LASR vs. ASTS

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

LASR (nLIGHT, Inc.) and ASTS (AST SpaceMobile, Inc.) are both stocks. LASR operates in Semiconductors (Technology), while ASTS operates in Telecom Services (Communication Services). Over the past 5 years, LASR returned 21.84%/yr vs 67.26%/yr for ASTS. At a 0.32 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

LASR vs. ASTS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in nLIGHT, Inc. (LASR) and AST SpaceMobile, Inc. (ASTS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, LASR achieves a 103.65% return, which is significantly higher than ASTS's 48.33% return.

LASR

• 1D: 0.04%
• 1M: 10.06%
• YTD: 103.65%
• 6M: 123.89%
• 1Y: 366.93%
• 3Y*: 74.69%
• 5Y*: 21.84%
• 10Y*: —

ASTS

• 1D: -8.83%
• 1M: 57.43%
• YTD: 48.33%
• 6M: 75.34%
• 1Y: 327.84%
• 3Y*: 167.63%
• 5Y*: 67.26%
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

LASR vs. ASTS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
LASR nLIGHT, Inc.	103.65%	257.58%	-22.30%	33.14%	-57.66%	-26.65%	61.00%	43.83%
ASTS AST SpaceMobile, Inc.	48.33%	244.22%	249.92%	25.10%	-39.29%	-41.53%	37.59%	1.02%

Correlation

The correlation between LASR and ASTS is 0.43, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.43
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.36
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.38
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 4, 2019	0.32

The correlation between LASR and ASTS shifts across timeframes, from 0.32 (all time) to 0.43 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Fundamentals

Market Cap LASR : $4.58B ASTS : $31.32B
EPS LASR : -$0.28 ASTS : -$1.84
PS Ratio LASR : 13.85 ASTS : 336.59
PB Ratio LASR : 10.67 ASTS : 11.77
Total Revenue (TTM) LASR : $289.84M ASTS : $84.94M
Gross Profit (TTM) LASR : $90.68M ASTS : -$22.93M
EBITDA (TTM) LASR : -$3.27M ASTS : -$536.80M

Return for Risk

LASR vs. ASTS — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

LASR

LASR Risk / Return Rank: 97
LASR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
LASR Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
LASR Omega Ratio Rank: 93
LASR Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
LASR Martin Ratio Rank: 99

ASTS

ASTS Risk / Return Rank: 91
ASTS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
ASTS Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
ASTS Omega Ratio Rank: 85
ASTS Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
ASTS Martin Ratio Rank: 91

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

LASR vs. ASTS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for nLIGHT, Inc. (LASR) and AST SpaceMobile, Inc. (ASTS). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	LASR	ASTS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	4.82	3.15	+1.67
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.05	3.06	+0.99
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.52	1.36	+0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	14.95	6.93	+8.02
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	52.43	13.81	+38.62
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

LASR vs. ASTS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LASR Sharpe Ratio is 4.82, which is higher than the ASTS Sharpe Ratio of 3.15. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LASR and ASTS, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	LASR	ASTS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.82	3.15	+1.67
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.34	0.61	-0.27
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.21	0.44	-0.23

Drawdowns

LASR vs. ASTS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LASR drawdown since its inception was -85.66%, smaller than the maximum ASTS drawdown of -91.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LASR and ASTS.

Drawdown Indicators

	LASR	ASTS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-85.66%	-91.07%	+5.41%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-24.74%	-47.69%	+22.95%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-59.01%	-70.66%	+11.65%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-82.47%	-85.57%	+3.10%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.08%	-19.05%	+8.97%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-52.79%	-43.41%	-9.38%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.04%	23.88%	-16.84%

Volatility

LASR vs. ASTS - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for nLIGHT, Inc. (LASR) is 28.10%, while AST SpaceMobile, Inc. (ASTS) has a volatility of 40.51%. This indicates that LASR experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ASTS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	LASR	ASTS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	28.10%	40.51%	-12.41%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	58.60%	83.96%	-25.36%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	76.78%	104.86%	-28.08%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	64.92%	111.63%	-46.71%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	66.22%	100.49%	-34.27%

Dividends

LASR vs. ASTS - Dividend Comparison

Neither LASR nor ASTS has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Financials

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LASR and ASTS in my portfolio?

LASR and ASTS have a correlation of 0.43, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, LASR or ASTS?

ASTS has higher volatility (40.51%) compared to LASR (28.10%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LASR dropped -85.66% vs ASTS's -91.07%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LASR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.82 vs 3.15), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.