SpaceX spectrum acquisition triggers sharp drop in AST SpaceMobile shares
SpaceX announced an agreement to buy Grain Management’s 800 MHz low‑band spectrum portfolio for roughly $8 billion. The news prompted AST SpaceMobile’s stock to tumble between 6% and 15% on October 9, 2026, with the price falling to about $49 per share. CEO Abel Avellan responded by highlighting AST’s access to roughly 1,000 MHz of low‑ and mid‑band spectrum through carrier partners and its own 45 MHz of L‑band, claiming the company can still deliver peak data rates near 200 Mbps. Analysts continued to rate the stock as a Moderate Buy, citing an average price target in the mid‑$80s.
Why it matters
Analysts at Berenberg reaffirmed a Buy stance, noting the spectrum deal could increase AST’s relevance as a satellite‑broadband partner. The share‑price decline reduces the market‑cap and may create a buying opportunity for investors who follow the analysts’ price targets.
Key facts
- 1SpaceX agreed to acquire Grain Management’s 800 MHz low‑band spectrum portfolio in a transaction valued at about $8 billion. tipranks.com
- 2AST SpaceMobile shares fell 15% to roughly $49.19 after the announcement. tipranks.com
- 3CEO Abel Avellan said AST can deploy about 1,000 MHz of low‑ and mid‑band spectrum combined with its 45 MHz of L‑band. tipranks.com
- 4Analysts at Berenberg reaffirmed a Buy rating on AST SpaceMobile following the news. gurufocus.com
- 5The average price target from analysts cited in the coverage is in the $85‑$87 range. clarin.com
- 6AST’s price‑to‑sales ratio is reported at 119×, well above its historical median of roughly 62×. gurufocus.com
Summary written by AlphAI AI Desk from 17 of 17 sources. Not investment advice. Figures are as stated by the linked sources.