Viasat CEO Mark Dankberg Sells 100,000 Shares for $4 Million
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jan 11 2026
0mins
Should l Buy VSAT?
Source: NASDAQ.COM
- Share Sale: Viasat CEO Mark Dankberg sold 100,000 indirectly-held shares for $4 million on January 6, 2026, reducing his indirect holdings by 6.51%, indicating his continued confidence in the company's stock.
- Ownership Structure: Following the transaction, Dankberg's indirect holdings decreased from 1,534,993 to 1,434,993 shares, with all shares disposed of through trust entities, demonstrating adherence to a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan to avoid insider trading allegations.
- Market Timing: The sale occurred when Viasat's stock price was near its 52-week high of $43.59, reflecting Dankberg's decision to reduce holdings at a high point following successful satellite launches and government contracts.
- Financial Performance: Viasat reported $1.14 billion in sales for the fiscal second quarter of 2023, up from $1.12 billion the previous year, with net losses decreasing from $137.6 million to $61.4 million, showcasing the company's robust growth and positive outlook.
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Analyst Views on VSAT
Wall Street analysts forecast VSAT stock price to fall
6 Analyst Rating
4 Buy
2 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 46.630
Low
36.00
Averages
43.80
High
52.00
Current: 46.630
Low
36.00
Averages
43.80
High
52.00
About VSAT
Viasat, Inc. is a global communications company. Its segments include communication services and defense and advanced technologies. The communication services segment provides a wide range of broadband and narrowband communications solutions across government and commercial mobility markets, as well as for residential and enterprise fixed broadband customers. In addition, this segment includes the development and sale of a wide array of advanced satellite and wireless products and terminals that support or enable the provision of fixed and mobile broadband and narrowband services. The defense and advanced technologies segment develops and offers a diverse array of vertically integrated solutions to government and commercial customers, leveraging its core technical competencies in encryption, cybersecurity, tactical gateways, modems and waveforms. Its services are designed to provide customers with the capacity density, market access, speed, bandwidth and responsiveness they need.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Analyst Rating Upgrade: Deutsche Bank's upgrade of ViaSat indicates a positive outlook from analysts on the company's potential in the satellite communications sector, which may attract more institutional investors and further drive the stock price upward.
- Positive Market Reaction: The substantial increase in stock price not only reflects investor approval of Deutsche Bank's analyst views but may also prompt other financial institutions to reassess ViaSat, potentially influencing the overall market perception of the company.
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See More
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- Analyst Reactions: When a stock reaches an analyst's target price, they may either downgrade their valuation or raise their target, reflecting optimistic expectations about the company's fundamentals, which could lead to an upward adjustment of the target price.
- Target Price Distribution: Among analysts covered by Zacks, Viasat's average target price is $41.12, but there is significant variance, with a low target of $20.00 and a high of $52.00, resulting in a standard deviation of $13.249, indicating differing views on the company's future performance.
- Investor Decision-Making: As the stock price exceeds the average target, investors are prompted to reassess the company, considering whether to hold or reduce their positions, a dynamic that could influence future market trends and investment strategies.
See More
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- AI Infrastructure Stocks Surge: Companies linked to AI infrastructure, such as Lumen Technologies and Applied Digital, saw stock prices rise by at least 20%, reflecting a recovery in investor confidence after a week of selling, potentially signaling a shift in market sentiment.
- Viasat Earnings Beat: Viasat reported adjusted earnings of $0.79 per share for the third quarter, up from $0.11 a year earlier, with shares gaining about 10%, as the company anticipates double-digit operating cash flow growth in 2026, showcasing a strong business outlook.
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See More
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- Satellite Launch Progress: CEO Mark Dankberg announced that Flight 2 is set to launch in early November with services expected to commence by May, while Flight 3 will follow shortly after, anticipated to enter service by late summer, significantly enhancing bandwidth capacity for aviation, maritime, and government SATCOM.
- Capital Efficiency Improvement: The company plans to reduce fiscal 2026 capital expenditures to between $1 billion and $1.1 billion, lowering previous guidance by $100 million to $200 million, reflecting a strategic focus on optimizing capital spending to enhance return on investment and support future growth.
- Strategic Review and Potential Separation: Management is conducting a strategic review that includes the potential separation of government and commercial businesses, contingent on successful satellite deployments, macro market trends, and achieving deleveraging and free cash flow targets, indicating a thoughtful approach to future development.
See More
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- Revenue Miss: Despite a year-over-year revenue increase of 3.6% to $1.16 billion, the figure fell short of expectations by $10 million, reflecting intensified market competition and demand fluctuations that could impact future investment sentiment.
- Positive Stock Reaction: Following the earnings report, Viasat's shares rose by 3%, demonstrating market recognition of its profitability, which may support the company's future capital operations and strategic expansions.
- Optimistic Industry Outlook: Viasat is regarded as a leader in the satellite industry; despite facing challenges, its solid position in the high-risk satellite market suggests potential for growth through technological innovation and market expansion.
See More
