OCBC raises 2026 outlook after third-quarter profit beats estimates
The Singapore lender now forecasts low-double-digit loan growth and lower credit costs, despite weaker insurance and trading income.
Firefly wins $1.3 billion engine contract for AST SpaceMobile rocket
AST is targeting a late 2028 debut for Blacklift, while the agreement gives it a license to eventually manufacture the engines itself.
Firefly Aerospace will provide engines for AST SpaceMobile's planned Blacklift rocket through a $1.3 billion agreement announced November 6, as the satellite communications company seeks to reduce its dependence on outside launch providers.
The contract covers 27 Miranda engines and 9 Vira in-space engines to equip Blacklift's first three rockets. It also licenses AST to manufacture the engines itself eventually. Following the announcement, Firefly shares rose about 18%, while AST's stock gained about 1%.
AST said it aims to launch Blacklift for the first time in late 2028. The company said the rocket is intended to be reusable and carry as many as five BlueBird satellites on each flight.
AST still intends to use other rocket providers and said it has more than 100 launch agreements in place. It is seeking to deploy 248 satellites to complete a worldwide broadband network designed to connect directly to mobile phones.
About a dozen BlueBird satellites have reached space since 2024 using rockets operated by SpaceX, Blue Origin and the Indian Space Research Organisation. An April problem involving Blue Origin's New Glenn left one BlueBird below its intended orbit; the satellite deorbited days afterward.