Why Is AST SpaceMobile Stock Down This Week?

AST SpaceMobile (NASDAQ: ASTS) stock is falling this week, down 15.5% as of 2:14 p.m. ET on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, as investors react to macro news that makes a rate hike more likely.

The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite are both up this week, gaining 1.1% and 1.8%, respectively.

Fed Chair Kevin Warsh's Aug. 28 Jackson Hole speech raised rate-hike odds

AST SpaceMobile is building a constellation of satellites largely on borrowed money. That makes it especially sensitive to a change in interest rates. If interest rates move higher, AST's borrowing costs increase, and the math on their investments changes.

This week's economic data, released on Wednesday, revealed that inflation remains well above where the Federal Reserve -- the body responsible for setting interest rates and keeping inflation in check -- wants it. That means the odds are now greater that the Fed will soon hike rates.

That suspicion was confirmed on Friday when Fed Chair Kevin Warsh delivered an important speech from Jackson Hole in which he said that inflation should be the Fed's primary focus right now.

AST SpaceMobile's net loss widened to $230.9 million in Q2 2026

Q2 sales for AST SpaceMobile were $31.5 million, up considerably from $1.2 million a year earlier. The problem is, losses are widening alongside that growth. Net loss increased to a whopping $230.9 million during the quarter.

AST stock is too risky for my money, especially given the high likelihood that rates could soon increase.

Johnny Rice has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends AST SpaceMobile. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.