Amentum vs ViaSat: why the prices moved differently

Weekly · monthly · quarterly news summaries, side by side in time

Amentum Holdings Inc. (AMTM)

Q3 202630 Jun – 7 Oct 2026

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Amentum wins big contracts but revenue misses and NASA cuts weigh

Major contract wins Amentum won NASA's COSMOS contract, joined a UK defence framework with Babcock, and secured nuclear deals including a $2.78 billion Sellafield framework and a Texas waste pilot, boosting its long-term backlog.
These new contracts are a key positive force for the stock this quarter.
Profit beat and analyst upgrade Profit beat guidance and an analyst upgrade to Neutral lifted sentiment, showing the company can manage costs even as revenue falls short.
This sentiment boost is a new positive driver for the quarter.
Revenue misses and NASA workforce cut Q2 and Q3 revenue missed expectations, and NASA's workforce directive will cut 2027 revenue by about 3%, raising concerns about near-term growth.
These are new negative developments that pressured the stock.
Weak core growth and high valuation Core growth is weak—just 1.1% annually over four years with a 2.1% free cash flow margin—and analysts expect only 1.5% growth ahead, leaving limited upside despite contract wins.
This fundamental weakness explains the stock's poor performance and cautious outlook.

August 202621 Jul – 7 Oct 2026

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Amentum's weak core results offset by nuclear contract wins and an upgrade

Weak revenue growth and cash flow weigh on the stock Amentum's revenue has barely grown — about 1.1% a year over four years — and its free cash flow margin averaged just 2.1%, leaving little money to reinvest. That weak core performance drove a 40.9% share price drop over six months, and analysts expect only 1.5% growth ahead.
This is the central fundamental problem behind AMTM's decline and the backdrop for everything else.
Q3 earnings: profit beat, but revenue missed Amentum reported Q3 revenue of $3.49 billion, down 2% from a year earlier and below expectations, while earnings per share of $0.67 beat the $0.63 estimate. Both business segments beat on adjusted EBITDA, but the revenue shortfall sent shares down 6% and left the company the weakest performer among government consulting peers.
The quarter is the period's key hard number: profit beat but shrinking revenue is the mixed signal driving sentiment.
Nuclear contract wins deepen long-term revenue base Amentum's joint venture OneAxIoM was named preferred supplier on a $2.78 billion Sellafield nuclear asset-care framework with a nine-year term, and Amentum joined a Texas nuclear waste disposal pilot that received a drilling permit. These long-duration nuclear deals could broaden revenue and support the company's growth story.
These are the main new positive catalysts, showing where future revenue could come from.
Analyst upgrade gives a modest sentiment lift BNP Paribas Exane upgraded Amentum to Neutral, and the stock rose 3%. It is a small positive, but an upgrade to merely Neutral shows analysts still see limited upside after the weak results and slow growth.
The upgrade is the period's only clear positive price reaction and shows sentiment stabilizing, though only slightly.

Latest21 Jul – 7 Oct 2026

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Amentum's weak core results offset by nuclear contract wins and an upgrade

Weak revenue growth and cash flow weigh on the stock Amentum's revenue has barely grown — about 1.1% a year over four years — and its free cash flow margin averaged just 2.1%, leaving little money to reinvest. That weak core performance drove a 40.9% share price drop over six months, and analysts expect only 1.5% growth ahead.
This is the central fundamental problem behind AMTM's decline and the backdrop for everything else.
Q3 earnings: profit beat, but revenue missed Amentum reported Q3 revenue of $3.49 billion, down 2% from a year earlier and below expectations, while earnings per share of $0.67 beat the $0.63 estimate. Both business segments beat on adjusted EBITDA, but the revenue shortfall sent shares down 6% and left the company the weakest performer among government consulting peers.
The quarter is the period's key hard number: profit beat but shrinking revenue is the mixed signal driving sentiment.
Nuclear contract wins deepen long-term revenue base Amentum's joint venture OneAxIoM was named preferred supplier on a $2.78 billion Sellafield nuclear asset-care framework with a nine-year term, and Amentum joined a Texas nuclear waste disposal pilot that received a drilling permit. These long-duration nuclear deals could broaden revenue and support the company's growth story.
These are the main new positive catalysts, showing where future revenue could come from.
Analyst upgrade gives a modest sentiment lift BNP Paribas Exane upgraded Amentum to Neutral, and the stock rose 3%. It is a small positive, but an upgrade to merely Neutral shows analysts still see limited upside after the weak results and slow growth.
The upgrade is the period's only clear positive price reaction and shows sentiment stabilizing, though only slightly.

July 202630 Jun – 19 Aug 2026

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Amentum's profit beat and new contract wins offset revenue miss and NASA headwind

NASA COSMOS contract win Amentum won NASA's COSMOS contract to run mission operations and astronaut training for Artemis, the Space Station and more. This adds long-term work and supports future revenue, helping lift the stock.
New contract award directly boosts AMTM's demand outlook.
Q2 revenue miss but raised profit guidance Q2 revenue fell short and the stock dropped 15%, but the company raised its full-year profit and earnings guidance, with net income jumping. The market first focused on the miss, then on the improved profitability.
This is the main earnings event that moved the stock sharply both ways.
UK defence framework with Babcock Amentum joined a five-year Babcock framework to support UK defence programmes, including nuclear and submarine work. This secures steady, long-term engineering revenue and strengthens its international defence business.
New contract expands AMTM's addressable market and revenue visibility.
NASA workforce directive cuts 2027 revenue Amentum said NASA's workforce directive will cut about 3% from fiscal 2027 revenue, though the rest of the business should grow mid-single digits. This is a real headwind that partly offsets the new contract wins.
It is a new, specific negative factor that tempers the positive outlook.

30 Jun – 19 Aug 2026

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Amentum's profit beat and new contract wins offset revenue miss and NASA headwind

NASA COSMOS contract win Amentum won NASA's COSMOS contract to run mission operations and astronaut training for Artemis, the Space Station and more. This adds long-term work and supports future revenue, helping lift the stock.
New contract award directly boosts AMTM's demand outlook.
Q2 revenue miss but raised profit guidance Q2 revenue fell short and the stock dropped 15%, but the company raised its full-year profit and earnings guidance, with net income jumping. The market first focused on the miss, then on the improved profitability.
This is the main earnings event that moved the stock sharply both ways.
UK defence framework with Babcock Amentum joined a five-year Babcock framework to support UK defence programmes, including nuclear and submarine work. This secures steady, long-term engineering revenue and strengthens its international defence business.
New contract expands AMTM's addressable market and revenue visibility.
NASA workforce directive cuts 2027 revenue Amentum said NASA's workforce directive will cut about 3% from fiscal 2027 revenue, though the rest of the business should grow mid-single digits. This is a real headwind that partly offsets the new contract wins.
It is a new, specific negative factor that tempers the positive outlook.

ViaSat Inc (VSAT)

Q3 202617 Jun – 22 Sep 2026

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Viasat gains on defense wins, patent award, and positive cash flow

Defense contract wins Viasat won a US Space Force mini-GEO satellite contract and a $12M Space Data Network award, boosting its defense business and investor confidence.
These new contracts directly drove positive sentiment and revenue prospects.
Patent verdict and constellation completion A $229M patent verdict against Kioxia and the completed ViaSat-3 constellation tripling bandwidth strengthened Viasat's financial and operational position.
These events provided a cash boost and expanded capacity, key positive drivers.
Positive free cash flow and automotive entry Viasat turned free cash flow positive at $72M with a $4.2B backlog, and an in-vehicle satellite call with BMW opened a new automotive market.
Financial health and new market entry are fundamental positives for the stock.
Competitive and market pressures SpaceX's IPO pressured smaller space stocks, M&A speculation created volatility, and competition from proven players like SpaceX remains intense.
These factors acted as headwinds, offsetting positive developments.

August 20265 Aug – 22 Sep 2026

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ViaSat-3 constellation complete, cash flow positive, defense wins

ViaSat-3 F2 enters service, completing global constellation ViaSat-3 F2 entered service across the Americas, completing the ViaSat-3 constellation and tripling global bandwidth. This boosts Viasat's ability to serve aviation, maritime, government and broadband customers, supporting revenue growth and pricing power.
This is the biggest new event, directly expanding Viasat's core capacity and service offerings.
Positive free cash flow and strong backlog Viasat reported positive free cash flow of $72 million, up 19%, and backlog rose 19% to $4.2 billion. Management expects about $180 million free cash flow for fiscal 2027, signaling improving financial health and ability to fund growth.
This shows the company is generating cash and growing its order book, key for investor confidence.
Space Force awards $60M to break SpaceX monopoly Viasat was one of five companies awarded a $12 million contract to integrate with the Space Data Network, expanding its government business. This reduces reliance on SpaceX and opens new defense revenue streams.
This is a new government contract win that diversifies Viasat's revenue and strengthens its defense segment.
Viasat selects Rocket Lab for secure satellite bus Viasat chose Rocket Lab to build a secure mini-GEO satellite bus for the Protected Tactical SATCOM-Global military communications constellation. This advances Viasat's military satcom offerings and could lead to future government contracts.
This is a new partnership that supports Viasat's defense business and technology roadmap.

Latest5 Aug – 22 Sep 2026

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ViaSat-3 constellation complete, cash flow positive, defense wins

ViaSat-3 F2 enters service, completing global constellation ViaSat-3 F2 entered service across the Americas, completing the ViaSat-3 constellation and tripling global bandwidth. This boosts Viasat's ability to serve aviation, maritime, government and broadband customers, supporting revenue growth and pricing power.
This is the biggest new event, directly expanding Viasat's core capacity and service offerings.
Positive free cash flow and strong backlog Viasat reported positive free cash flow of $72 million, up 19%, and backlog rose 19% to $4.2 billion. Management expects about $180 million free cash flow for fiscal 2027, signaling improving financial health and ability to fund growth.
This shows the company is generating cash and growing its order book, key for investor confidence.
Space Force awards $60M to break SpaceX monopoly Viasat was one of five companies awarded a $12 million contract to integrate with the Space Data Network, expanding its government business. This reduces reliance on SpaceX and opens new defense revenue streams.
This is a new government contract win that diversifies Viasat's revenue and strengthens its defense segment.
Viasat selects Rocket Lab for secure satellite bus Viasat chose Rocket Lab to build a secure mini-GEO satellite bus for the Protected Tactical SATCOM-Global military communications constellation. This advances Viasat's military satcom offerings and could lead to future government contracts.
This is a new partnership that supports Viasat's defense business and technology roadmap.

July 202617 Jun – 17 Jul 2026

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Viasat Rises on Defense Wins, Patent Award, and M&A Speculation

Defense demand drives growth Viasat won a US Space Force contract to build a dual-band mini-GEO satellite, showing its key role in military satellite communications. Rising global defense spending boosts demand for its secure networks, pushing the stock up.
This new contract directly adds to Viasat's backlog and confirms strong defense demand, a major growth driver.
Patent win adds cash A US jury found Kioxia infringed Viasat's patents and awarded $229 million in damages. This cash infusion strengthens Viasat's finances and validates its intellectual property, lifting the stock.
The patent verdict is a new, concrete financial win that improves Viasat's cash position and sentiment.
Automotive satellite breakthrough Viasat demonstrated the first in-vehicle satellite voice call with BMW, using its L-band network. This opens a new market for connected cars, showing technology leadership and future revenue potential.
The automotive demo highlights a new growth avenue and technological edge, supporting the bullish case.
M&A speculation and SpaceX pressure Viasat jumped 17% on speculation it could be acquired after Rocket Lab bought Iridium. But SpaceX's IPO has hurt smaller space stocks, including Viasat, as investors favor proven players. Consolidation hopes and competitive threats create mixed signals.
This captures both the positive M&A buzz and the negative competitive impact from SpaceX, key forces behind recent price swings.

17 Jun – 17 Jul 2026

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Viasat Rises on Defense Wins, Patent Award, and M&A Speculation

Defense demand drives growth Viasat won a US Space Force contract to build a dual-band mini-GEO satellite, showing its key role in military satellite communications. Rising global defense spending boosts demand for its secure networks, pushing the stock up.
This new contract directly adds to Viasat's backlog and confirms strong defense demand, a major growth driver.
Patent win adds cash A US jury found Kioxia infringed Viasat's patents and awarded $229 million in damages. This cash infusion strengthens Viasat's finances and validates its intellectual property, lifting the stock.
The patent verdict is a new, concrete financial win that improves Viasat's cash position and sentiment.
Automotive satellite breakthrough Viasat demonstrated the first in-vehicle satellite voice call with BMW, using its L-band network. This opens a new market for connected cars, showing technology leadership and future revenue potential.
The automotive demo highlights a new growth avenue and technological edge, supporting the bullish case.
M&A speculation and SpaceX pressure Viasat jumped 17% on speculation it could be acquired after Rocket Lab bought Iridium. But SpaceX's IPO has hurt smaller space stocks, including Viasat, as investors favor proven players. Consolidation hopes and competitive threats create mixed signals.
This captures both the positive M&A buzz and the negative competitive impact from SpaceX, key forces behind recent price swings.