AST SpaceMobile’s $1 billion deal jolts space stocks before holiday; defense names hold up
AST SpaceMobile plunged 15.17% Thursday after announcing $1 billion in convertible debt, then recovered 0.35% Friday. The selloff hit other space stocks, while defense contractors rose as Treasury yields dropped on softer inflation data. U.S. markets close Monday for Presidents Day, with investors awaiting Tuesday’s reopening and AST’s financing settlement.