If you’ve been watching the viasat inc stock price lately, you’ve probably felt a little like you're riding a rocket with a glitchy navigation system. One day it’s soaring, the next it’s dipping, and honestly, trying to make sense of the noise can be exhausting. As of January 13, 2026, Viasat (VSAT) is sitting around $42.83. That’s a massive jump from where it was a year ago. We're talking about a stock that was languishing in the single digits—hitting a 52-week low of $7.36—only to skyrocket over 400% in a single year.
It’s wild.
But here is the thing. Most people look at that 400% gain and think they missed the boat, or they see the recent volatility and assume the wheels are falling off. The reality is a lot more nuanced. Viasat isn't just "the other satellite company" anymore. It's a complex beast that has spent the last two years pivoting from a legacy internet provider into a global communications powerhouse.
The In-Flight Connectivity Boom
Ever been on a flight where the Wi-Fi actually worked? Not just "checked my email" worked, but "streamed a movie in HD" worked? There is a high chance Viasat was behind it. Their In-Flight Connectivity (IFC) segment is basically carrying the company’s reputation right now.
In the latest reports, IFC revenue jumped 14% year-over-year. This isn't just about more people buying Wi-Fi on their way to Vegas. It’s about Viasat locking in major airline fleets. They’ve moved beyond just being a provider; they’re becoming the standard. When you look at the viasat inc stock price, you have to realize that a huge chunk of that valuation is tied to the sky-high demand for data at 30,000 feet.
Why the Market is Freaking Out (And Why It Might Be Wrong)
Last week, the stock hit a high of $43.46. Then it cooled off. Some analysts, like the folks at William Blair, are still screaming "Outperform" from the rooftops. They’re looking at competitors like L3Harris and suggesting that Viasat might be due for a corporate restructuring—maybe a spinout—that could unlock even more value.
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But then you have the skeptics.
Barclays recently held a price target around $23. That’s a huge gap. Why the pessimism? It usually comes down to three letters: LEO.
Low Earth Orbit.
Everyone is obsessed with Starlink. It’s the shiny new toy in the satellite world. Because Starlink’s satellites are closer to Earth, they have lower latency. People assume Viasat’s GEO (Geostationary) satellites are dinosaurs. But that’s a bit of a simplified take. Viasat’s GEO birds, like the upcoming ViaSat-3 F2, provide massive, concentrated capacity. For a commercial airline or a government defense contract, that dedicated "pipe" of data is often more valuable than the lower latency of a LEO network.
The ViaSat-3 Gamble
The viasat inc stock price is currently a bet on the ViaSat-3 constellation. If you follow this company, you know the saga. The first satellite had that infamous antenna deployment issue back in 2023. It was a disaster at the time.
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But 2026 is the year of the comeback.
- ViaSat-3 F2: Anticipated to enter service early this year, bringing over 1 Tbps of capacity to the Americas.
- ViaSat-3 F3: Slated to launch and hit the Asia-Pacific region later in 2026.
If these launches go smoothly, the narrative changes from "Viasat is struggling with old tech" to "Viasat has the most powerful global network on the planet." That’s a big "if," though. Space is hard. One bad sensor or a botched deployment and the stock takes a haircut.
Earnings: The Numbers Under the Hood
Let’s talk money. Viasat recently reported Q2 2026 earnings (the fiscal calendar is always a bit wonky), and they actually beat expectations. They posted an EPS of $0.09 when analysts were expecting a loss of $0.14.
That’s a massive beat.
Still, revenue growth is... modest. We’re talking about 1.6% to 2% year-over-year growth. For a company in a "booming" sector, that feels a bit slow. This is why the stock is so volatile. One group of investors sees the earnings beat and the 400% recovery as a sign of a turnaround. Another group looks at the $5 billion in debt and the slow revenue growth and hits the "sell" button.
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The Government Secret Weapon
One thing the casual retail investor often misses is Viasat’s government business. While Starlink is grabbing the headlines with consumer kits, Viasat is quietly signing massive contracts for "resilient SATCOM."
Just last month, they launched an advanced global Ka-band network specifically for government use. They’re winning awards for aerospace vehicle equipment and ground operating equipment—contracts worth $14 million, $16 million, even $11 million at a time. This is "sticky" revenue. The government doesn't just switch providers because a cheaper option comes along; they stay for the security and the dedicated support.
What to Watch Next
If you're holding or thinking about jumping into VSAT, keep your eyes on February 5, 2026. That’s the next estimated earnings date.
Analysts are currently projecting an EPS around $-0.10. If Viasat pulls another rabbit out of the hat and posts a profit, we could see the viasat inc stock price test that $50 mark that JP Morgan has been eyeing.
But watch the insiders, too. CEO Mark Dankberg has been doing some selling lately—about $4 million worth in early January. Sometimes that’s just tax planning or diversification, but it’s always worth noting when the person at the helm is trimming their position near a 52-week high.
Actionable Steps for Investors
If you are looking to navigate the current Viasat landscape, here is how to handle the next few months:
- Monitor the VS-3 F2 Status: The moment that satellite is declared fully operational, expect a momentum shift. This is the primary catalyst for the 2026 fiscal year.
- Watch the $38.11 Support Level: Technically speaking, if the price drops below $38, it could trigger a slide back down to the $30 range.
- Check the Starlink IPO Rumors: Any news about SpaceX spinning off Starlink in 2026 will cause ripples in VSAT. Sometimes Viasat moves in sympathy with the sector; other times, it gets crushed by the competition narrative.
- Evaluate the Debt-to-Equity: Viasat is still carrying a heavy load from the Inmarsat acquisition. Look for any news regarding debt refinancing or asset sales (like the recent Navarino stake sale) as signs of a healthier balance sheet.
The bottom line is that Viasat is no longer a "boring" utility stock. It’s a high-stakes tech play with a very real chance of dominating the high-end connectivity market. Just make sure your seatbelt is fastened—the turbulence isn't over yet.