufacturing targets while financing an expensive buildout. Any misstep — whether satellite glitches, launch setbacks, slower customer uptake, or having to raise funds under difficult conditions — could quickly pull expectations back, especially as rivals are already operating at scale.
Traders will soon focus on commissioning updates from BlueBird 6, any new timing details for BlueBird 7, and the upcoming quarterly earnings window. AST hasn’t announced its next earnings date yet; MarketBeat projects it for March 2 after the market closes, following previous reporting trends. ([MarketBeat][7])
[7]: https://www.marketbeat.com/stocks/NASDAQ/ASTS/earnings/ “
AST SpaceMobile (ASTS) Earnings Date and Reports 2026
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