Stock Markets July 1, 2026 06:57 AM

Wedbush Initiates SpaceX Coverage at Outperform, Projects Hyperscaler Trajectory

Analyst cites Starlink subscriber growth, Starship reusability and sizeable AI infrastructure plans in setting a $190 target

By Jordan Park
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SPCX

Wedbush has opened coverage of Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SPCX) with an Outperform rating and a $190 price target, characterizing the company as "one of the most differentiated assets within the tech market." The firm highlights Starlink's revenue contribution, Starship's role in scaling satellite deployment, and SpaceX's allocation of IPO proceeds toward AI infrastructure as core elements of its bullish thesis.

Wedbush Initiates SpaceX Coverage at Outperform, Projects Hyperscaler Trajectory
SPCX
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Key Points

  • Starlink is identified as SpaceX's core profitability engine, with roughly 12 million subscribers and average revenue per user of about $66, affecting the broadband and telecom sectors.
  • Starship reusability and higher satellite payloads (approximately 60 satellites per Starship versus 27 per Falcon 9) are positioned to lower launch unit costs and scale satellite deployment, impacting the launch and aerospace sectors.
  • SpaceX has earmarked approximately 20% of its ~ $86 billion IPO proceeds for AI infrastructure and is seeking additional capital, linking the company’s trajectory to AI compute and infrastructure markets.

Wedbush began formal coverage of Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SPCX) with an Outperform recommendation and a $190 price target, describing SpaceX as "one of the most differentiated assets within the tech market." The research note frames the company as poised to evolve into a major hyperscaler across connectivity, launch and AI infrastructure.

Analyst Dan Ives identified Starlink as the central driver of SpaceX's profitability. He reported the service had roughly 12 million subscribers as of June 5, 2026, with average revenue per user near $66 across both enterprise and consumer fleets. According to Ives, Starlink is "still in the early innings of penetrating the global telecom and broadband market," where SpaceX currently holds under 1% market share, and the company is progressing on direct-to-device cellular offerings.

Wedbush underscored the strategic importance of Starship's reusability. The firm argued that reusable Starship vehicles lower hardware-related launch costs and create a reinforcing loop that supports higher launch cadence. Each Starship is expected to carry approximately 60 Starlink satellites per launch, compared with 27 per Falcon 9, a step Wedbush called "an incremental driver of its highly profitable broadband connectivity business."

On capital allocation, Wedbush noted SpaceX received approximately $86 billion from its IPO, and that around 20% of those proceeds are directed toward AI infrastructure investments. The report also stated the company is pursuing additional financing to support its AI ambitions.

The $190 price target is built from a sum-of-the-parts valuation based on fiscal year 2028 estimates, producing roughly $2.48 trillion of implied enterprise value. Ives additionally flagged the multi-year potential from compute and AI, observing that AI and compute remain "still in early innings over the next decade," and that they could deliver substantial upside beyond the core Starlink business.


Summary of key details:

  • Coverage initiated at Outperform with a $190 price target.
  • Starlink: ~12 million subscribers (as of June 5, 2026) and ARPU of about $66.
  • Starship: reusable design expected to carry ~60 Starlink satellites per launch, up from 27 per Falcon 9.
  • IPO proceeds: approximately $86 billion, with about 20% allocated to AI infrastructure; additional financing being sought.
  • Valuation: sum-of-the-parts on FY2028 estimates implies ~ $2.48 trillion enterprise value.

Risks

  • Market penetration remains limited: Starlink holds less than 1% of the global telecom and broadband market, leaving material execution risk in scaling subscriber share - a factor that affects telecom and consumer broadband markets.
  • Operational dependence on Starship reusability and launch cadence: the thesis assumes improved frequency and cost reductions from reusable hardware, making launch execution a key uncertainty for aerospace and satellite deployment plans.
  • Capital and financing needs: while approximately $86 billion in IPO proceeds were received, and about 20% is allocated to AI infrastructure, the company is pursuing additional financing to support its AI ambitions, introducing funding and execution risk for its AI infrastructure strategy.

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