IRDM vs GSAT Stock Comparison: AI Score, Valuation, Performance and Upside
Iridium is typically evaluated as the more mature, diversified satellite operator with a completed constellation and improving free cash flow, while Globalstar is assessed largely through the lens of its concentrated commercial relationship with Apple and its spectrum optionality. Both operate niche satellite communications networks but differ sharply in revenue diversification and financial stability. The choice depends on whether an investor prefers diversified, cash-generative satellite exposure or a concentrated bet on a single high-profile partnership.
Iridium suits investors wanting more diversified, cash-generative satellite communications exposure, while Globalstar is a more concentrated bet on the scale and durability of its Apple partnership and spectrum value.
IRDM holds the edge across 3 of 5 key metrics in this comparison. IRDM leads on both 1-year return (+133.96%) and forward P/E quality (27.32x vs 331.02x for GSAT), a relatively favorable combination of momentum and valuation. IRDM leads on both revenue growth (3.80%) and operating margin (15.10%), suggesting a stronger fundamental setup on both dimensions. Analyst consensus implies meaningfully more upside for GSAT (+10.39%) than for IRDM (-10.35%).
Human Wall Street analysts' price targets, typically implying a ~12-month view — a separate signal from this site's own AI Prediction Signal further down the page, which is a 5-/30-day machine-learning forecast based on price history alone.
- Want diversified satellite communications exposure across multiple end markets
- Value improving free cash flow post-constellation buildout
- Prefer lower reliance on a single commercial partner
- Are comfortable with government contract cyclicality
- Believe in the growth trajectory of satellite-to-smartphone messaging
- Want leveraged exposure to the Apple satellite partnership
- See value in Globalstar's spectrum holdings
- Can tolerate higher balance sheet and concentration risk
| Metric | IRDM | GSAT |
|---|---|---|
| AI scorei | 42.0 | 46.8 |
| AI ranki | #896 | #613 |
| Latest closei | $44.99 | $82.97 |
| 1M returni | -4.46% | +1.39% |
| 3M returni | -3.48% | +4.33% |
| 6M returni | +3.64% | +3.67% |
| 1Y returni | +133.96% | +86.16% |
How much would $10,000 be worth today if invested at the start of each period, with all dividends reinvested?
| Period | IRDM | GSAT |
|---|---|---|
| 1Y ago | $24.03K (+140.3%) started 2025-10-16 | $18.62K (+86.2%) started 2025-10-15 |
| 5Y ago | $11.36K (+13.6%) started 2021-10-18 | $36.15K (+261.5%) started 2021-10-15 |
| 10Y ago | $53.12K (+431.2%) started 2016-10-17 | $50.28K (+402.8%) started 2016-10-17 |
Hypothetical — past performance does not guarantee future results.
| Metric | IRDM | GSAT |
|---|---|---|
| Market capi | $4.97B | $10.56B |
| Trailing P/Ei | 54.48 | N/A |
| Forward P/Ei | 27.32 | 331.02 |
| Price/Salesi | N/A | N/A |
| EV/Revenuei | 7.41 | 37.60 |
| Analyst targeti | $42.00 | $90.00 |
| Target upsidei | -10.35% | +10.39% |
| Metric | IRDM | GSAT |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue growthi | 3.80% | -3.50% |
| Earnings growthi | -55.00% | N/A |
| EPS growthi | -55.00% | N/A |
| FCF margini | +27.05% | -103.49% |
| Operating margini | 15.10% | -7.37% |
| Profit margini | 10.55% | -18.49% |
| ROIC proxyi | 19.71% | -15.88% |
| Return on equityi | 19.71% | -15.88% |
| Dividend yieldi | 1.28% | N/A |
| Payout ratioi | 68.18% | 0.00% |
| Dividend growth streaki | N/A | N/A |
| Betai | 0.88 | 1.51 |
| Debt/equityi | 378.66 | 143.24 |
| Current ratioi | 2.78 | 1.54 |
| Quick ratioi | 2.13 | 1.44 |
Over the past year, IRDM and GSAT have moved moderately in the same direction (correlation of 0.41), based on daily returns.
Lower drawdown and smaller single-period drops generally indicate a smoother ride, though they do not guarantee lower future risk.
| Period | Metric | IRDM | GSAT |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Y | Growthi | +140.33% | +86.16% |
| CAGRi | +140.70% | +86.24% | |
| Volatilityi | 61.39% | 57.61% | |
| Sharpe ratioi | 1.65 | 1.29 | |
| Sortino ratioi | 3.20 | 2.14 | |
| Max drawdowni | 20.39% | 26.53% | |
| Current drawdowni | 19.26% | 1.73% | |
| Avg drawdowni | 8.77% | 7.01% | |
| Ulcer Indexi | 10.76% | 9.93% | |
| Max daily dropi | 9.11% | 10.66% | |
| Max wkly dropi | 13.89% | 20.41% | |
| 5Y | Growthi | +13.58% | +261.53% |
| CAGRi | +2.58% | +29.31% | |
| Volatilityi | 46.24% | 67.30% | |
| Sharpe ratioi | 0.19 | 0.65 | |
| Sortino ratioi | 0.28 | 1.02 | |
| Max drawdowni | 76.45% | 61.84% | |
| Current drawdowni | 33.11% | 1.73% | |
| Avg drawdowni | 36.47% | 28.10% | |
| Ulcer Indexi | 44.09% | 33.06% | |
| Max daily dropi | 22.09% | 18.93% | |
| Max wkly dropi | 29.18% | 23.56% | |
| 10Y | Growthi | +431.17% | +402.85% |
| CAGRi | +18.18% | +17.54% | |
| Volatilityi | 46.17% | 89.10% | |
| Sharpe ratioi | 0.50 | 0.54 | |
| Sortino ratioi | 0.73 | 0.96 | |
| Max drawdowni | 76.45% | 89.34% | |
| Current drawdowni | 33.11% | 1.73% | |
| Avg drawdowni | 26.27% | 49.46% | |
| Ulcer Indexi | 34.00% | 55.99% | |
| Max daily dropi | 22.09% | 27.95% | |
| Max wkly dropi | 29.18% | 31.92% |
| Category | IRDM | GSAT |
|---|---|---|
| Company | Iridium Communications Inc. | Globalstar, Inc. |
| Sector | Communication Services | Communication Services |
| Industry | Telecom Services | Telecom Services |
| Core business | Iridium operates a low-earth-orbit satellite constellation providing global voice and data communications for government, maritime, aviation, and IoT customers. | Globalstar provides satellite communications and IoT connectivity services, and supplies spectrum and network capacity used in Apple's satellite messaging features. |
| Investor focus | Investors watch subscriber growth in IoT and commercial services, government contract renewals, and free cash flow generation now that the constellation is fully deployed. | Investors focus on the scope and renewal terms of Globalstar's commercial partnership with Apple, spectrum monetization opportunities, and capital spending on network upgrades. |
- Fully deployed, modern satellite constellation with global pole-to-pole coverage
- Diversified subscriber base across government, maritime, aviation, and IoT
- Improving free cash flow now that major capital expenditure cycles are largely complete
- High-profile commercial partnership with Apple for satellite messaging services
- Valuable spectrum assets with potential for further monetization
- Growing IoT and commercial satellite connectivity business
- Government revenue concentration creates budget and contract renewal risk
- Competitive pressure from newer low-earth-orbit constellations
- Slower growth profile compared to newer satellite entrants
- Heavy revenue dependence on a small number of large partners, particularly Apple
- History of balance sheet stress and capital-intensive network buildouts
- Execution risk on expanding beyond its current partner-driven revenue base
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