Should You Buy Intuitive Machines While It's Below $12?

Core Viewpoint - Intuitive Machines' stock has seen a significant increase despite missing earnings, and it is now considered cheap enough to buy, with a 20% rise since the Q1 earnings report [1]. Financial Performance - In Q1, Intuitive Machines reported a loss of $0.11 per share, an improvement from a loss of $2.68 per share in the same quarter last year [3]. - Sales for Q1 were $62.5 million, down 15% year-over-year, but are projected to rebound by 10% in Q2 [3]. - The company generated positive free cash flow of $13.3 million in Q1, the first occurrence in over two years, although analysts expect cash burn in the next three quarters totaling $15 million [4][5]. Long-term Prospects - Intuitive Machines is becoming a key contractor for NASA, having secured four "IM" missions to the moon, with two completed and two scheduled for 2026 and 2027 [7]. - The company has faced challenges with its landers, but management is addressing these issues for future missions, and NASA is satisfied enough to provide success payments for the IM-2 mission [8]. - Intuitive Machines is also working on a $4.8 billion Near Space Network contract, which is expected to generate approximately $480 million in annual revenue over the next decade [9]. Stock Valuation - The stock price has increased significantly post-earnings, currently around $11, which is nearly double the price paid previously [10]. - Despite being down about 50% from its all-time high in January, the stock is still considered to be at the high end of fair value for an unprofitable space stock, priced at 4.1 times trailing sales [11][12].