New York, Jan 16, 2026, 04:48 (EST) — Premarket
- Shares of AST SpaceMobile jumped 6.3% on Thursday, closing above $100 for the first time at $101.25
- The stock hit a session high of $104.80 and climbed further in after-hours trading
- Attention shifts to the upcoming headline catalyst and the earnings season kicking off in early March
AST SpaceMobile shares topped $100 for the first time Thursday and pushed even higher in after-hours trading, continuing a sharp rally that’s drawn quick speculators. The stock closed the regular session up 6.3% at $101.25, then climbed roughly 6.6% more to $107.90 after the bell, according to market data.
This move is significant because ASTS has been volatile amid sparse news, with analysts divided over how fast the company can convert early technical gains into a revenue-generating network. In this context, round figures like $100 often become triggers for momentum funds, options players, and short sellers.
Thursday’s close set a new record on a closing basis, based on historical price data, handing bulls fresh ammunition ahead of Friday’s session.
During regular hours, ASTS fluctuated between $92.05 and $104.80, with roughly 16.9 million shares changing hands, according to data.
Thursday’s surge came without any fresh company news. Earlier this week, B. Riley downgraded ASTS from buy to neutral but raised its price target to $105. The firm said investors now have “sufficient time” to assess upcoming growth catalysts as the satellite fleet expands, according to TheFly. TipRanks
Some analysts have taken a tougher stance on valuation. Scotiabank’s Andres Coello, who cut the stock on Jan. 7, labeled the price “irrational,” according to Nasdaq.com. Nasdaq
Adding fuel to the fire, plaintiff law firms rolled out new investor alerts. On Jan. 15, Pomerantz LLP announced it’s probing claims on behalf of AST investors. Just a day before, Levi & Korsinsky revealed it had launched its own investigation into the company.
AST SpaceMobile is developing a satellite network to connect directly with unmodified smartphones. The company’s latest BlueBird 6 satellite launched into orbit in late December aboard an Indian rocket, according to space.com. This marks a key milestone as the firm and its investors push toward commercial service.
Competition in “direct-to-cell” connectivity is heating up. The U.S. Federal Communications Commission gave the green light to SpaceX’s plan to launch thousands more second-generation Starlink satellites, Reuters reported. This move strengthens a rival network also aiming for direct-to-phone service. Reuters
Traders are now focused on a clear trigger: a confirmed date for quarterly earnings and any fresh info that tightens the schedule for more satellite launches and network expansion. According to Zacks data, ASTS’s next earnings report is penciled in for about March 2, but the company hasn’t officially set a date.
The downside is straightforward. A high-flying stock with little revenue can dive fast if product launches get delayed, regulators drag their feet on approvals, funding costs jump, or competition drives prices below what optimistic forecasts expect.
