If you're investing in Starfighters Space Inc. (FJET), buckle up. The newly public commercial space company is up Wednesday morning after getting absolutely hammered on Tuesday, and the whole thing has been a masterclass in post-IPO volatility.
The Rollercoaster Continues
Here's the timeline: Monday brought a stunning 300% surge that sent shares to $31.50. Tuesday delivered a 50% correction. Wednesday? Traders are back, buying the dip and sending the stock higher again. It's the kind of price action that makes you wonder if the stock chart is tracking altitude or actual share price.
What's driving this chaos? Part of it is simple supply and demand physics. Starfighters has a relatively small float, which means when interest spikes, prices can swing dramatically. Add in speculative enthusiasm around the broader space sector and rumors about SpaceX potentially going public, and you've got a recipe for exaggerated moves across the entire aerospace industry.
The Business Model
Beyond the trading frenzy, there's an actual company here with a genuinely interesting operational approach. Headquartered at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Starfighters operates a fleet of F-104 supersonic jets that air-launch satellites from 45,000 feet. The advantage? They completely sidestep the weather delays and infrastructure bottlenecks that plague traditional vertical rocket launches.
The company also serves as an R&D partner for GE Aerospace and Lockheed Martin, providing high-speed testing capabilities. It's a niche but potentially valuable position in the aerospace ecosystem.
What's Next
Last week's IPO raised $40 million at $3.59 per share. That capital is earmarked for expansion to Midland, Texas, and acquiring F-4 Phantoms to add to the fleet. While Starfighters has ambitions for future orbital dominance, the near-term story is all about price discovery and volatile trading as the market figures out what this company is actually worth.
Shares were trading up 7.73% at $13.94 Wednesday, according to market data. The past week's range tells the whole story: a low of $5.99 and a high of $31.50. That's not just volatility—that's a stock that's still trying to find its footing in public markets.
For investors, the wide price range suggests both significant upside potential and substantial downside risk. The company's unique approach to satellite launches and partnerships with major aerospace players provide a compelling long-term thesis, but the short-term trading action remains anyone's guess. If you're jumping in now, just remember: what goes up 300% in a day can come down just as fast.