University of Pennsylvania Increases Stake in Intuitive Machines
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Feb 09 2026
0mins
Should l Buy LUNR?
Source: Fool
Intuitive Machines Inc shares fell 7.68% as it crossed below the 5-day SMA, reflecting a challenging market environment.
The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania increased their stake in Intuitive Machines by 2,571,424 shares, valued at approximately $29.78 million, indicating a bullish outlook on the stock. This acquisition raised Intuitive Machines' share of the fund's reportable assets under management to 25.87%, highlighting its growing significance in the investment portfolio. Despite a 24.6% decline in share price over the past year, the stock has seen a 22% year-to-date increase, driven by excitement in the space sector.
This increase in stake by a prominent institution may bolster investor confidence in Intuitive Machines, suggesting potential for recovery despite recent price declines.
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Analyst Views on LUNR
Wall Street analysts forecast LUNR stock price to rise
10 Analyst Rating
8 Buy
1 Hold
1 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 17.740
Low
9.50
Averages
17.74
High
25.00
Current: 17.740
Low
9.50
Averages
17.74
High
25.00
About LUNR
Intuitive Machines, Inc. is a space technology, infrastructure, and services company. It is a provider and supplier of space products and services that enable sustained robotic and human exploration to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. Its services include delivery services, data transmission services, and infrastructure as a service. Its delivery services provide transportation and delivery of payloads, such as satellites, scientific instruments and cargo to various destinations in space, in addition to rideshare delivery and lunar surface access. Its data transmission services offerings include the collection, processing, and interpretation of space-based data, utilizing applications, such as command, control, communications, reconnaissance and prospecting. Its infrastructure as a service delivers space assets, performing tasks and making decisions without human intervention that are designed to perform essential functions, such as navigation, scientific data collection, and others.
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.
Intuitive Machines CEO Sells 86,803 Shares for $1.39 Million
- Transaction Overview: CEO Stephen J. Altemus sold 86,803 shares of Intuitive Machines on February 13, 2026, for approximately $1.39 million, indicating a smaller transaction size compared to the median of 487,331 shares sold in the current reporting period.
- Ownership Impact: This sale reduced Altemus's direct holdings by 6.87%, leaving him with 1,176,246 shares and a 1.0964% ownership stake, reflecting his ongoing confidence in the company despite the sale.
- Market Performance Analysis: Although Intuitive Machines shares have declined by 18.01% over the past year, the stock has rebounded in 2026, reaching a 52-week high of $23.32 in January, driven by investor optimism surrounding the space sector.
- Customer Contract Growth: The company secured new customer contracts, including an $8.2 million extension from the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory, despite reporting a net loss of $10 million in Q3, indicating sustained demand in the space services sector.
See More
Pentagon Invests $68 Million to Accelerate Hypersonic Technologies
- Hypersonic Technology Investment: The Pentagon's Joint Hypersonics Transition Office has awarded $68 million across six vendors to accelerate the development of next-generation technologies capable of exceeding Mach 5, significantly enhancing the U.S. competitive edge in hypersonic weaponry.
- Dark Eagle Deployment: The U.S. Army has begun fielding the Dark Eagle, the nation's first operational ground-launched hypersonic weapon, with delivery expected to complete in early 2026, marking a critical advancement in the U.S. hypersonic weapons program.
- Commercial-Aerospace Defense Intersection: Companies like Starfighters Space are gaining attention at the intersection of commercial aerospace and defense testing, with Starfighters recently completing wind tunnel tests for STARLAUNCH 1, validating its air-launched system design and strengthening its position in the hypersonic market.
- Investment Flow into Industry: Hypersonic testing companies are securing significant institutional investments to expand production capacity and flight cadence, indicating a rapidly growing market demand for hypersonic technologies and driving strategic developments for related firms.
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Pentagon Accelerates Hypersonic Technology Development with $68 Million Investment
- Funding Injection: The Pentagon's Joint Hypersonics Transition Office has awarded $68 million to six vendors to accelerate the development of next-generation technologies capable of exceeding Mach 5, significantly enhancing the U.S. competitive edge in hypersonic weaponry.
- Weapon Deployment: The U.S. Army has begun fielding the Dark Eagle hypersonic weapon, with deliveries expected to complete in early 2026, marking the first operational use of ground-launched hypersonic weapons in the U.S., which could transform future battlefield dynamics.
- Commercial and Defense Synergy: Companies like Starfighters Space are positioned at the intersection of commercial aerospace and defense testing, attracting substantial private capital to enhance production capacity and flight cadence, reflecting strong market demand for rapidly advancing hypersonic technologies.
- Testing Progress: Starfighters Space recently completed wind tunnel testing for STARLAUNCH 1, validating separation behavior at Mach 0.85 and Mach 1.3, with results showing strong alignment with computational fluid dynamics predictions, laying a solid foundation for subsequent flight testing.
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Intuitive Machines Shares Surge 5.29% Amid Geopolitical Tensions
- Stock Price Surge: Intuitive Machines (NASDAQ:LUNR) shares rose 5.29% to $17.50 on Wednesday, driven by rising geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and Iran, as well as the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, reflecting market optimism about the company's future performance.
- Stalled Ukraine Talks: Peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia in Geneva ended without progress, with President Zelenskiy accusing Moscow of stalling, which could exacerbate the situation and impact market sentiment related to the conflict.
- Escalating Iran Situation: Iran and Russia are set to conduct joint naval drills in the Gulf region, and Iran has temporarily closed parts of the Strait of Hormuz, increasing global oil price uncertainties that may indirectly affect Intuitive Machines' market performance.
- Technical Analysis: Intuitive Machines is currently trading below the 20-day SMA but above the 50-day and 100-day SMAs, indicating bullish momentum in the medium term; however, with the RSI in neutral territory and MACD showing bearish pressure, investors should remain cautious of potential market volatility.
See More
U.S. Defense Stocks Surge on Iran Military Action Speculation
- Defense Stocks Surge: U.S. defense stocks rose sharply as reports indicated the Trump administration is nearing potential military action against Iran, with the SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (NYSE:XAR) gaining 2% and the Global X Defense Tech ETF (NYSE:SHLD) rising 2.7%, significantly outperforming the broader market and reflecting bullish sentiment in the defense sector.
- Military Presence Expands: The U.S. has significantly increased its military footprint in the Middle East, deploying two aircraft carriers, multiple warships, hundreds of fighter jets, and advanced air defense systems, indicating preparations for a sustained military campaign in response to escalating tensions.
- Prediction Markets Flash Warning: Betting-implied odds on Polymarket for a U.S. attack on Iran surged, with probabilities rising 8 percentage points to 20% by February 21, and a dramatic increase to 55% by March 15, highlighting growing market concerns over potential escalation in the region.
- Limited Diplomatic Progress: Diplomatic talks between U.S. and Iranian officials have shown limited progress, with Vice President JD Vance stating that diplomacy could reach its “natural end” if Iran fails to meet U.S. red lines related to its nuclear program, further intensifying market anxiety regarding the situation.
See More
Analyst Bullish on Intuitive Machines' Future
- Stock Surge: Intuitive Machines' shares rose 7.5% today after a 3% increase last Friday, indicating strong investor confidence despite the absence of any positive news from the company.
- Analyst Rating Upgrade: B. Riley raised its price target for Intuitive Machines from $20 to $25, implying a 55% upside based on Friday's closing price of $16.13, reflecting a bullish outlook on the company's future performance.
- Promising Industry Outlook: With increased focus from SpaceX and Blue Origin on lunar-related business, Intuitive Machines stands to profit from its Near Space Network Services satellite constellation, providing communication and navigation services to both government and commercial lunar clients.
- Focus on Financial Results: While the analyst's price target is noteworthy, investors should prioritize the upcoming fourth-quarter 2025 financial results from Intuitive Machines to fully assess the company's fundamentals and future potential.
See More
Intuitive Machines CEO Sells 86,803 Shares for $1.39 Million
- Transaction Overview: CEO Stephen J. Altemus sold 86,803 shares of Intuitive Machines on February 13, 2026, for approximately $1.39 million, indicating a smaller transaction size compared to the median of 487,331 shares sold in the current reporting period.
- Ownership Impact: This sale reduced Altemus's direct holdings by 6.87%, leaving him with 1,176,246 shares and a 1.0964% ownership stake, reflecting his ongoing confidence in the company despite the sale.
- Market Performance Analysis: Although Intuitive Machines shares have declined by 18.01% over the past year, the stock has rebounded in 2026, reaching a 52-week high of $23.32 in January, driven by investor optimism surrounding the space sector.
- Customer Contract Growth: The company secured new customer contracts, including an $8.2 million extension from the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory, despite reporting a net loss of $10 million in Q3, indicating sustained demand in the space services sector.
See More
Pentagon Invests $68 Million to Accelerate Hypersonic Technologies
- Hypersonic Technology Investment: The Pentagon's Joint Hypersonics Transition Office has awarded $68 million across six vendors to accelerate the development of next-generation technologies capable of exceeding Mach 5, significantly enhancing the U.S. competitive edge in hypersonic weaponry.
- Dark Eagle Deployment: The U.S. Army has begun fielding the Dark Eagle, the nation's first operational ground-launched hypersonic weapon, with delivery expected to complete in early 2026, marking a critical advancement in the U.S. hypersonic weapons program.
- Commercial-Aerospace Defense Intersection: Companies like Starfighters Space are gaining attention at the intersection of commercial aerospace and defense testing, with Starfighters recently completing wind tunnel tests for STARLAUNCH 1, validating its air-launched system design and strengthening its position in the hypersonic market.
- Investment Flow into Industry: Hypersonic testing companies are securing significant institutional investments to expand production capacity and flight cadence, indicating a rapidly growing market demand for hypersonic technologies and driving strategic developments for related firms.
See More
Pentagon Accelerates Hypersonic Technology Development with $68 Million Investment
- Funding Injection: The Pentagon's Joint Hypersonics Transition Office has awarded $68 million to six vendors to accelerate the development of next-generation technologies capable of exceeding Mach 5, significantly enhancing the U.S. competitive edge in hypersonic weaponry.
- Weapon Deployment: The U.S. Army has begun fielding the Dark Eagle hypersonic weapon, with deliveries expected to complete in early 2026, marking the first operational use of ground-launched hypersonic weapons in the U.S., which could transform future battlefield dynamics.
- Commercial and Defense Synergy: Companies like Starfighters Space are positioned at the intersection of commercial aerospace and defense testing, attracting substantial private capital to enhance production capacity and flight cadence, reflecting strong market demand for rapidly advancing hypersonic technologies.
- Testing Progress: Starfighters Space recently completed wind tunnel testing for STARLAUNCH 1, validating separation behavior at Mach 0.85 and Mach 1.3, with results showing strong alignment with computational fluid dynamics predictions, laying a solid foundation for subsequent flight testing.
See More
Intuitive Machines Shares Surge 5.29% Amid Geopolitical Tensions
- Stock Price Surge: Intuitive Machines (NASDAQ:LUNR) shares rose 5.29% to $17.50 on Wednesday, driven by rising geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and Iran, as well as the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, reflecting market optimism about the company's future performance.
- Stalled Ukraine Talks: Peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia in Geneva ended without progress, with President Zelenskiy accusing Moscow of stalling, which could exacerbate the situation and impact market sentiment related to the conflict.
- Escalating Iran Situation: Iran and Russia are set to conduct joint naval drills in the Gulf region, and Iran has temporarily closed parts of the Strait of Hormuz, increasing global oil price uncertainties that may indirectly affect Intuitive Machines' market performance.
- Technical Analysis: Intuitive Machines is currently trading below the 20-day SMA but above the 50-day and 100-day SMAs, indicating bullish momentum in the medium term; however, with the RSI in neutral territory and MACD showing bearish pressure, investors should remain cautious of potential market volatility.
See More
U.S. Defense Stocks Surge on Iran Military Action Speculation
- Defense Stocks Surge: U.S. defense stocks rose sharply as reports indicated the Trump administration is nearing potential military action against Iran, with the SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (NYSE:XAR) gaining 2% and the Global X Defense Tech ETF (NYSE:SHLD) rising 2.7%, significantly outperforming the broader market and reflecting bullish sentiment in the defense sector.
- Military Presence Expands: The U.S. has significantly increased its military footprint in the Middle East, deploying two aircraft carriers, multiple warships, hundreds of fighter jets, and advanced air defense systems, indicating preparations for a sustained military campaign in response to escalating tensions.
- Prediction Markets Flash Warning: Betting-implied odds on Polymarket for a U.S. attack on Iran surged, with probabilities rising 8 percentage points to 20% by February 21, and a dramatic increase to 55% by March 15, highlighting growing market concerns over potential escalation in the region.
- Limited Diplomatic Progress: Diplomatic talks between U.S. and Iranian officials have shown limited progress, with Vice President JD Vance stating that diplomacy could reach its “natural end” if Iran fails to meet U.S. red lines related to its nuclear program, further intensifying market anxiety regarding the situation.
See More
Analyst Bullish on Intuitive Machines' Future
- Stock Surge: Intuitive Machines' shares rose 7.5% today after a 3% increase last Friday, indicating strong investor confidence despite the absence of any positive news from the company.
- Analyst Rating Upgrade: B. Riley raised its price target for Intuitive Machines from $20 to $25, implying a 55% upside based on Friday's closing price of $16.13, reflecting a bullish outlook on the company's future performance.
- Promising Industry Outlook: With increased focus from SpaceX and Blue Origin on lunar-related business, Intuitive Machines stands to profit from its Near Space Network Services satellite constellation, providing communication and navigation services to both government and commercial lunar clients.
- Focus on Financial Results: While the analyst's price target is noteworthy, investors should prioritize the upcoming fourth-quarter 2025 financial results from Intuitive Machines to fully assess the company's fundamentals and future potential.
See More
