Iridium Communications Inc logo

Iridium Communications Inc(IRDM)

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EXPLORE ADVISORIES AND THEIR HISTORY
QUALITY SIGNAL
2-STAR RATING
PASS
LAST CLOSE
$46.05
10/29/2026
(24-hour delay)

Advisory History & Simulated Performance *

*as per simulation (see disclosures)
  • ALL
  • 1Y
  • 1M
  • 1W
  • BUY Advisory
  • SELL Advisory (Profit)
  • SELL Advisory (Loss)
  • Profit
  • Loss
  • PASS (Skip)
Upturn Stock price based on last close iconStock price based on last close
Simulated performance—not actual client returns. Excludes advisory subscription fees, trading commissions, and taxes, which would reduce returns. Results depend on calculation assumptions and do not guarantee future outcomes. See Disclosures for full methodology, assumptions, and limitations.

Advisory Performance History (Simulated)Advisory Performance History info

Simulated performance—not actual client returns. Excludes advisory subscription fees, trading commissions, and taxes, which would reduce returns. Results depend on calculation assumptions and do not guarantee future outcomes. See Disclosures for full methodology, assumptions, and limitations.

Upturn Advisory & Investor View for IRDM

10/29/2026: IRDM (2-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.

Iridium Communications is a satellite service provider known for its unique pole-to-pole, low-earth orbit network, which supports critical global communications. The company benefits from stable, recurring revenue, particularly through long-term contracts with the U.S. government, providing a solid foundation for its recently initiated dividend. Its primary investment opportunity lies in growing the satellite IoT market and providing secure positioning services. However, the company faces significant competition from new mega-constellations, which may pressure market share and pricing. Iridium is best suited for income-focused investors who value the defensive nature of government contracts, though they must monitor the evolving competitive landscape in space-based connectivity.

How to Read the Upturn Advisory

The Upturn Star Rating and the current BUY, SELL, or PASS advisory are generated by Upturn’s AI advisory engine based on proprietary signal analysis, price behavior, advisory history, and historical signal performance.

Company fundamentals, valuation, risks, and news provide supporting context about the business.

Investor Fit

Investor styleFitWhy
Growth investorMixed fitIridium offers steady, predictable growth rather than rapid hyper-growth.
Momentum investorWeak fitThe stock typically exhibits lower volatility compared to high-growth tech momentum plays.
Value investorMixed fitValuation is often tied to stable cash flows, which may appear expensive if growth remains moderate.
Dividend investorStrong fit while signal remains positiveThe company has established a dividend, making it attractive for income-focused investors looking for satellite exposure.
Low-risk investorMixed fitWhile service revenues are stable, the company operates in a high-tech, capital-intensive sector with inherent operational risks.

Risk Profile

Risk factorLevelWhy it matters
Price volatilityMediumThe stock can be sensitive to sector-wide news and broad market interest in space technology.
Valuation riskMediumInvestors should monitor if the stock price reflects future growth expectations for satellite IoT.
Competition risk (Space / Connectivity)HighAggressive expansion by LEO competitors like SpaceX could pressure Iridium's market share in commercial segments.
Business qualityStrongThe company benefits from high-moat, recurring service revenue and essential infrastructure status.
Dividend incomeMediumThe dividend is relatively new, and its long-term sustainability depends on continued free cash flow generation.
Execution riskMediumMaintaining a complex satellite constellation requires ongoing technical operational excellence.

Price Behavior

Rolling Over
PRICE PATH

Rolling Over

The price momentum is slowing down and beginning to turn downward.

Choppy
PRICE STABILITY

Choppy

The stock has experienced frequent reversals and pronounced short-term price swings.

Analysis of Past Performance

Type Stock
Historic Profit -20.68%
Avg. Invested days 28
Today’s Advisory PASS
Upturn Advisory Rating upturn star rating icon
Upturn Advisory Performance Upturn Advisory Performance icon 1.0
Stock Returns Performance Upturn Returns Performance icon 1.0
Upturn Profits based on simulation icon Profits based on simulation
Upturn last close icon Last Close 10/29/2026

Upturn Scorecard

Upturn Star Rating

★★★★★
IRDM receives a 4-star rating, supported by strong unit economics, and solid company fundamentals. The rating is constrained by weak price momentum, and limited analyst upside.

Company Fundamentals

★★★★★
IRDM has solid overall fundamentals (4 stars), with solid financial health, moderate growth momentum, and strong ownership. In FY2025 versus FY2024, moderate earnings growth (+1.4%) and strong cash generation (FCF margin 34.4%) are partially offset by moderate revenue growth (+4.9%).

Financial Health Rating

★★★★★
IRDM's financial health is supported by solid profitability, including gross margin of 77.3% and operating margin of 27.1%. Overall financial-health metrics support a 4-star score.

Growth Momentum Score

★★★★★
Revenue growth is IRDM's strongest growth driver at +4.9% FY2025 versus FY2024 (moderate, 3 stars). By comparison, while free-cash-flow growth (-2.0%, slightly negative) holds the profile back, so recent growth is not broad-based across the business.

Ownership

★★★★★
Institutional ownership is 88.9% and approximately 82.1% of outstanding shares are publicly tradable, supporting liquidity and institutional participation. Insider ownership of 11.86% supports management-shareholder alignment.

Top 5 Institutional Investors

BlackRock Inc 12.69%
AQR Capital Management LLC 6.46%
Vanguard Portfolio Management, LLC 5.13%
American Century Companies Inc 4.58%
State Street Corp 4.47%

Unit Economics (Per $1K Revenue)

★★★★★
IRDM generates approximately $773 of gross profit, $271 of operating income, and $344 of free cash flow for every $1,000 of revenue. Based on FY2025 results. Strong margins and strong cash conversion support the rating, although capital efficiency remains soft.

Economic Dimensions

★★★★★
Effective Tax Rate: 19.45%

Quantitative Style Profile

★★★★★
IRDM has a high-quality, liquid profile. Weak momentum is the primary drawback, while valuation that is moderately attractive rather than deeply discounted.

Style Classification

Quality Focused

Quality TiltSmall / Mid Cap RiskHighly Liquid / Institution-Friendly

Key Highlights

Company Size Mid-Cap Stock
Market Capitalization 4.87B USD
Price to earnings Ratio 29.83
1Y Target Price 48
Price to earnings Ratio 29.83
1Y Target Price 48
Volume (30-day avg) 1.1M shares
Beta 0.85
52 Weeks Range 15.33 - 56.99
Updated Date 10/29/2026
52 Weeks Range 15.33 - 56.99
Updated Date 10/29/2026
Dividends yield (FY) 1.31%
Basic EPS (TTM) 1.54

How Company Makes Money

Business areaWhat it includesRetail investor read
Commercial ServicesVoice and data services for maritime, aviation, and land-mobile users.This is the core ongoing revenue stream from customers who pay for recurring satellite access.
Government ServicesManaged satellite services for U.S. and international government entities.Provides highly stable, long-term revenue that is largely immune to economic downturns.
Equipment and EngineeringHardware modules and terminals.These sales act as a gateway, locking customers into the Iridium service network.

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 2026-10-20
When Before Market
Estimate 0.29
Actual 0.38

Profitability

Profit Margin 18.06%
Operating Margin (TTM) 12.87%

Management Effectiveness

Return on Assets (TTM) 3.81%
Return on Equity (TTM) 31.74%

Valuation

Trailing PE 29.83
Forward PE 23.15
Enterprise Value 6.42B
Price to Sales(TTM) 5.39
Enterprise Value 6.42B
Price to Sales(TTM) 5.39
Enterprise Value to Revenue 7.26
Enterprise Value to EBITDA 15.19
Shares Outstanding 105.98M
Shares Floating 87.04M
Shares Outstanding 105.98M
Shares Floating 87.04M
Percent Insiders 11.86
Percent Institutions 88.94

Financial Metrics

🧭 Investment Snapshot

Total Revenue (Scale)

Information icon Total money earned from selling products or services before any costs. It is needed to understand the scale of the business and its ability to generate income.

Net Income (Profit)

Information icon Final profit after all expenses, interest, and taxes are deducted. It is needed to determine the overall profitability available to shareholders.

Free Cash Flow (Cash Strength)

Information icon Cash remaining after operating activities and capital expenditures, showing cash available for growth. It is needed to evaluate the company’s ability to invest, pay dividends, or reduce debt.

📈 Growth & Strength

Operating Income (Core Profit)

Information icon Profit from core operations after deducting all operating expenses. It is needed to measure how efficiently the company runs its primary business activities.

EBITDA (Cash Earnings)

Information icon Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, indicating operating cash potential. It is needed to compare operating performance across companies without accounting or financing differences.

Gross Profit (Unit Profitability)

Information icon Revenue minus cost of revenue, showing profit after direct production costs. It is needed to evaluate core business profitability before overhead expenses.

🛡️ Financial Safety

Cash (Liquidity Buffer)

Information icon Total cash and cash equivalents on hand. It is needed to evaluate immediate liquidity and financial flexibility.

Total Debt (Leverage Risk)

Information icon Total debt including both short-term and long-term components. It is needed to assess the company’s leverage and financial risk.

Net Working Capital (Short-Term Health)

Information icon Current assets minus current liabilities, indicating short-term liquidity strength. It is needed to assess whether the company can meet its short-term obligations.

🧱 Balance Sheet Strength

Stockholder Equity (Net Worth)

Information icon Total equity value held by shareholders. It is needed to understand the net worth of the company from the owners’ perspective.

Total Assets (Asset Base)

Information icon The full value of everything the company owns, including cash, inventory, equipment, and investments. It is needed to understand the resource base used to generate revenue.

Income Before Tax (Pre-Tax Earnings)

Information icon Income before provision for income taxes. It is needed to analyze profitability independent of tax structures.

⚙️ Cost & Drag Factors

Cost of Revenue (Production Cost)

Information icon Direct costs required to produce and deliver the products or services sold. It is needed to assess efficiency in production and service delivery.

Total Operating Expenses (Operating Cost)

Information icon Indirect costs of running the business such as salaries, marketing, and administration. It is needed to understand how much it costs to sustain ongoing business operations.

Income Tax Expense (Tax Drag)

Information icon Amount of taxes paid or payable to the government. It is needed to evaluate the impact of taxation on overall profitability.

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