Market Outlook for Innovative Industries

• AST SpaceMobile faces challenges heading into 2025. Nonetheless, there’s considerable potential as the satellite cell phone technology company ramps up its commercialization efforts.

• Archer Aviation continues to lead the “flying taxi” stock sector and is possibly just a few years shy of its much-anticipated launch.

• The introduction of an affordable vehicle next year might significantly change the game for Rivian Automotive.

When you think of industrial stocks, you might picture traditional sectors like steel and machinery. But there’s a lot more happening today. The sector also encompasses rapidly growing fields such as electric vehicles (EVs), airborne taxis, and businesses working on space commercialization.

As we look at which industrial stocks might actually outshine the market in the next five years, some “new-school” companies really stand out: Archer Aviation, AST SpaceMobile, and Rivian Automotive.

The eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) sector has captured significant interest lately. Even if stocks like Archer Aviation have seen some decline recently, it would be a mistake to assume that interest is waning. Just last month, Archer made major strides in its commercialization process, forming new manufacturing partnerships and advancing its air taxi services in both the U.S. and Saudi Arabia.

Archer is still not profitable as it heads toward 2025, but analysts forecast a strong revenue projection for its first year in 2026—around $32 million. By 2030, the eVTOL market could potentially become a $29 billion industry, and Archer might just become a leading player, with stock values potentially soaring.

Now, AST SpaceMobile hasn’t been having the best year. While its stock has climbed 244% this year, that doesn’t necessarily indicate a strong launch for this communications technology firm. Still, the company’s recent progress in commercialization has really contributed to its positive performance. Although this year’s sales are expected to grow by an astounding 1,200%, the forecasts for 2026 suggest even quicker growth, with a 342.6% increase expected.

Looking ahead, AST SpaceMobile could be on the brink of stable profitability, potentially by 2027 or 2028. At that stage, analysts project it could report earnings per share of around $0.35 to $2.57.

We can’t forget about the EV landscape, where Rivian Automotive is still in the game. While some startups have vanished, Rivian continues to show promise. This year, the company has started to report positive gross margins consistently, and next year might see the rollout of its R2 series of cost-effective SUVs, hitting key production and delivery benchmarks that could boost profitability.

Their stock price has already jumped from $15 to over $20 in anticipation of that R2 launch. If the vehicle lives up to expectations and achieves substantial sales, Rivian could be moving closer to recognized profitability, which would likely push its stock even higher.

Before investing in AST SpaceMobile, though, it’s worth considering other options. Analysts have pointed out top stocks with greater potential for impressive returns, and AST SpaceMobile isn’t currently on that list.

In sum, the industrial sector is diverse and evolving. Keeping an eye on these trends—as well as the companies fueling them—could provide opportunities for savvy investors.