Key Highlights
- Shares of Intuitive Machines climbed +14.1% during morning session on May 26, reaching a 52-week peak of $45.52
- Cantor Fitzgerald upgraded its price objective to $43 from a previous $26, maintaining an Overweight stance
- A decision on the critical Lunar Terrain Vehicle (LTV) award is expected imminently, with company leadership expressing strong confidence in securing the contract
- The firm secured a spot among 14 companies awarded the U.S. Space Force’s Andromeda IDIQ contract, valued at up to $6.24 billion collectively
- Wider space industry momentum, sparked by SpaceX’s public offering announcement, provided additional tailwinds for the rally
Shares of Intuitive Machines rallied 14.1% on May 26, climbing to a fresh 52-week peak of $45.52 before moderating to approximately $43.65.
Intuitive Machines, Inc., LUNR
The surge followed a positive research note from Cantor Fitzgerald’s Andres Sheppard, who elevated his price objective on LUNR to $43 from $26 while reaffirming an Overweight recommendation.
Sheppard’s analysis highlighted multiple forthcoming catalysts, notably an anticipated announcement regarding the Lunar Terrain Vehicle (LTV) contract and the company’s scheduled IM-3 lunar mission set for the latter half of 2026.
Company executives indicated they anticipate the LTV contract determination within days and have communicated strong optimism about securing the award.
The firm also earned designation as one of 14 recipients under the U.S. Space Force’s Andromeda IDIQ framework — a decade-long arrangement with an initial ceiling of up to $1.84 billion and potential aggregate value reaching $6.24 billion across all participants.
According to Cantor Fitzgerald, the Andromeda contract represents incremental upside not yet reflected in current financial projections.
Space Industry Stocks Rise on SpaceX Public Offering News
The equity’s advance wasn’t driven solely by the analyst commentary. Excitement rippled through space-related equities following SpaceX‘s public disclosure of what may become a record-breaking initial public offering.
Companies such as Redwire similarly recorded advances amid the developments. In recent months, nine space-themed ETFs have either been filed with regulators or commenced trading, positioning LUNR as a favored vehicle for investors seeking publicly traded exposure to the sector.
The Nasdaq Composite index advanced 1.3% during the session, offering supportive conditions for high-momentum securities like LUNR.
The stock has appreciated approximately 238% over the trailing twelve months and was already trading close to its annual high before Monday’s session.
Contract Backlog and Financial Outlook
LUNR’s contract backlog expanded nearly 400% to reach $1.055 billion in Q1 2026, with leadership projecting that 60–65% of that pipeline will translate into revenue before the conclusion of fiscal 2026.
Management reiterated its full-year revenue projection of $900 million to $1 billion, alongside expectations for positive adjusted EBITDA during fiscal 2026.
This represents a substantial increase from the approximately $210 million in revenue anticipated for fiscal 2025, partially attributable to the Lanteris acquisition.
The first quarter financial results fell short of Wall Street expectations. The company reported EPS of -$0.25 versus the anticipated -$0.06, while revenue of $186.7 million trailed the $200.12 million consensus estimate.
Notwithstanding the shortfall, leadership maintained its annual guidance, preserving analyst conviction in the company’s trajectory.
Cantor Fitzgerald forecasts revenue exceeding $900 million in fiscal 2026, aligning closely with management’s own projections.
