Last Update 05 Dec 25
GSAT: Hybrid Spectrum And Apple Ties Will Shape Potential Sale Outcomes
Analysts have raised their price target on Globalstar to $66, citing the company’s combination of a de-risked, Apple-backed satellite business and its valuable, underutilized terrestrial spectrum as key drivers of long-term upside in a satellite internet of things market they expect could reach $4.9 billion by 2030.
Analyst Commentary
Analysts highlight that the upgraded price target is rooted in a view that Globalstar’s business model now combines reduced execution risk with meaningful optionality from its spectrum portfolio, supporting a premium multiple versus traditional satellite peers.
Bullish Takeaways
- Bullish analysts view the Apple-backed satellite services as materially de-risking the core business, improving revenue visibility and supporting higher confidence in long-term cash flow growth.
- The company’s terrestrial spectrum is seen as an underutilized asset that could unlock substantial incremental value through leasing, partnerships, or future 5G deployments, providing upside beyond current forecasts.
- Exposure to the emerging satellite internet of things market, which is projected to approach $4.9 billion by 2030, is expected to drive multi-year top-line growth as enterprise and industrial use cases scale.
- The combination of a stabilized satellite business and latent spectrum value underpins the raised $66 target, with bullish analysts arguing that the current share price does not fully reflect the long-term optionality.
Bearish Takeaways
- Bearish analysts caution that monetizing the terrestrial spectrum at attractive economics depends on favorable regulatory outcomes and timely ecosystem development, both of which remain uncertain.
- Execution risk around scaling satellite internet of things services, including customer adoption and integration with existing networks, could delay revenue ramp and pressure near term valuation.
- Concentration risk tied to a small number of strategic partners, including the reliance on Apple-related programs, may limit Globalstar’s bargaining power and introduce volatility if contract terms change.
- If the satellite internet of things market grows more slowly than forecast, or new competitors enter aggressively, Globalstar may struggle to justify the elevated growth assumptions embedded in the target price.
What's in the News
- Globalstar is exploring a potential sale, working with an investment bank and holding preliminary talks with Elon Musk's SpaceX and other possible suitors. The news sent the stock up roughly 25% to 27% (Bloomberg).
- Chair James Monroe has discussed the possibility of selling Globalstar for more than $10 billion, nearly double its recent market capitalization. Such a move could signal a push for greater independence in the company's relationship with Apple (The Information).
- SpaceX has reportedly designed new satellites to support the same radio spectrum used for the iPhone's current satellite features, which Globalstar now provides. This underscores the strategic value of Globalstar's spectrum and Apple partnership (The Information).
- Globalstar is said to be working with advisers to evaluate potential bidders, with SpaceX identified as a key interested party among potential suitors (Bloomberg).
Valuation Changes
- Fair Value Estimate remains unchanged at $67.50, indicating no revision to the long term intrinsic value assessment.
- Discount Rate has fallen slightly from 6.956 percent to 6.956 percent, reflecting a marginally improved risk profile in the valuation model.
- Revenue Growth is effectively unchanged at about 16.75 percent annually, signaling stable long term top line growth assumptions.
- Net Profit Margin is effectively unchanged at about 15.04 percent, suggesting no material shift in expected long term profitability.
- Future P/E remains steady at roughly 168.5x, indicating that the higher price target is not driven by a change in the long term earnings multiple.
Key Takeaways
- Expansion of government partnerships and spectrum monetization diversifies revenue streams and strengthens long-term financial stability.
- Upgrades in satellite infrastructure and adoption of new IoT modules drive network growth, subscriber increases, and higher margins.
- Long sales cycles, high capital needs, strong competition, regulatory hurdles, and dependency on major deals risk revenue growth, margins, and financial stability.
Catalysts
About Globalstar- Provides mobile satellite services in the United States, Canada, Europe, Central and South America, and internationally.
- Continued expansion of government and defense partnerships, including new agreements with U.S. federal agencies and the Parsons relationship, is expected to drive higher recurring revenue as demand for resilient, mission-critical satellite connectivity grows in response to infrastructure vulnerabilities and natural disasters, supporting both top-line growth and improved visibility.
- The global rollout of the RM200 2-way module with over 50 partners in advanced testing signals accelerating adoption across industrial, defense, and commercial IoT markets as more assets require always-on connectivity, increasing subscriber numbers and raising ARPU, ultimately benefiting future revenue and margin expansion.
- Ongoing upgrades to ground infrastructure and the deployment of next-generation satellites (C-3 system and new launches with SpaceX) will boost network capacity, reach, and performance, enabling Globalstar to meet rising demand for hybrid and direct-to-device solutions, thus supporting long-term service revenue and higher discretionary earnings.
- Progress in monetizing proprietary spectrum assets (notably Band 53/n53), including new licensing and international expansion, facilitates new revenue streams from terrestrial and hybrid wireless markets-a diversification that enhances revenue stability and long-term earnings power.
- Advancements in software-defined radio (XCOM RAN) and Network-as-a-Service models create new opportunities to capture enterprise and horizontal markets (beyond initial customers), capitalizing on the convergence of satellite and terrestrial networks to drive incremental service and licensing revenues with improved gross margins.
Globalstar Future Earnings and Revenue Growth
Assumptions
How have these above catalysts been quantified?- Analysts are assuming Globalstar's revenue will grow by 13.7% annually over the next 3 years.
- Analysts assume that profit margins will increase from -18.8% today to 19.6% in 3 years time.
- Analysts expect earnings to reach $75.2 million (and earnings per share of $0.38) by about September 2028, up from $-49.0 million today.
- In order for the above numbers to justify the analysts price target, the company would need to trade at a PE ratio of 108.8x on those 2028 earnings, up from -78.2x today. This future PE is greater than the current PE for the US Telecom industry at 15.4x.
- Analysts expect the number of shares outstanding to grow by 0.41% per year for the next 3 years.
- To value all of this in today's terms, we will use a discount rate of 6.78%, as per the Simply Wall St company report.
Globalstar Future Earnings Per Share Growth
Risks
What could happen that would invalidate this narrative?- The company faces long sales cycles and customer delays in both the enterprise terrestrial and government verticals, which may limit predictable revenue growth and introduce volatility in achieving revenue targets in the medium to long term, potentially impacting net earnings.
- Persistent high capital expenditure requirements for satellite replenishment, ground infrastructure build-out (such as adding 90 antennas across 35 ground stations), and technology development (e.g., XCOM RAN) could outpace internal cash generation and place pressure on free cash flow, increasing risk of dilution or higher-cost debt, which could suppress net margins.
- Competitive threats from alternative connectivity options-including continued advances in terrestrial 5G and 6G networks, and well-funded LEO satellite rivals (like Starlink and Kuiper)-could erode Globalstar's pricing power and customer base, pressuring both revenue and ARPU in the long run.
- Regulatory complexities, especially regarding spectrum sharing, dual licensing, and international terrestrial license approvals, may introduce delays, additional costs, or constrain market access; this raises operational risk and could significantly impact long-term revenue and profitability.
- The company's ability to expand through strategic partnerships (such as with Parsons or defense agencies) hinges on initial customer success and adoption, but over-reliance on a small number of key contracts or verticals creates earnings volatility and could hurt net margins if major customer deals are delayed, downsized, or lost.
Valuation
How have all the factors above been brought together to estimate a fair value?- The analysts have a consensus price target of $52.5 for Globalstar based on their expectations of its future earnings growth, profit margins and other risk factors. However, there is a degree of disagreement amongst analysts, with the most bullish reporting a price target of $60.0, and the most bearish reporting a price target of just $45.0.
- In order for you to agree with the analyst's consensus, you'd need to believe that by 2028, revenues will be $383.1 million, earnings will come to $75.2 million, and it would be trading on a PE ratio of 108.8x, assuming you use a discount rate of 6.8%.
- Given the current share price of $30.25, the analyst price target of $52.5 is 42.4% higher.
- We always encourage you to reach your own conclusions though. So sense check these analyst numbers against your own assumptions and expectations based on your understanding of the business and what you believe is probable.
How well do narratives help inform your perspective?
Disclaimer
AnalystConsensusTarget is a tool utilizing a Large Language Model (LLM) that ingests data on consensus price targets, forecasted revenue and earnings figures, as well as the transcripts of earnings calls to produce qualitative analysis. The narratives produced by AnalystConsensusTarget are general in nature and are based solely on analyst data and publicly-available material published by the respective companies. These scenarios are not indicative of the company's future performance and are exploratory in nature. Simply Wall St has no position in the company(s) mentioned. Simply Wall St may provide the securities issuer or related entities with website advertising services for a fee, on an arm's length basis. These relationships have no impact on the way we conduct our business, the content we host, or how our content is served to users. The price targets and estimates used are consensus data, and do not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and they do not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Note that AnalystConsensusTarget's analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material.



