Morgan Stanley Raises Viasat's Price Target by 325% to $51
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jan 16 2026
0mins
Should l Buy VSAT?
Source: Fool
- Analyst Optimism: Morgan Stanley analyst Landon Park raised Viasat's price target from $12 to $51, anticipating a further 10% increase over the next 12 months, reflecting a positive outlook on the company's growth potential.
- Market Outlook: The significant increase in expectations from Morgan Stanley comes as the 'Direct-to-Device' market develops, indicating market recognition of Viasat's potential business model transformation, which could drive further stock price increases.
- Valuation Method Shift: Morgan Stanley's switch to a 'sum-of-the-parts' valuation suggests potential plans for business spin-offs, a strategy that may attract more investor interest in Viasat's future developments.
- Financial Condition Analysis: Despite Viasat's stock price soaring nearly 400% over the past year, the company remains unprofitable, with a market capitalization of $6 billion and net debt of $5.8 billion, highlighting the pressure on current valuations and uncertainty regarding future profitability.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Stop guessing "Should I Buy VSAT?" and start using high-conviction signals backed by rigorous historical data.
Sign up today to access powerful investing tools and make smarter, data-driven decisions.
Analyst Views on VSAT
Wall Street analysts forecast VSAT stock price to fall
6 Analyst Rating
4 Buy
2 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 45.820
Low
36.00
Averages
43.80
High
52.00
Current: 45.820
Low
36.00
Averages
43.80
High
52.00
About VSAT
Viasat, Inc. is a global communications company. Its segments include communication services and defense and advanced technologies. The communication services segment provides a wide range of broadband and narrowband communications solutions across government and commercial mobility markets, as well as for residential and enterprise fixed broadband customers. In addition, this segment includes the development and sale of a wide array of advanced satellite and wireless products and terminals that support or enable the provision of fixed and mobile broadband and narrowband services. The defense and advanced technologies segment develops and offers a diverse array of vertically integrated solutions to government and commercial customers, leveraging its core technical competencies in encryption, cybersecurity, tactical gateways, modems and waveforms. Its services are designed to provide customers with the capacity density, market access, speed, bandwidth and responsiveness they need.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Musk Faces Securities Fraud Allegations Ahead of SpaceX IPO
- Securities Fraud Allegations: Musk is set to appear in federal court in San Francisco to address allegations of civil securities fraud related to his Twitter acquisition, with a potential defeat leading to compensation for former Twitter investors, which could impact his future financing capabilities.
- Twitter Acquisition Context: Investors filed a class action lawsuit in October 2022, claiming Musk manipulated Twitter's stock price to pressure the board into selling at $54.20 per share, resulting in significant losses for those who sold prematurely as stock prices fell.
- SEC Charges: The SEC has accused Musk of failing to disclose his 9.1% stake in Twitter within the legally required timeframe, which could lead to further legal repercussions, affecting his reputation and investor confidence moving forward.
- Future IPO Plans: Despite facing legal challenges, Musk aims to take SpaceX public, which is expected to be a record-setting IPO that could reshape the valuation of the private space market and attract increased investor interest.
See More
Space42 and Viasat Advance D2D Infrastructure Collaboration
- Technical Showcase: At the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Space42 and Viasat co-hosted a program to unveil the technical direction of their upcoming joint venture, Equatys, aimed at accelerating global direct-to-device (D2D) connectivity adoption, showcasing their ambition in the satellite communications sector.
- Collaboration Progress: Since the announcement of Equatys in September 2025, the co-founders have made significant strides in venture formation, engineering development, and initial commercial engagements with Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), marking a crucial step towards phased deployment.
- Shared Infrastructure: Equatys is designed as a neutral, multi-participant shared infrastructure platform intended to provide 3GPP-compliant connectivity to billions underserved by terrestrial networks, promoting scalability and cost-effectiveness in global satellite connectivity.
- Commercial Partnerships: Space42 has announced partnerships with e& UAE and Indonesia's national satellite operator Telkomsat to explore Equatys-enabled D2D connectivity, reflecting operator interest in extending coverage through integrated satellite-terrestrial architectures.
See More
Drones Emerge as Fastest-Growing Investment in Defense Sector
- Massive Market Potential: Oppenheimer forecasts the drone market to grow from $45 billion to $400 billion, with global military spending likely to double in the next decade, highlighting the critical role of drones in defense.
- Technological Transformation: The rapid advancement of drone technology is reshaping warfare, with analysts noting that the Ukraine conflict showcases the advantages of low-cost drones in surveillance and precision strikes, driving modernization of military equipment.
- Investment Opportunities: Analyst Timothy Horan recommends Ondas as a leading drone platform in the lower-skies market, expecting the company to achieve high ROI through integration with ground robots, thus boosting market share.
- Intensifying Market Competition: Oppenheimer emphasizes that future competition in drones will be a
See More
Viasat and Cubic³ Showcase Satellite Voice Calling at MWC 2026
- Satellite Voice Call Demonstration: Viasat and Cubic³ showcased satellite-enabled voice calling over a 3GPP-compliant non-terrestrial satellite network at MWC 2026, marking a significant advancement in vehicle safety and emergency connectivity by ensuring voice communication remains available even when cellular networks are unreliable.
- Technology Integration: The demonstration combined Viasat's reliable satellite network, Cubic³'s global connectivity management platform, and Qualcomm's Snapdragon® Auto 5G modem, illustrating how always-on connectivity can be integrated into modern software-defined vehicles, thereby enhancing driver safety.
- Future Application Prospects: This demonstration lays the groundwork for future NTN-enabled vehicles, allowing automakers to ensure drivers have access to emergency assistance and critical safety applications regardless of location, as consumer expectations for data services continue to rise.
- Global Connectivity Capability: Cubic³ connects over 27 million vehicles across more than 200 countries and territories, showcasing its ability to drive new connected services in the automotive market, further solidifying its leadership position in global automotive connectivity solutions.
See More
Microsoft Partners with SpaceX to Expand Global Connectivity
- Global Connectivity Partnership: Microsoft announced a collaboration with SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet service to enhance global internet coverage through low-Earth orbit satellite connectivity and community deployment models, indicating its willingness to collaborate within Elon Musk's business ecosystem.
- Kenya Community Connectivity: Microsoft plans to work with Starlink and an internet service provider in Kenya to connect 450 community hubs, a move that will not only improve local internet access but also increase demand for SpaceX, further driving its business growth.
- Market Expansion Potential: This partnership could open new market opportunities for SpaceX, especially in light of its existing contracts with the Department of Defense and NASA, potentially supporting its future IPO plans and boosting investor confidence.
- Technology Accessibility Goals: Microsoft set a goal in 2022 to provide internet access to over 250 million people by the end of 2025, and it has already extended coverage to over 299 million people, demonstrating its proactive role and strategic positioning in the global digital transformation.
See More
Brightline Capital Management Acquires $19.95 Million Stake in Ecovyst
- New Investment Position: Brightline Capital Management initiated a new position in Ecovyst (NYSE: ECVT) by acquiring 2,050,000 shares valued at $19.95 million during Q4 2026, indicating strong confidence in the company's future growth potential and enhancing its portfolio's long-term returns.
- Asset Allocation Shift: This acquisition now represents 8.06% of Brightline's 13F reportable assets, placing Ecovyst alongside concentrated investments like CSTM and DAN, which signals management's focus on the company's profitability and strategic positioning.
- Significant Performance Growth: In Q3, Ecovyst reported $204.9 million in sales, a 33% year-over-year increase, with an adjusted EBITDA of $57.5 million and a 28.1% margin, showcasing its robust performance in specialty catalysts and sulfuric acid recycling services.
- Capital Structure Optimization: Ecovyst plans to divest its Advanced Materials and Catalysts segment for $556 million, with expected net proceeds of about $530 million, which will lower its leverage ratio to below 1.5x, enhancing financial stability and setting the stage for future growth.
See More
Musk Faces Securities Fraud Allegations Ahead of SpaceX IPO
- Securities Fraud Allegations: Musk is set to appear in federal court in San Francisco to address allegations of civil securities fraud related to his Twitter acquisition, with a potential defeat leading to compensation for former Twitter investors, which could impact his future financing capabilities.
- Twitter Acquisition Context: Investors filed a class action lawsuit in October 2022, claiming Musk manipulated Twitter's stock price to pressure the board into selling at $54.20 per share, resulting in significant losses for those who sold prematurely as stock prices fell.
- SEC Charges: The SEC has accused Musk of failing to disclose his 9.1% stake in Twitter within the legally required timeframe, which could lead to further legal repercussions, affecting his reputation and investor confidence moving forward.
- Future IPO Plans: Despite facing legal challenges, Musk aims to take SpaceX public, which is expected to be a record-setting IPO that could reshape the valuation of the private space market and attract increased investor interest.
See More
Space42 and Viasat Advance D2D Infrastructure Collaboration
- Technical Showcase: At the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Space42 and Viasat co-hosted a program to unveil the technical direction of their upcoming joint venture, Equatys, aimed at accelerating global direct-to-device (D2D) connectivity adoption, showcasing their ambition in the satellite communications sector.
- Collaboration Progress: Since the announcement of Equatys in September 2025, the co-founders have made significant strides in venture formation, engineering development, and initial commercial engagements with Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), marking a crucial step towards phased deployment.
- Shared Infrastructure: Equatys is designed as a neutral, multi-participant shared infrastructure platform intended to provide 3GPP-compliant connectivity to billions underserved by terrestrial networks, promoting scalability and cost-effectiveness in global satellite connectivity.
- Commercial Partnerships: Space42 has announced partnerships with e& UAE and Indonesia's national satellite operator Telkomsat to explore Equatys-enabled D2D connectivity, reflecting operator interest in extending coverage through integrated satellite-terrestrial architectures.
See More
Drones Emerge as Fastest-Growing Investment in Defense Sector
- Massive Market Potential: Oppenheimer forecasts the drone market to grow from $45 billion to $400 billion, with global military spending likely to double in the next decade, highlighting the critical role of drones in defense.
- Technological Transformation: The rapid advancement of drone technology is reshaping warfare, with analysts noting that the Ukraine conflict showcases the advantages of low-cost drones in surveillance and precision strikes, driving modernization of military equipment.
- Investment Opportunities: Analyst Timothy Horan recommends Ondas as a leading drone platform in the lower-skies market, expecting the company to achieve high ROI through integration with ground robots, thus boosting market share.
- Intensifying Market Competition: Oppenheimer emphasizes that future competition in drones will be a
See More
Viasat and Cubic³ Showcase Satellite Voice Calling at MWC 2026
- Satellite Voice Call Demonstration: Viasat and Cubic³ showcased satellite-enabled voice calling over a 3GPP-compliant non-terrestrial satellite network at MWC 2026, marking a significant advancement in vehicle safety and emergency connectivity by ensuring voice communication remains available even when cellular networks are unreliable.
- Technology Integration: The demonstration combined Viasat's reliable satellite network, Cubic³'s global connectivity management platform, and Qualcomm's Snapdragon® Auto 5G modem, illustrating how always-on connectivity can be integrated into modern software-defined vehicles, thereby enhancing driver safety.
- Future Application Prospects: This demonstration lays the groundwork for future NTN-enabled vehicles, allowing automakers to ensure drivers have access to emergency assistance and critical safety applications regardless of location, as consumer expectations for data services continue to rise.
- Global Connectivity Capability: Cubic³ connects over 27 million vehicles across more than 200 countries and territories, showcasing its ability to drive new connected services in the automotive market, further solidifying its leadership position in global automotive connectivity solutions.
See More
Microsoft Partners with SpaceX to Expand Global Connectivity
- Global Connectivity Partnership: Microsoft announced a collaboration with SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet service to enhance global internet coverage through low-Earth orbit satellite connectivity and community deployment models, indicating its willingness to collaborate within Elon Musk's business ecosystem.
- Kenya Community Connectivity: Microsoft plans to work with Starlink and an internet service provider in Kenya to connect 450 community hubs, a move that will not only improve local internet access but also increase demand for SpaceX, further driving its business growth.
- Market Expansion Potential: This partnership could open new market opportunities for SpaceX, especially in light of its existing contracts with the Department of Defense and NASA, potentially supporting its future IPO plans and boosting investor confidence.
- Technology Accessibility Goals: Microsoft set a goal in 2022 to provide internet access to over 250 million people by the end of 2025, and it has already extended coverage to over 299 million people, demonstrating its proactive role and strategic positioning in the global digital transformation.
See More
Brightline Capital Management Acquires $19.95 Million Stake in Ecovyst
- New Investment Position: Brightline Capital Management initiated a new position in Ecovyst (NYSE: ECVT) by acquiring 2,050,000 shares valued at $19.95 million during Q4 2026, indicating strong confidence in the company's future growth potential and enhancing its portfolio's long-term returns.
- Asset Allocation Shift: This acquisition now represents 8.06% of Brightline's 13F reportable assets, placing Ecovyst alongside concentrated investments like CSTM and DAN, which signals management's focus on the company's profitability and strategic positioning.
- Significant Performance Growth: In Q3, Ecovyst reported $204.9 million in sales, a 33% year-over-year increase, with an adjusted EBITDA of $57.5 million and a 28.1% margin, showcasing its robust performance in specialty catalysts and sulfuric acid recycling services.
- Capital Structure Optimization: Ecovyst plans to divest its Advanced Materials and Catalysts segment for $556 million, with expected net proceeds of about $530 million, which will lower its leverage ratio to below 1.5x, enhancing financial stability and setting the stage for future growth.
See More
