Gold and Silver Prices Hit Record Highs, Mining Stocks Surge
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Dec 22 2025
0mins
Source: Benzinga
- Gold Price Surge: Gold prices jumped 2.3% to $4,440 per ounce, marking the strongest daily gain in over a month, with a year-to-date increase of 67%, indicating strong investor demand for safe-haven assets that could further boost related mining stocks.
- Silver's Strong Performance: Silver prices rose 2.1%, nearing the psychological $70 level, with a year-to-date increase of 133%, reflecting robust market interest in precious metals that may attract more investors to related ETFs.
- Mining Stocks Rally: The VanEck Gold Miners ETF and Global X Silver Miners ETF surged 3.6% and 5%, respectively, indicating increased investor confidence in mining companies, which could drive capital inflows and enhance overall industry valuations.
- Overall Market Strength: Major U.S. equity benchmarks extended gains for the third consecutive session, with the S&P 500 rising 0.8% and approaching record highs, suggesting a rebound in market risk appetite that may support investor sentiment ahead of upcoming economic data releases.
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Analyst Views on ASTS
Wall Street analysts forecast ASTS stock price to rise
8 Analyst Rating
3 Buy
4 Hold
1 Sell
Hold
Current: 87.320
Low
43.00
Averages
91.68
High
137.00
Current: 87.320
Low
43.00
Averages
91.68
High
137.00
About ASTS
AST SpaceMobile, Inc. is engaged in building a global cellular broadband network in space to operate directly with standard, unmodified mobile devices based on its intellectual property (IP) and patent portfolio and designed for both commercial and government applications. The Company is engaged in designing and developing the constellation of BlueBird (BB) satellites and has planned a space-based Cellular Broadband network distributed through a constellation of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. Its SpaceMobile Service is being designed to provide high-speed cellular broadband services to end-users who are out of terrestrial cellular coverage using existing mobile devices. The Company intends to continue testing capabilities of the BW3 test satellite, including further testing with cellular service providers and the government. The Company has operations in India, Scotland, Spain, and Israel.
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.
SpaceX IPO Raises Pressure on ASTS Stock
- SpaceX IPO Pricing: SpaceX plans to debut at $135 per share, implying a staggering $1.77 trillion valuation, raising concerns about capital potentially rotating out of other space stocks, which could negatively impact companies like ASTS.
- ASTS Stock Decline: AST SpaceMobile's shares fell nearly 2% on Monday to their lowest levels in nearly three weeks, as investor anxiety over SpaceX's impending IPO intensified, leading to ASTS's longest losing streak of 2026 and reflecting a pessimistic outlook on its future prospects.
- Analyst Rating Adjustments: Barclays lowered its price target for ASTS from $65 to $60, indicating a 35% downside from current levels, and while acknowledging the company's potential role in the direct-to-device communications market, it deemed the risk-reward profile unattractive at this time.
- Shifting Market Sentiment: A recent Stocktwits poll revealed that retail sentiment for ASTS has shifted from 'extremely bullish' to 'bearish' within a week, indicating that investor focus on the SpaceX IPO may be undermining confidence in ASTS.
See More
Four Stock Alternatives to SpaceX Analyzed
- Stock Selection Analysis: In a video, Motley Fool's Jason Hall analyzes four stocks as alternatives to SpaceX, including Rocket Lab Corp, Intuitive Machines, AST SpaceMobile, and Alphabet, highlighting diverse investment opportunities in the space sector.
- Rocket Lab Performance: As of June 10, 2026, Rocket Lab's stock price increased by 4.95%, reflecting ongoing market confidence in its small satellite launch capabilities, which may attract more investor interest.
- Intuitive Machines Growth: On the same day, Intuitive Machines saw a stock price rise of 12.49%, indicating positive market response to its advancements in lunar exploration and related technologies, potentially driving future project financing.
- AST SpaceMobile and Alphabet: AST SpaceMobile's stock rose by 6.92%, while Alphabet's stock increased by 2.38% and 2.48%, demonstrating the potential of these companies in space communications and technology, which may appeal to investors seeking diversified opportunities.
See More
SpaceX to Go Public on June 12 with $1.77 Trillion Valuation
- Historic IPO: SpaceX plans to go public on June 12, aiming to raise $75 billion at a valuation of $1.77 trillion, marking the largest IPO in history; however, its valuation is set at 95 times its 2025 revenue of $18.67 billion, indicating excessive market optimism regarding future growth.
- Profitability Concerns: While SpaceX's primary revenue comes from Starlink, its newly integrated AI division reported operating losses of $6.36 billion in 2025 and $2.47 billion in Q1 2026, which are expected to further erode Starlink's profits, impacting overall financial health.
- Unfavorable IPO Terms: SpaceX is offering up to 30% of its IPO shares to retail investors, but this translates to less than 5% of its outstanding shares, and the combination of low float and market hype could lead to significant short-term volatility, urging caution for investors chasing the stock.
- Competitor Advantages: Compared to SpaceX, companies like Rocket Lab and AST SpaceMobile are performing better in the high-growth space stock sector without the burden of a money-losing AI business, making them more attractive long-term investment options for investors seeking exposure to the burgeoning space services market.
See More
SpaceX Plans IPO at $1.77 Trillion Valuation
- IPO Valuation and Market Response: SpaceX plans to go public on June 12, aiming to raise $75 billion at a valuation of $1.77 trillion, making it the largest IPO in history, with reported oversubscription exceeding four times, indicating strong market demand but raising concerns over its high valuation.
- Profitability Challenges: Despite a 33% revenue increase to $18.67 billion in 2025, SpaceX is expected to remain unprofitable, particularly with its AI division posting operating losses of $6.36 billion in 2025 and $2.47 billion in Q1 2026, which could erode Starlink's profitability.
- Business Structure Analysis: SpaceX generates most of its revenue from Starlink, which accounted for 78% of its income in 2025, while its space division reported a $657 million loss that year, highlighting the financial strain from developing new rockets and spacecraft, which may further increase losses.
- Investor Power and Market Risks: SpaceX is offering up to 30% of its IPO shares to retail investors, which seems generous but represents less than 5% of its outstanding shares, while Musk retains 82% voting power post-IPO, limiting external investors' influence and potentially increasing short-term stock price volatility.
See More
Viasat Shares Surge After U.S. Space Force Contract Win
- Viasat Contract Approval: Viasat's shares surged over 8% following the U.S. Space Force's award of a multi-year contract for a dual-band satellite system, which is expected to enhance the company's market position in military communications.
- EchoStar Stock Rise: EchoStar's shares gained more than 8% ahead of SpaceX's IPO on Friday, reflecting market optimism regarding its stake in SpaceX shares and potential future gains.
- General Dynamics Upgrade: General Dynamics saw its shares increase nearly 5% after Jefferies upgraded its rating to buy, citing significant returns on investments and continued strength in near-term results, with a new price target of $400 implying a 17% upside.
- Adobe Stock Decline: Adobe's shares fell nearly 5%, hitting a new 52-week low, despite analysts expecting its earnings report to align with prior guidance, indicating ongoing market concerns about its future performance.
See More
SpaceX IPO Set to Transform the Space Economy Landscape
- First Public Valuation: SpaceX is set to price its IPO at approximately $135 per share, with a valuation potentially reaching trillions, establishing a new benchmark for the entire space industry that will influence investor perceptions of other space companies.
- Increased Industry Recognition: As SpaceX moves forward with its IPO, the Russell 3000 Index will include commercial space companies like Starfighters Space effective June 29, 2026, indicating a significant rise in market attention towards the space sector, which will drive more capital inflow.
- Market Revaluation Effect: The IPO will prompt a reevaluation of the entire space industry, as investors will benchmark other companies against SpaceX's valuation, altering the overall market perspective on growth potential and profitability within the sector.
- Retail Investor Participation: SpaceX's plan to allocate a significant portion of shares to retail investors not only enhances public awareness of the space industry but also positions it as a mainstream investment choice, broadening the investor base significantly.
See More
SpaceX IPO Raises Pressure on ASTS Stock
- SpaceX IPO Pricing: SpaceX plans to debut at $135 per share, implying a staggering $1.77 trillion valuation, raising concerns about capital potentially rotating out of other space stocks, which could negatively impact companies like ASTS.
- ASTS Stock Decline: AST SpaceMobile's shares fell nearly 2% on Monday to their lowest levels in nearly three weeks, as investor anxiety over SpaceX's impending IPO intensified, leading to ASTS's longest losing streak of 2026 and reflecting a pessimistic outlook on its future prospects.
- Analyst Rating Adjustments: Barclays lowered its price target for ASTS from $65 to $60, indicating a 35% downside from current levels, and while acknowledging the company's potential role in the direct-to-device communications market, it deemed the risk-reward profile unattractive at this time.
- Shifting Market Sentiment: A recent Stocktwits poll revealed that retail sentiment for ASTS has shifted from 'extremely bullish' to 'bearish' within a week, indicating that investor focus on the SpaceX IPO may be undermining confidence in ASTS.
See More
Four Stock Alternatives to SpaceX Analyzed
- Stock Selection Analysis: In a video, Motley Fool's Jason Hall analyzes four stocks as alternatives to SpaceX, including Rocket Lab Corp, Intuitive Machines, AST SpaceMobile, and Alphabet, highlighting diverse investment opportunities in the space sector.
- Rocket Lab Performance: As of June 10, 2026, Rocket Lab's stock price increased by 4.95%, reflecting ongoing market confidence in its small satellite launch capabilities, which may attract more investor interest.
- Intuitive Machines Growth: On the same day, Intuitive Machines saw a stock price rise of 12.49%, indicating positive market response to its advancements in lunar exploration and related technologies, potentially driving future project financing.
- AST SpaceMobile and Alphabet: AST SpaceMobile's stock rose by 6.92%, while Alphabet's stock increased by 2.38% and 2.48%, demonstrating the potential of these companies in space communications and technology, which may appeal to investors seeking diversified opportunities.
See More
SpaceX to Go Public on June 12 with $1.77 Trillion Valuation
- Historic IPO: SpaceX plans to go public on June 12, aiming to raise $75 billion at a valuation of $1.77 trillion, marking the largest IPO in history; however, its valuation is set at 95 times its 2025 revenue of $18.67 billion, indicating excessive market optimism regarding future growth.
- Profitability Concerns: While SpaceX's primary revenue comes from Starlink, its newly integrated AI division reported operating losses of $6.36 billion in 2025 and $2.47 billion in Q1 2026, which are expected to further erode Starlink's profits, impacting overall financial health.
- Unfavorable IPO Terms: SpaceX is offering up to 30% of its IPO shares to retail investors, but this translates to less than 5% of its outstanding shares, and the combination of low float and market hype could lead to significant short-term volatility, urging caution for investors chasing the stock.
- Competitor Advantages: Compared to SpaceX, companies like Rocket Lab and AST SpaceMobile are performing better in the high-growth space stock sector without the burden of a money-losing AI business, making them more attractive long-term investment options for investors seeking exposure to the burgeoning space services market.
See More
SpaceX Plans IPO at $1.77 Trillion Valuation
- IPO Valuation and Market Response: SpaceX plans to go public on June 12, aiming to raise $75 billion at a valuation of $1.77 trillion, making it the largest IPO in history, with reported oversubscription exceeding four times, indicating strong market demand but raising concerns over its high valuation.
- Profitability Challenges: Despite a 33% revenue increase to $18.67 billion in 2025, SpaceX is expected to remain unprofitable, particularly with its AI division posting operating losses of $6.36 billion in 2025 and $2.47 billion in Q1 2026, which could erode Starlink's profitability.
- Business Structure Analysis: SpaceX generates most of its revenue from Starlink, which accounted for 78% of its income in 2025, while its space division reported a $657 million loss that year, highlighting the financial strain from developing new rockets and spacecraft, which may further increase losses.
- Investor Power and Market Risks: SpaceX is offering up to 30% of its IPO shares to retail investors, which seems generous but represents less than 5% of its outstanding shares, while Musk retains 82% voting power post-IPO, limiting external investors' influence and potentially increasing short-term stock price volatility.
See More
Viasat Shares Surge After U.S. Space Force Contract Win
- Viasat Contract Approval: Viasat's shares surged over 8% following the U.S. Space Force's award of a multi-year contract for a dual-band satellite system, which is expected to enhance the company's market position in military communications.
- EchoStar Stock Rise: EchoStar's shares gained more than 8% ahead of SpaceX's IPO on Friday, reflecting market optimism regarding its stake in SpaceX shares and potential future gains.
- General Dynamics Upgrade: General Dynamics saw its shares increase nearly 5% after Jefferies upgraded its rating to buy, citing significant returns on investments and continued strength in near-term results, with a new price target of $400 implying a 17% upside.
- Adobe Stock Decline: Adobe's shares fell nearly 5%, hitting a new 52-week low, despite analysts expecting its earnings report to align with prior guidance, indicating ongoing market concerns about its future performance.
See More
SpaceX IPO Set to Transform the Space Economy Landscape
- First Public Valuation: SpaceX is set to price its IPO at approximately $135 per share, with a valuation potentially reaching trillions, establishing a new benchmark for the entire space industry that will influence investor perceptions of other space companies.
- Increased Industry Recognition: As SpaceX moves forward with its IPO, the Russell 3000 Index will include commercial space companies like Starfighters Space effective June 29, 2026, indicating a significant rise in market attention towards the space sector, which will drive more capital inflow.
- Market Revaluation Effect: The IPO will prompt a reevaluation of the entire space industry, as investors will benchmark other companies against SpaceX's valuation, altering the overall market perspective on growth potential and profitability within the sector.
- Retail Investor Participation: SpaceX's plan to allocate a significant portion of shares to retail investors not only enhances public awareness of the space industry but also positions it as a mainstream investment choice, broadening the investor base significantly.
See More
