New York, Jan 13, 2026, 15:12 EST — Regular session underway.
- Shares of AST SpaceMobile dropped roughly 3.8% in afternoon trading following B. Riley’s downgrade from Buy to Neutral.
- The brokerage raised its price target to $105 from $95, pointing to a need for more time to evaluate upside drivers in 2026.
- Investors are zeroing in on how quickly Block 2 BlueBird units roll out and the timing of the service’s commercial launch.
Shares of AST SpaceMobile (ASTS.O) dropped Tuesday following a downgrade from B. Riley Securities, which shifted its rating from Buy to Neutral. Interestingly, the firm also bumped up its price target. The stock fell roughly 3.8%, landing at $94.65.
This call matters since AST’s valuation hinges largely on its 2026 execution, the year it plans to move from demonstration and deployment to wider service. When a stock is priced on future milestones, one rating change can quickly swing sentiment.
B. Riley analyst Mike Crawford raised his price target to $105 from $95, noting there’s “sufficient time” to see if 2026 catalysts push the stock higher as the company rolls out and integrates additional Block 2 BlueBird satellites into its constellation. TipRanks
The downgrade paired with a higher target sends mixed signals: potential for gains on paper, but weaker confidence for now. On Tuesday, the stock swung between $98.94 and $92.99, with roughly 8.9 million shares traded.
AST is developing a space-based cellular broadband network aimed at linking regular, unaltered smartphones. The company announced a definitive commercial deal with Verizon, with service expected to launch in 2026 throughout the continental U.S.
The company recently hit a major technical milestone: India’s LVM3 rocket launched the BlueBird 6 satellite into low Earth orbit in late December. BlueBird 6 features a communications array covering about 2,400 square feet, according to Space.com.
AST calls BlueBird 6 the kickoff to a scaling phase, aiming to put 45–60 satellites in orbit by the end of 2026. Launches are expected every one to two months on average. The company also says it has deals with more than 50 mobile network operators worldwide, including partnerships with AT&T, Verizon, and Vodafone.
The market is really pricing in that rollout pace. When there’s a clear launch or commissioning update, investors push the stock higher. But if the schedule gets messy or the upcoming update seems weak, the stock tends to slip.
The downside is clear. Delays in launch, satellites that underperform, or slower-than-expected carrier monetisation could push revenue timelines back and force the company to seek new funding on tough terms.
Traders are currently focused on the upcoming update regarding commissioning and the next launch window in the Block 2 campaign. According to MarketBeat data, AST’s next quarterly earnings report is anticipated around March 2, following its usual schedule.
