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Upturn stock rating
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Iridium Communications Inc (IRDM)

Upturn stock rating
$17.32
Last Close (24-hour delay)
upturn advisory
PASS
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  • SELL Advisory (Profit)
  • SELL Advisory (Loss)
  • Profit
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Upturn Stock info Stock price based on last close
*as per simulation
(see disclosures)
Time period over
  • ALL
  • 1Y
  • 1M
  • 1W

Upturn Advisory Summary

10/28/2025: IRDM (1-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.

Upturn Star Rating

rating

Not Recommended Performance

These Stocks/ETFs, based on Upturn Advisory, consistently fall short of market performance, signaling caution before investing.

Number of Analysts

rating

9 Analysts rated it

Limited analyst coverage, niche firm, research info may be scarce.

1 Year Target Price $29.75

1 Year Target Price $29.75

Analysts Price Target For last 52 week
$29.75 Target price
52w Low $16.94
Current$17.32
52w High $33.82

Analysis of Past Performance

Type Stock
Historic Profit -50.3%
Avg. Invested days 28
Today’s Advisory PASS
Upturn Star Rating upturn star rating icon
Upturn Advisory Performance Upturn Advisory Performance 1.0
Stock Returns Performance Upturn Returns Performance 1.0
Upturn Profits based on simulation Profits based on simulation
Upturn Profits based on simulation Last Close 10/28/2025

Key Highlights

Company Size Small-Cap Stock
Market Capitalization 1.81B USD
Price to earnings Ratio 15.33
1Y Target Price 29.75
Price to earnings Ratio 15.33
1Y Target Price 29.75
Volume (30-day avg) 9
Beta 0.69
52 Weeks Range 16.94 - 33.82
Updated Date 10/28/2025
52 Weeks Range 16.94 - 33.82
Updated Date 10/28/2025
Dividends yield (FY) 3.18%
Basic EPS (TTM) 1.13

Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth

Revenue by Products

Product revenue - Year on Year

Revenue by Geography

Geography revenue - Year on Year

Earnings Date

Report Date 2025-10-15
When Before Market
Estimate 0.2919
Actual 0.35

Profitability

Profit Margin 14.44%
Operating Margin (TTM) 30.88%

Management Effectiveness

Return on Assets (TTM) 5.56%
Return on Equity (TTM) 22.59%

Valuation

Trailing PE 15.33
Forward PE 12.85
Enterprise Value 3707823431
Price to Sales(TTM) 2.08
Enterprise Value 3707823431
Price to Sales(TTM) 2.08
Enterprise Value to Revenue 4.32
Enterprise Value to EBITDA 8.76
Shares Outstanding 104745684
Shares Floating 91688087
Shares Outstanding 104745684
Shares Floating 91688087
Percent Insiders 12.53
Percent Institutions 96.33

ai summary icon Upturn AI SWOT

Iridium Communications Inc

stock logo

Company Overview

overview logo History and Background

Iridium Communications Inc. was founded in the mid-1980s and commercially launched its satellite constellation in 1998. Initially facing financial difficulties, it emerged from bankruptcy in 2000. Since then, it has focused on providing satellite-based voice and data communication services. The company completed its next-generation constellation, Iridium NEXT, in 2019.

business area logo Core Business Areas

  • Commercial Services: Provides voice and data services to various industries, including maritime, aviation, oil and gas, mining, government, and IoT.
  • Government Services: Offers specialized communication solutions to U.S. and international government agencies.
  • Equipment: Sales of satellite phones, modems, and other related hardware.
  • Engineering and Support: Provides engineering, maintenance, and support for its satellite constellation.

leadership logo Leadership and Structure

Matt Desch serves as the CEO of Iridium Communications Inc. The company operates with a hierarchical structure, encompassing various departments such as operations, finance, sales, marketing, and engineering.

Top Products and Market Share

overview logo Key Offerings

  • Iridium Certus: A broadband service offering L-band connectivity for various applications, including maritime, aviation, and land-mobile. Market share for L-band satellite communications is competitive, with Iridium holding a significant position, but specific market share is difficult to pinpoint precisely. Competitors include Inmarsat and Globalstar.
  • Iridium GO!: A personal hotspot device that enables smartphone connectivity via satellite for voice and data communication. While Iridium doesn't disclose specific revenue from this product alone, it contributes meaningfully to subscriber growth. Competitors include Garmin and SPOT.
  • Satellite Phones (9575A, etc.): Handheld satellite phones for voice communication. Sales volume is significant in areas where terrestrial networks are unavailable. Competitors include Thuraya and Inmarsat.
  • IoT Solutions: Various IoT solutions using the Iridium satellite network to connect remote devices and assets. High demand across various segments with continuous growth as technology is advancing. Competitors are ORBCOMM and Globalstar.

Market Dynamics

industry overview logo Industry Overview

The satellite communications industry is characterized by intense competition, technological advancements, and increasing demand for connectivity in remote areas. The industry is witnessing growth in the IoT sector, driving adoption of satellite-based solutions.

Positioning

Iridium Communications Inc. is a leading provider of satellite-based communications. Its unique pole-to-pole coverage provides it with a competitive advantage over other satellite operators with geostationary satellites.

Total Addressable Market (TAM)

The global satellite communication market is expected to reach several billion dollars, and its growing. Iridium is positioned well to capitalize on this market because of its comprehensive network coverage and its broad array of offerings from personal hotspots to custom IoT devices.

Upturn SWOT Analysis

Strengths

  • Global coverage (pole-to-pole)
  • Reliable network
  • Iridium NEXT constellation
  • Strong government contracts
  • Diversified service offerings

Weaknesses

  • Higher service costs compared to terrestrial networks
  • Susceptible to weather conditions
  • Relatively slow data speeds compared to terrestrial broadband
  • Smaller brand recognition compared to larger telecom providers

Opportunities

  • Growth in IoT market
  • Expansion into new geographic regions
  • Strategic partnerships
  • Increasing demand for satellite-based broadband
  • Growth in government and defense sectors

Threats

  • Competition from other satellite operators
  • Technological advancements in terrestrial networks
  • Regulatory changes
  • Economic downturn
  • Cybersecurity risks

Competitors and Market Share

competitor logo Key Competitors

  • ORBC (ORBCOMM Inc.)
  • INMD (Inmarsat - now part of Viasat Inc.)
  • ASTS (AST SpaceMobile Inc.)
  • GSAT (Globalstar Inc.)

Competitive Landscape

Iridium's key advantages include its pole-to-pole coverage and its modern Iridium NEXT constellation. Disadvantages include higher costs compared to terrestrial networks and some competitors. It is important for the company to expand brand awareness to attract a wider range of customers.

Major Acquisitions

Satelles

  • Year: 2023
  • Acquisition Price (USD millions): 115
  • Strategic Rationale: Enhances Iridium's portfolio with precision time and location services, broadening its capabilities beyond communication. It opens new markets.

Growth Trajectory and Initiatives

Historical Growth: Iridium Communications Inc. has experienced growth driven by expansion in its subscriber base, particularly in the IoT and government sectors.

Future Projections: Analysts predict continued growth driven by demand for satellite connectivity in IoT and broadband applications. Revenue will continue to expand as the company expands on new products and services.

Recent Initiatives: Strategic initiatives include partnerships with technology companies, expansion into new markets, and ongoing upgrades to its network infrastructure.

Summary

Iridium Communications Inc. is a robust player in the satellite communication industry, characterized by its unique pole-to-pole coverage and modern constellation. Its strength lies in government contracts and diversified service offerings. Iridium's higher service costs compared to terrestrial networks are a weakness that needs to be considered in the future. Expansion into IoT markets and growth through partnerships are significant opportunities.

Similar Stocks

Sources and Disclaimers

Data Sources:

  • Company Filings (SEC)
  • Analyst Reports
  • Industry Research Reports
  • Company Website

Disclaimers:

The information provided is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Market conditions and company performance can change rapidly, and past performance is not indicative of future results.

Upturn AI Summarization AI Summarization is directionally correct and might not be accurate.

Upturn AI Summarization Summarized information shown could be a few years old and not current.

Upturn AI Summarization Fundamental Rating based on AI could be based on old data.

Upturn AI Summarization AI-generated summaries may have inaccuracies (hallucinations). Please verify the information before taking action.

About Iridium Communications Inc

Exchange NASDAQ
Headquaters McLean, VA, United States
IPO Launch date 2008-03-20
CEO & Director Mr. Matthew J. Desch
Sector Communication Services
Industry Telecom Services
Full time employees 873
Full time employees 873

Iridium Communications Inc. provides mobile voice and data communications services and products to businesses, the United States and international governments, non-governmental organizations, and consumers worldwide. The company offers mobile satellite communications services for land mobile end users and aviation sectors; broadband terminals, embedded devices, and handsets for merchant shipping, fishing, leisure and research vessels, and specialized watercraft; satellite-based IoT services; hosted payload and other data services; and other data services and engineering services. It also provides postpaid mobile voice and data satellite communications; prepaid mobile voice satellite communications; push-to-talk; broadband data; Internet of Things (IoT); and satellite time and location services. In addition, the company offers personnel tracking devices; asset tracking devices for equipment, vehicles, and aircrafts; beyond-line-of-sight aircraft communications applications; maritime communications applications; specialized communications solutions for high-value individuals; and mobile communications and data devices for the military and other government agencies, such as secure satellite handsets; and maintenance services for the U.S. government's dedicated gateway. Further, it provides satellite handsets, voice and data modems, broadband data devices, and IoT data devices; and various accessories for its devices that include batteries, holsters, earbud headphones, portable auxiliary antennas, antenna adaptors, USB data cables, charging units, and others. The company sells its products and services to commercial end users through a wholesale distribution network that include service providers, and value-added resellers and manufacturers. The company was formerly known as Iridium Holdings LLC and changed its name to Iridium Communications Inc. in September 2009. Iridium Communications Inc. is headquartered in McLean, Virginia.