IRDM
Iridium Comm (IRDM)
NASDAQ
$48.53+$0.32 (+0.66%)
Price as of Sep 22, 2026 12:21 PM EDT
  • $5.1B
    Market Cap
  • 171.43%
    1-Year Change
  • Telecom Services
    Industry

Key Performance

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  • Earnings Score: 48
  • Momentum Score: 67
  • True Yield: 17
  • Financial Health Score: 16
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Latest Research & News

Rocket Lab Sold $1.9 Billion of New Stock to Pay for Iridium. Here's the Dilution Math.

Rocket Lab completed a $1.94 billion stock sale (29.3 million shares at ~$66 each) to fund its acquisition of Iridium Communications, canceling a $3.6 billion bridge loan. While this results in approximately 5% shareholder dilution, the author argues it was the prudent choice for an unprofitable company to avoid heavy debt obligations. The deal could ultimately add up to 72 million shares (12% dilution) when including stock consideration for Iridium shareholders, with closing expected in mid-2027.

09/22/2026, 3:14 AM • The Motley Fool

SpaceX or Rocket Lab: Which Space Stock Is the Better Buy for the Next Decade?

SpaceX and Rocket Lab are competing for dominance in the space economy. SpaceX, valued at $2 trillion with a P/S ratio of 91, operates Starlink satellite internet and is developing orbital AI data centers. Rocket Lab, valued at $38 billion with a P/S ratio of 48, is acquiring Iridium Communications and developing the Neutron rocket. Despite SpaceX's larger scale, Rocket Lab may offer better value for investors seeking space economy exposure.

09/17/2026, 9:05 PM • The Motley Fool

Rocket Lab Raises Funds To Prepare For Closing Of Iridium Acquisition

Rocket Lab completed a $1.94 billion equity offering and amended its credit facility to secure financing for its acquisition of Iridium Communications. The deal, expected to close in mid-2027, will combine Rocket Lab's launch and satellite capabilities with Iridium's global satellite network. Rocket Lab canceled a $3.6 billion bridge loan following these funding milestones. The acquisition represents a transformational step toward becoming a fully integrated space operator.

09/15/2026, 2:12 PM • The Motley Fool

Rocket Lab Fully Funds Iridium Acquisition, Including Completion of $1.94 Billion ATM

Rocket Lab has successfully completed its $1.944 billion At-The-Market equity offering and secured financing to fully fund its pending acquisition of Iridium Communications. The company also obtained a change of control amendment for Iridium's $1.775 billion credit facility and terminated a $3.6 billion bridge facility, with the acquisition expected to close in mid-2027 pending regulatory approvals.

09/15/2026, 6:00 AM • GlobeNewswire

$HAREHOLDER ALERT: The M&A Class Action Firm Continues to Investigate the Merger—IRDM, VRME, VAL and LAB

Monteverde & Associates PC is investigating four merger transactions to determine if shareholders are receiving fair value. The investigations cover Iridium Communications' sale to Rocket Lab, VerifyMe's merger with Open World Ltd, Valaris' sale to Transocean Ltd, and Standard Biotools' merger with Treeline Biosciences. The firm is offering free consultations to shareholders with concerns about these deals.

09/09/2026, 4:00 PM • GlobeNewswire

Rocket Lab's Neutron Just Slipped Again. Here's the Only Date That Still Matters for Shareholders.

Rocket Lab's Neutron rocket launch has been delayed again, now targeting Q4 2026 for pad delivery with actual launch likely in 2027. However, the more significant catalyst for investors is the company's planned acquisition of Iridium Communications, expected to close mid-2027. The Iridium deal would instantly make Rocket Lab profitable and free cash flow-positive by adding $884 million in annual revenue with 72% gross margins, offsetting current losses.

09/07/2026, 5:05 AM • The Motley Fool

Peter Beck's Neutron Rocket Could Slip to 2027. Here's How Much the Delay Actually Matters.

Rocket Lab's Neutron rocket, first announced in 2020, may not launch until 2027, causing investor concern. However, the delay's financial impact is minimal—only $50 million in lost revenue in the first year. The company still expects to achieve profitability in 2027 through its planned Iridium merger and commercial launch operations.

09/04/2026, 12:30 PM • The Motley Fool

1 Monster Space Stock I'm Watching This Upcoming Earnings Season

Rocket Lab, a developer of reusable orbital rockets and satellite components, has surged from $11.58 at its 2021 SPAC debut to around $64. The company generates 70%+ revenue from space systems and is acquiring Iridium for $8 billion. Analysts project 43% revenue CAGR through 2028, with positive EBITDA expected by 2027. Despite a 27x forward sales valuation, the stock offers a smaller alternative to SpaceX in the growing space sector.

09/03/2026, 3:05 PM • The Motley Fool

Rocket Lab Trades at 59 Times Revenue With Neutron Still Unflown

Rocket Lab trades at a premium 59x revenue valuation based on $45 billion market cap against $769 million trailing revenue. While the company reports record quarterly revenue, backlog, and major contracts, it remains unprofitable with significant losses. The valuation heavily depends on the Neutron rocket, which has never flown and may slip from its Q4 2026 target into 2027. The analyst suggests waiting to see Neutron successfully launch before considering the stock reasonably valued.

08/22/2026, 9:27 AM • The Motley Fool

Rocket Lab Wins One of Its Biggest Contracts Ever

Rocket Lab secured a $397 million contract from the U.S. Space Force to develop, launch, and operate stackable 'Flatellites' for a missile-tracking satellite program. This represents one of the company's largest wins and is worth more than six months of its annual revenue. The contract demonstrates Rocket Lab's evolution into a vertically integrated defense contractor capable of handling all aspects of satellite missions independently.

08/18/2026, 5:30 PM • The Motley Fool

$10,000 Invested in Rocket Lab 3 Years Ago Is Worth This Much Today, Even After a 61% Drawdown.

A $10,000 investment in Rocket Lab three years ago would be worth approximately $81,000 today, despite a 61% drawdown from its peak of $151. The company has demonstrated strong operational growth with revenue increasing from $245M (2023) to $602M (2025), a record backlog of $2.2B, and a major $266M Space Force contract. However, the pending $8B acquisition of Iridium Communications raises concerns about financing costs and dilution, with the company still unprofitable and trading at over 50x trailing revenue.

08/01/2026, 6:17 AM • The Motley Fool

Prediction: Rocket Lab Will Turn Profitable and Free-Cash-Flow-Positive in 2027 -- Thanks to Iridium

Rocket Lab announced an $8 billion acquisition of satellite company Iridium, with an expected mid-2027 closing. The combined company is projected to become profitable and free-cash-flow-positive by 2027, with analysts forecasting $137 million in earnings and $425 million in positive free cash flow. The acquisition positions Rocket Lab as a vertically integrated space company offering satellite communications, positioning/navigation/timing, and IoT services—markets where SpaceX has limited presence.

08/01/2026, 6:06 AM • The Motley Fool

AST SpaceMobile vs. Rocket Lab: Which Space-Based Network Stock Is a Better Buy in 2026?

The article compares two space-focused companies: AST SpaceMobile, which is building a space-based cellular network for standard smartphones, and Rocket Lab, a vertically integrated launch services provider acquiring Iridium Communications. Both are unprofitable and burning cash, but Rocket Lab is recommended as the better buy in 2026 due to its lower valuation (52.9x P/S vs. 188x), stronger balance sheet, and the strategic Iridium acquisition that could position it as a serious SpaceX competitor.

07/31/2026, 4:28 PM • The Motley Fool

Rocket Lab Has Fallen 58% From Its High While Wall Street's Average Target Sits 79% Above the Price. One Side Is Badly Wrong.

Rocket Lab stock has plummeted 58% from its $151 peak to $63.91, while Wall Street analysts maintain an average price target of $114.33—79% above current levels. The massive valuation gap stems from the company's planned $8 billion acquisition of Iridium Communications, which requires a $3.6 billion bridge loan plus additional debt and equity financing. While Rocket Lab's core business shows strong execution with record Q1 revenue growth of 63% and a $2.2 billion backlog, investor concerns center on the financing burden for a company generating $680 million in annual revenue that isn't yet profitable. The recent Piper Sandler initiation at $83—27% below consensus—suggests analyst targets may be overly optimistic about the deal's success.

07/28/2026, 3:32 AM • The Motley Fool

Huge News for Rocket Lab Investors

Rocket Lab announced an $8 billion acquisition of satellite telecom company Iridium Communications at $54 per share. The deal aims to create a vertically integrated space company that designs, builds, launches, and operates satellite constellations. While Iridium is profitable and cash flow positive, the author expresses caution about Rocket Lab's high valuation and need to prove reliable profitability, though bullish investors may see long-term potential.

07/24/2026, 9:30 AM • The Motley Fool

Peers

Statistics

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Day Range
$46.80
$48.25
$48.21
1-Year Range
$15.84
$55.72
$48.21
Latest Close$48.21
Change
+$1.44 (+2.99%)
Volume1,422,751
Market Cap$5.1B
Shares Outstanding106.0M
P/E (TTM)55.26
Diluted EPS (TTM)$0.87
Enterprise Value$6.7B

Information as of 09/21/2026

Company Profile

IRIDIUM COMMUNICATIONS INC
IRIDIUM COMMUNICATIONS INC
https://www.iridium.com
$5.1B
Market Cap
$93.3M
Net Income
Sector: Communication Services
Industry: Telecom Services
1676 International Drive, McLean, VA, United States, 22102
703-287-7400

Iridium Communications Inc. provides mobile voice and data communications services and products to businesses, the United States and foreign governments, non-governmental organizations, and consumers in the United States, Canada, and internationally. 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, and charging units. The company sells its products and services to commercial end users through a wholesale distribution network that includes service providers, and value-added resellers and value-added 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.

Key Executives

  • Matthew J. Desch
  • Suzanne E. McBride
  • Kathleen A. Morgan
  • Timothy Last
  • Scott T. Scheimreif

Current Ownership Distribution

  • Mutual Funds2.9B (58.95%)
  • Institutions2.0B (40.60%)
  • Insiders21.9M (0.45%)
  • Other0 (0.00%)