ASTS vs VSAT

For growth investors, AST SpaceMobile, Inc.

(ASTS) is the stronger pick with 1505% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 5. 5% for Viasat, Inc. (VSAT). Analysts rate AST SpaceMobile, Inc. (ASTS) a "Buy" — based on 7 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.

Over the past 5 years, AST SpaceMobile, Inc.

(ASTS) delivered a total return of +731. 6%, compared to +33. 9% for Viasat, Inc. (VSAT). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: ASTS returned +623. 4% versus VSAT's -11. 0%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), AST SpaceMobile, Inc.

(ASTS) is the lower-risk stock at 2. 82β versus Viasat, Inc. 's 2. 92β — meaning VSAT is approximately 4% more volatile than ASTS relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, AST SpaceMobile, Inc. (ASTS) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 1% versus 162% for Viasat, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), AST SpaceMobile, Inc.

(ASTS) is pulling ahead at 1505% versus 5. 5% for Viasat, Inc. (VSAT). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Viasat, Inc. grew EPS 50. 9% year-over-year, compared to 30. 9% for AST SpaceMobile, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, ASTS leads at 72. 5% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.

Viasat, Inc.

(VSAT) is the more profitable company, earning -12. 7% net margin versus -482. 2% for AST SpaceMobile, Inc. — meaning it keeps -12. 7% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: VSAT leads at -2. 2% versus -405. 7% for ASTS. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — ASTS leads at 53. 4%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.

None of the stocks in this comparison currently pay a material dividend.

All are effectively zero-yield and should be held for capital appreciation rather than income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, AST SpaceMobile, Inc.

(ASTS) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (+623. 4% 10Y return). Viasat, Inc. (VSAT) carries a higher beta of 2. 92 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (ASTS: +623. 4%, VSAT: -11. 0%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.

Both stocks operate in the Technology sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.

In terms of investment character: ASTS is a mid-cap high-growth stock; VSAT is a small-cap quality compounder stock. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.