AST SpaceMobile Surges 6.5% on Satellite Launch Optimism and Institutional Buying – What’s Fueling the Rally?

Summary
• AST SpaceMobile (ASTS) surges 6.47% to $65.865, driven by delayed BlueBird 6 launch optimism and institutional buying.
• Scotiabank upgrades ASTS to Sector Perform, citing improved valuation after 35-day 50% market cap drop.
• Options chain shows heavy activity on $65 strike calls and puts ahead of Dec 26 expiration.
• ASTS trades at 52W high of $102.79, with intraday range of $64.01–$67.68 and 6.55% turnover rate.

AST SpaceMobile’s 6.5% intraday rally on December 18, 2025, reflects a confluence of catalysts: delayed satellite launch optimism, institutional accumulation, and technical momentum. The stock’s surge to $65.865—its highest level since June—coincides with Scotiabank’s upgrade and heavy options trading, signaling a pivotal moment for the space-based connectivity pioneer.

BlueBird 6 Launch Delay Sparks Short-Term Optimism
AST SpaceMobile’s 6.47% intraday surge stems from a mix of short-term optimism and technical momentum. The delayed launch of BlueBird 6—pushed to December 21—has paradoxically fueled investor enthusiasm, as the satellite’s 3.5x larger phased array and 10x data capacity are now framed as a game-changing milestone. Institutional buying by Sanders Morris Harris ($617K) and heavy options activity on $65 strike calls (15.56% leverage ratio) suggest positioning for a post-launch rally. Meanwhile, Scotiabank’s upgrade to Sector Perform, citing a 50% market cap drop over 35 days, has rekindled interest in ASTS’s $1B+ contracted revenue and partnerships with Verizon and Saudi Telecom.

Communication Equipment Sector Mixed as ASTS Defies Peers
The Communication Equipment sector (XLC) traded flat, with Cisco Systems (CSCO) up 1.49% as the sector leader. ASTS’s 6.47% rally outperformed peers, reflecting its speculative satellite broadband narrative. While XLC components like CSCO focus on terrestrial infrastructure, ASTS’s space-based model positions it as a disruptor. However, ASTS’s -67.7x P/E and 6.55% turnover rate highlight its volatility compared to more established sector players.

Options and ETF Plays for ASTS’s Satellite-Driven Momentum
• 200-day MA: $46.45 (well below current price)
• 50-day MA: $64.29 (near support)
• RSI: 55.05 (neutral)
• MACD: 1.62 (bullish divergence)
• Bollinger Bands: $43.48–$85.04 (wide range)
• Key levels: 64.26 (middle band), 65.86 (current price), 67.68 (intraday high)

ASTS’s technicals suggest a continuation of its satellite-driven rally, with the 200-day MA acting as a strong floor. The stock’s 6.55% turnover rate and 6.47% intraday gain indicate strong short-term momentum. For options, focus on high-leverage calls and puts with moderate deltas and high liquidity.

Top Call Option: ASTS20251226C65
• Code: ASTS20251226C65
• Type: Call
• Strike: $65
• Expiry: 2025-12-26
• IV: 87.97% (high volatility)
• Leverage: 15.56% (high)
• Delta: 0.58 (moderate)
• Theta: -0.356 (rapid time decay)
• Gamma: 0.0428 (sensitive to price swings)
• Turnover: 142,158 (liquid)
• Payoff (5% up): $69.16 → $4.16 gain per contract
• Rationale: High leverage and liquidity make this ideal for a short-term bullish bet on BlueBird 6’s launch-driven rally.

Top Put Option: ASTS20251226P65
• Code: ASTS20251226P65
• Type: Put
• Strike: $65
• Expiry: 2025-12-26
• IV: 93.56% (extremely high)
• Leverage: 20.29% (high)
• Delta: -0.42 (moderate bearishness)
• Theta: -0.067 (slow decay)
• Gamma: 0.0402 (moderate sensitivity)
• Turnover: 305,205 (liquid)
• Payoff (5% up): $69.16 → $0 loss (call out of the money)
• Rationale: High IV and leverage make this a speculative hedge against a potential pullback, though the call is more compelling for a continued rally.

Aggressive bulls should prioritize ASTS20251226C65 for a post-launch breakout, while ASTS20251226P65 offers downside protection. Watch for a close above $67.68 to confirm bullish momentum.

Backtest AST SpaceMobile Stock Performance
The performance of ASTS following a 6% intraday surge from 2022 to the present has shown favorable results. A backtest reveals a maximum return of 32.13% over a 30-day period, indicating that the stock has the potential for significant gains despite short-term volatility.

ASTS’s Satellite Launch Is the Next Catalyst – Position Now for a 6.5%+ Move
AST SpaceMobile’s 6.47% rally on December 18, 2025, reflects a critical inflection point driven by BlueBird 6’s delayed launch and institutional buying. With the satellite set to debut on December 21—marking the first of six launches until March 2026—ASTS’s technicals and options activity suggest a continuation of its momentum. Traders should monitor the $67.68 intraday high as a key resistance level and the $64.26 middle Bollinger Band as support. Meanwhile, sector leader Cisco (CSCO) rose 1.49%, underscoring the broader tech sector’s cautious optimism. Position now with ASTS20251226C65 for a potential 6.5%+ move post-launch.