ASTS Stock Rises Overnight: BlackRock Stake Boost Calms Investor Fears Over Satellite Deployment Delays

• Several firms, including Mariner and Group One Trading, also reduced stakes.
• AST SpaceMobile’s Q1 results raised fresh concerns around whether the company can realistically meet its aggressive satellite deployment targets.
• However, AST SpaceMobile said it sees a potential revenue opportunity nearing $1 billion in 2027.

Shares of AST SpaceMobile Inc. (ASTS) reversed early losses to rise 1% in overnight trading heading into Thursday as investors latched onto BlackRock’s growing stake in the company, helping calm fresh fears around its increasingly scrutinized satellite deployment timeline.

ASTS stock jumped nearly 3% on Wednesday, but is headed for a marginal weekly loss. 

BlackRock Boosts ASTS Stake 

Fresh filings on Wednesday showed that BlackRock increased its AST SpaceMobile position by 22% as of March 31, adding 2.57 million shares and lifting its total holdings to 14.52 million shares valued at $1.13 billion.

The data also showed that Vodafone Ventures remained a major holder with 5.47 million shares valued at roughly $424.55 million. Other institutional moves were mixed. SEI Investments raised its stake by 31%, while Parkside Financial Bank increased its small holding by 145.45%. Monashee Investment Management added 45,000 shares.

However, the filings also showed several investors cutting exposure. Mariner reduced its position by 66%, Group One Trading cut its stake by 96%, Lido Advisors lowered holdings by 46% and Cetera Investment Advisers trimmed its position by 2%.

ASTS Satellite Timeline Fears 

The developments come after AST SpaceMobile’s Q1 results raised fresh questions about whether the company can meet its aggressive satellite rollout targets.

AST SpaceMobile reported a Q1 loss of $0.66 per share, wider than Wall Street expectations for a loss of $0.20 per share. Revenue came in at $14.7 million, below analyst estimates of $36.58 million. The company still maintained its full-year revenue guidance of $150 million to $200 million, compared with consensus estimates of $181.13 million.

Silicon Valley-based satellite communications consultant Tim Farrar said that the earnings call pointed to manufacturing and launch execution risks. He argued that AST SpaceMobile’s assumptions do not appear to support its target of having 45 satellites in orbit by year-end.

Farrar said the company would likely need multiple high-frequency launches from Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket, along with several additional Falcon 9 missions, to come close to that goal. He also questioned the company’s use of “satellite completion” milestones rather than clearer ready-for-shipment and ready-for-launch metrics.

BlueBird-7 Setback Adds Pressure

AST SpaceMobile’s deployment timeline has already faced scrutiny after last month’s failed BlueBird-7 mission aboard Blue Origin’s New Glenn Mission-3 launch. BlueBird-7 separated from the rocket but failed to reach orbit after a second-stage anomaly. AST SpaceMobile previously said the satellite is expected to de-orbit and that insurance is expected to cover the loss.

President Scott Wisniewski said on the earnings call that an upper-stage anomaly is “not uncommon early in programs” and said the company remains optimistic about Blue Origin returning to the pad soon. Wisniewski also said AST SpaceMobile has enough contracted launch capacity to meet its 2026 deployment goals and expects “a handful” of launches from both Blue Origin and SpaceX, or equivalent providers.

ASTS Targets Big Revenue Jump In 2027

Despite the near-term concerns, AST SpaceMobile continued to point investors toward a major revenue ramp in 2027. Wisniewski said the company is making progress in building its revenue base ahead of what it sees as a large jump next year. He said AST SpaceMobile sees the 2027 revenue opportunity nearing $1 billion, driven by long-term contracted or highly recurring revenue.

The company also highlighted growing government opportunities across communications and defense programs, including potential exposure to Golden Dome-related initiatives and Space Development Agency contracts.

How Do Retail Traders Feel About ASTS?

On Stocktwits, retail sentiment for ASTS was ‘bullish’ amid ‘high’ message volume.

One user said, “so easy for the big boys to scare retail out of their shares while they stack them up cheap! Hope you all have been adding all you can!”

Another user said, “Starting to sell some shares of other stocks to accumulate more shares. Probably the most oversold growth stock [ASTS] in the market.”

ASTS stock has jumped 182% over the past year. 

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