•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Palantir Technologies and AST SpaceMobile have surged over the past three years, but some Wall Street analysts warn that the stocks could face significant downside in 2026.
Retail investors have increased their share of total equities trading volume over time and have gravitated toward some of Wall Street’s highest-growth names, including Palantir Technologies (PLTR) and satellite-based cellular broadband provider AST SpaceMobile (ASTS).
As of Feb. 13, 2026, Palantir has risen about 1,630% over the trailing three years, while AST SpaceMobile is up about 1,280%. Despite those gains, select analysts cited in the article project steep potential declines in 2026.
The article notes that Palantir has added roughly $300 billion in market capitalization since the beginning of 2023, attributing the move to the company’s ability to exceed consensus sales expectations.
It also highlights Palantir’s core operating platforms—Gotham and Foundry—as key to its competitive position. Gotham is described as being used by the U.S. government and allied partners for planning and overseeing military missions, collecting and analyzing data for protection against attacks, and supporting criminal investigations. Foundry is described as a subscription service designed to help businesses streamline operations by better understanding their data. Both platforms are characterized as AI- and machine-learning-driven.
While the article says companies with sustainable moats often command valuation premiums, it argues that such premiums can only be stretched so far. It cites an “impressed downside of 62%” for Palantir in 2026, according to select Wall Street analysts.
The article describes AST SpaceMobile as another stock favored by retail investors, supported by the belief that it has a sustainable first-mover advantage. It points to AST’s BlueBird satellites, which the article says can work with existing smartphones to provide global 4G and 5G cellular broadband service.
Another differentiator cited is AST’s approach to partnering with wireless operators rather than competing directly with them. The article states AST has partnered with more than 50 mobile network operators that collectively serve nearly 6 billion subscribers worldwide.
Despite these factors, the article says UBS analyst Christopher Schoell has a price target of $43 on AST, implying downside potential of 48% based on the company’s Feb. 13 closing price.
The article attributes Schoell’s low price target to the $19 billion acquisition of EchoStar’s S-Band spectrum by SpaceX-owned Starlink. It says Schoell believes the deal strengthens Starlink’s foundation and could increase competitive pressure on AST.
The article also lists additional concerns, including the execution risk tied to AST’s growth plan. It states that the company’s rapid growth depends on launching new satellites in a timely and cost-effective manner, and that production issues or inflationary pressures could weigh on the stock.
Finally, it points to valuation risk: even with a parabolic sales growth forecast, AST is described as being valued at 10 times forecast revenue in 2029, suggesting the stock may be priced for “perfection” in an imperfect industry.
Premium gym chains are entering a “golden era” that is ending or already in decline, as rising operating costs collide with shifting consumer preferences toward more flexible, community-based ways to exercise. Long-term memberships are shrinking, margins are pressured by higher rents and facility expenses, and competition from smaller, more personalized…
