ViaSat rises after report Barclays lifts rating to 'equalweight'

Satellite communications firm ViaSat's shares VSAT.O rise 8.2% to $58.30 premarket

Barclays upgrades its rating on stock to "equalweight" from "underweight", Investing.com reports

Report says brokerage cites VSAT's approaching free cash flow break-even and upcoming launch of a key satellite as factors for upgrade

Adds that brokerage notes VSAT's strategic reviews could lead to the disposal of co's defense business

Barclay's lifts price target to $49 from an undisclosed prior level according to report, incorporating a higher valuation for defense assets along with potential spectrum assets valuation upside

Five brokerages rate the stock "buy" or higher, 3 "hold" and 1 "sell"; their median PT is $50 - LSEG compiled data

As of last close, stock had risen 56.4% YTD