Space stocks rally on SpaceX IPO speculation as AST SpaceMobile leads gains
Shares of publicly traded space companies surged on May 27, 2026, as investors used them as proxies for enthusiasm surrounding a potential SpaceX initial public offering.
Shares of AST SpaceMobile, Virgin Galactic, and Rocket Lab rose on May 27, 2026, driven by speculation surrounding a potential SpaceX initial public offering. AST SpaceMobile led the rally with an 8% gain, while Virgin Galactic and Rocket Lab each rose 4%. Investors are treating these publicly traded companies as proxies for SpaceX enthusiasm ahead of a potential listing.
AST SpaceMobile shares climbed 8% in midday trading to change hands near $129, extending a strong year-to-date performance of 78%. The satellite direct-to-cell company, which holds a market capitalisation of approximately $41 billion, is targeting the deployment of roughly 45 BlueBird satellites by the end of 2026. The firm has secured partnerships with about 60 mobile network operators covering more than 3 billion subscribers.
Rocket Lab also participated in the sector-wide movement, with its stock rising 4% to mark a 112% gain for the year. The company reported first-quarter revenue of $200.35 million, representing a 64% increase year over year, and cited a backlog of $2.2 billion. Rocket Lab is planning the debut of its Neutron rocket in the fourth quarter of 2026 and has been selected for the Golden Dome Space Based Interceptor program.
Virgin Galactic shares increased by 4% to $3.66, though the company’s market capitalisation remains significantly smaller at roughly $386 million. The firm reported first-quarter revenue of just $227,000 and is focused on completing flight testing of its new SpaceShip in the third quarter of 2026, with commercial spaceflight operations slated for the fourth quarter.
The surge in these equities reflects a broader market dynamic where investors view these listed entities as the primary liquid avenue to gain exposure to the space sector ahead of a potential SpaceX listing. This trend comes despite mixed fundamental results from some participants, such as AST SpaceMobile’s first-quarter revenue missing estimates by 60%.
Market observers note that the rally is heavily influenced by sentiment rather than confirmed corporate announcements regarding the SpaceX IPO. With Reddit sentiment for AST SpaceMobile showing signs of cooling after mid-week peaks, analysts suggest that the sustainability of these gains will depend on whether concrete filing details emerge regarding the private giant’s public debut.
