MSCI Inc’s February Quarterly Index Review confirmed the addition of AST SpaceMobile, Coherent, and FTAI Aviation to the MSCI World Index, activating the index effect. Passive mutual funds, ETFs and institutional portfolios that track the benchmark must adjust holdings by the close of business on Feb. 27, creating predictable buying demand for these stocks.

AST SpaceMobile has transitioned from speculative concept to operational broadband provider with the successful deployment of its BlueBird 6 satellite on Dec. 23 and array confirmation on Feb. 10. The company’s direct-to-device technology, which links standard smartphones to space-based cellular networks, plus partnerships with AT&T, Verizon and Vodafone, validated its market-cap and liquidity criteria.

Coherent posted record Q2 revenue of $1.69 billion driven by 800G and 1.6T optical transceivers that alleviate data-center bottlenecks. Under leadership focus on core photonics hardware and divestiture of non-core assets, the company improved profit margins and became a cash-generating business, meeting index inclusion thresholds.

FTAI Aviation leveraged its CFM56 jet-engine portfolio and The Module Factory network to address a global aircraft shortage by swapping engine modules for rapid turnaround. A Jan. 22 deal with CFM International also initiates conversion of jet engines into power generators for data centers, creating a dual aerospace and industrial growth avenue.