BKSY vs PL vs SATL vs ASTS

For growth investors, AST SpaceMobile, Inc.

(ASTS) is the stronger pick with 1505% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 4. 4% for BlackSky Technology Inc. (BKSY). Analysts rate BlackSky Technology Inc. (BKSY) a "Buy" — based on 8 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 +808. 5%, compared to -48. 9% for BlackSky Technology Inc. (BKSY). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: ASTS returned +623. 4% versus BKSY's -48. 3%. 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), Planet Labs PBC (PL) is the lower-risk stock at 1.

75β versus BlackSky Technology Inc. 's 2. 90β — meaning BKSY is approximately 65% more volatile than PL relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, AST SpaceMobile, Inc. (ASTS) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 1% versus 2% for Planet Labs PBC — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

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

(ASTS) is pulling ahead at 1505% versus 4. 4% for BlackSky Technology Inc. (BKSY). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Satellogic Inc. grew EPS 85. 9% year-over-year, compared to -90. 5% for Planet Labs PBC. 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.

Satellogic Inc.

(SATL) is the more profitable company, earning -19. 4% net margin versus -482. 2% for AST SpaceMobile, Inc. — meaning it keeps -19. 4% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: PL leads at -30. 9% versus -405. 7% for ASTS. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — PL leads at 56. 1%, 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, Planet Labs PBC (PL) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (+300.

9% 10Y return). BlackSky Technology Inc. (BKSY) carries a higher beta of 2. 90 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (PL: +300. 9%, BKSY: -48. 3%), 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.

These companies operate in different sectors (BKSY (Unknown) and PL (Industrials) and SATL (Technology) and ASTS (Technology)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.

In terms of investment character: BKSY is a small-cap quality compounder stock; PL is a mid-cap high-growth stock; SATL is a small-cap high-growth stock; ASTS is a mid-cap high-growth 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.