Seek Returns logo

ASTS vs. PLTR: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on

Here’s a clear look at ASTS and PLTR, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Profile

SymbolASTSPLTR
Company NameAST SpaceMobile, Inc.Palantir Technologies Inc.
CountryUnited StatesUnited States
GICS SectorCommunication ServicesInformation Technology
GICS IndustryDiversified Telecommunication ServicesSoftware
Market Capitalization16.16 billion USD370.11 billion USD
ExchangeNasdaqGSNasdaqGS
Listing DateNovember 1, 2019September 30, 2020
Security TypeCommon StockCommon Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of ASTS and PLTR by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.

ASTS vs. PLTR: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

SymbolASTSPLTR
5-Day Price Return-10.19%-13.82%
13-Week Price Return68.60%23.49%
26-Week Price Return62.80%32.31%
52-Week Price Return44.86%380.03%
Month-to-Date Return-15.46%-1.48%
Year-to-Date Return113.03%106.28%
10-Day Avg. Volume10.09M83.99M
3-Month Avg. Volume12.06M84.29M
3-Month Volatility77.73%51.20%
Beta2.502.64

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

ASTS

-63.47%

Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry

Max
35.96%
Q3
14.90%
Median
8.29%
Q1
-0.99%
Min
-18.19%

ASTS has a negative Return on Equity of -63.47%. This indicates the company is generating a loss for its shareholders, which can be a result of unprofitability or negative shareholder equity and is often a sign of financial distress.

PLTR

14.64%

Software Industry

Max
59.01%
Q3
21.98%
Median
7.15%
Q1
-11.12%
Min
-51.24%

PLTR’s Return on Equity of 14.64% is on par with the norm for the Software industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

ASTS vs. PLTR: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Diversified Telecommunication Services and Software industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

ASTS

-7,213.88%

Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry

Max
28.40%
Q3
13.05%
Median
6.85%
Q1
-0.81%
Min
-18.76%

ASTS has a negative Net Profit Margin of -7,213.88%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.

PLTR

22.18%

Software Industry

Max
48.14%
Q3
18.23%
Median
5.60%
Q1
-9.22%
Min
-49.36%

A Net Profit Margin of 22.18% places PLTR in the upper quartile for the Software industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

ASTS vs. PLTR: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Diversified Telecommunication Services and Software industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

ASTS

-5,539.51%

Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry

Max
37.46%
Q3
22.24%
Median
15.73%
Q1
9.79%
Min
2.06%

ASTS has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -5,539.51%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.

PLTR

16.55%

Software Industry

Max
57.34%
Q3
20.60%
Median
7.84%
Q1
-8.72%
Min
-51.37%

PLTR’s Operating Profit Margin of 16.55% is around the midpoint for the Software industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

ASTS vs. PLTR: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Diversified Telecommunication Services and Software industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

SymbolASTSPLTR
Return on Equity (TTM)-63.47%14.64%
Return on Assets (TTM)-28.08%11.65%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)-7,213.88%22.18%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)-5,539.51%16.55%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)49.35%80.03%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

ASTS

8.23

Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry

Max
1.63
Q3
1.14
Median
0.92
Q1
0.68
Min
0.16

ASTS’s Current Ratio of 8.23 is exceptionally high, placing it well outside the typical range for the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry. This indicates a very strong liquidity position, though such a high ratio may also suggest that the company is not using its assets efficiently to generate profits.

PLTR

6.32

Software Industry

Max
3.83
Q3
2.31
Median
1.45
Q1
1.03
Min
0.24

PLTR’s Current Ratio of 6.32 is exceptionally high, placing it well outside the typical range for the Software industry. This indicates a very strong liquidity position, though such a high ratio may also suggest that the company is not using its assets efficiently to generate profits.

ASTS vs. PLTR: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Diversified Telecommunication Services and Software industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

ASTS

0.57

Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry

Max
3.82
Q3
2.06
Median
1.32
Q1
0.74
Min
0.11

Falling into the lower quartile for the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry, ASTS’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.57 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.

PLTR

0.00

Software Industry

Max
2.14
Q3
0.90
Median
0.29
Q1
0.00
Min
0.00

PLTR’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.00 is typical for the Software industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

ASTS vs. PLTR: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Diversified Telecommunication Services and Software industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

ASTS

-115.23

Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry

Max
14.66
Q3
8.25
Median
3.53
Q1
1.47
Min
-2.60

ASTS has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -115.23. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.

PLTR

-1.53

Software Industry

Max
67.02
Q3
19.86
Median
0.70
Q1
-12.50
Min
-53.00

PLTR has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -1.53. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.

ASTS vs. PLTR: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Diversified Telecommunication Services and Software industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

SymbolASTSPLTR
Current Ratio (MRQ)8.236.32
Quick Ratio (MRQ)8.146.19
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)0.570.00
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)-115.23-1.53

Growth

Revenue Growth

ASTS vs. PLTR: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

ASTS vs. PLTR: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

ASTS

0.00%

Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry

Max
10.34%
Q3
5.44%
Median
3.89%
Q1
1.73%
Min
0.00%

ASTS currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.

PLTR

0.00%

Software Industry

Max
0.08%
Q3
0.03%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

PLTR currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.

ASTS vs. PLTR: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Diversified Telecommunication Services and Software industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

ASTS

0.00%

Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry

Max
270.06%
Q3
135.21%
Median
76.62%
Q1
35.06%
Min
0.00%

ASTS has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.

PLTR

0.00%

Software Industry

Max
1.32%
Q3
0.53%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

PLTR has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.

ASTS vs. PLTR: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Diversified Telecommunication Services and Software industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

SymbolASTSPLTR
Dividend Yield (TTM)0.00%0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)0.00%0.00%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

ASTS

--

Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry

Max
33.39
Q3
23.91
Median
16.72
Q1
13.00
Min
4.13

P/E Ratio data for ASTS is currently unavailable.

PLTR

485.17

Software Industry

Max
149.35
Q3
100.21
Median
47.97
Q1
26.77
Min
11.68

At 485.17, PLTR’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Software industry. This suggests the stock may be significantly overvalued compared to its peers and implies high market expectations that could be difficult to meet.

ASTS vs. PLTR: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Diversified Telecommunication Services and Software industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

ASTS

3,302.29

Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry

Max
4.75
Q3
2.60
Median
1.62
Q1
0.94
Min
0.35

With a P/S Ratio of 3,302.29, ASTS trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.

PLTR

107.63

Software Industry

Max
25.24
Q3
13.52
Median
8.15
Q1
4.87
Min
0.98

With a P/S Ratio of 107.63, PLTR trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Software industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.

ASTS vs. PLTR: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Diversified Telecommunication Services and Software industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

ASTS

18.09

Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry

Max
5.77
Q3
3.45
Median
2.10
Q1
1.19
Min
0.32

At 18.09, ASTS’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.

PLTR

54.26

Software Industry

Max
30.95
Q3
14.91
Median
7.75
Q1
3.60
Min
0.38

At 54.26, PLTR’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Software industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.

ASTS vs. PLTR: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Diversified Telecommunication Services and Software industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

SymbolASTSPLTR
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)--485.17
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)3,302.29107.63
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)18.0954.26
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)--216.73