Intuitive Machines shares surge 13.14% after-hours as KeyBanc raises target to $26, citing acquisition and NASA contracts.

Intuitive Machines (LUNR) surged 13.14% in after-hours trading following a KeyBanc upgrade that raised its price target to $26 from $20, signaling strong conviction in the company’s growth trajectory. The move coincided with a bullish analysis from The Analyst’s Journal, highlighting LUNR’s strategic acquisition of Lanteris Space Systems, which expands its revenue and backlog while enabling vertical integration in lunar infrastructure. Upcoming catalysts, including the IM-3 mission (Q1 2026) and potential Lunar Terrain Vehicle (LTV) contract wins, were emphasized as critical inflection points. Additionally, multiple analysts recently increased price targets, with KeyBanc, Canaccord, and Stifel collectively raising estimates by 11–47% in late December 2025 and January 2026, reflecting confidence in LUNR’s execution risks and market positioning in the $19.8B lunar infrastructure sector. The stock’s volatility and post-market rally align with these near-term catalysts and institutional optimism.