AST SpaceMobile (ASTS) jumped to a new 52-week high of $104.80 on Thursday after a huge year-long rally. The stock is up more than 382% over the past 12 months, fueled by growing optimism over its advances in space-based cellular broadband and several major technical achievements.
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What’s Driving the Rally?
Investors are bullish about AST SpaceMobile as the company is showing real progress on several fronts. The latest boost came from the successful launch of BlueBird 6, the largest commercial communications array deployed in low Earth orbit. It is built to deliver broadband directly to regular smartphones. Investors see this as a big step toward AST’s plan to build a global space-based mobile network.
The company also has an ambitious plan to launch 45 to 60 satellites by the end of 2026. On top of that, AST has partnered with over 50 mobile carriers worldwide, covering nearly 3 billion subscribers. Recent U.S. policy support for commercial space technology has added even more momentum to ASTS stock’s rise.
Can AST SpaceMobile Keep Climbing in 2026?
Whether AST SpaceMobile’s rally can continue in 2026 largely depends on how well the company executes its rollout plans. If the company can keep launching satellites on time, deliver reliable broadband to regular smartphones, and turn early tests into commercial service, investor optimism could hold up.
Meanwhile, the risks remain. AST is still not generating steady revenue, and its losses remain significant. The company needs to raise a lot of money to build its satellite network, and any delays, cost overruns, or technical problems could quickly slow down the stock’s momentum.
Moreover, analysts remain cautious, with most price targets well below the current price, suggesting ASTS stock may have climbed too fast. Rising short interest also shows that more investors are betting the rally might not last.
Is ASTS a Good Stock to Buy?
On TipRanks, analysts have a Hold consensus rating on ASTS stock based on three Buys, four Holds, and two Sells assigned in the past three months. Further, the average AST SpaceMobile price target of $75.51 per share implies 25.42% downside risk.
