IRDM
Iridium Comm (IRDM)
NASDAQ
$49.31+$0.99 (+2.06%)
Price as of Aug 04, 2026 9:34 AM EDT
  • $5.1B
    Market Cap
  • 101.05%
    1-Year Change
  • Telecom Services
    Industry

Key Performance

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  • Earnings Score: 49
  • Momentum Score: 40
  • True Yield: 14
  • Financial Health Score: 16
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Latest Research & News

$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 AMThe 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 AMThe 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 PMThe 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 AMThe 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 AMThe Motley Fool

Should You Buy Rocket Lab Stock Below $70?

Rocket Lab stock has fallen 55% from its May highs and currently trades at $67.50. While the company is making aggressive moves to compete with SpaceX, including a proposed $8 billion acquisition of Iridium and development of its Neutron rocket, the stock remains overvalued at a P/S ratio of 55. The analyst recommends waiting for further price declines before investing.

07/20/2026, 3:05 PMThe Motley Fool

AST SpaceMobile vs. Rocket Lab: Which Stock Is The Superior SpaceX Competitor?

SpaceX has fallen back to its IPO price of $135. The article compares two alternatives: AST SpaceMobile, which focuses on satellite-based broadband through telecom partnerships but doesn't launch its own satellites, and Rocket Lab, which will become fully integrated after acquiring Iridium Communications. All three companies are unprofitable startups, making them suitable only for aggressive growth investors.

07/16/2026, 9:15 PMThe Motley Fool

SpaceX vs. Rocket Lab: Which Is the Better Space Stock to Buy Right Now?

The article compares SpaceX and Rocket Lab as space investment opportunities. While SpaceX pursues ambitious goals including Mars colonization, AI platforms, and Starlink expansion, it faces mounting losses ($3.29 per share in Q1) and massive capital expenditures ($10 billion in Q1 alone). Rocket Lab, though unprofitable, shows stronger momentum with 64% revenue growth, 31 new launch contracts signed in Q1, and improving losses. The article concludes Rocket Lab is the better buy due to its lower valuation (P/S ratio of 66 vs. SpaceX's 94) and stronger operational trajectory.

07/16/2026, 6:15 AMThe Motley Fool

Rocket Lab Stock Gained 118% Over the Past Year. Is It Time to Buy?

Rocket Lab has surged 118% over the past year and is positioning itself as a major player in the space industry. The company achieved record launch contracts (31 in Q1 2026) and announced an $8 billion acquisition of Iridium Communications to expand into satellite communications. While the company shows strong growth metrics and government contracts, investors should be aware of its lack of profitability, high valuation (P/S ratio of 82), and stock volatility.

07/09/2026, 2:05 PMThe Motley Fool

SpaceX Going Public Is Not a Reason to Abandon Rocket Lab

While SpaceX's IPO has drawn investor attention to space stocks, Rocket Lab offers distinct investment merits through its growing backlog, defense contracts, and planned Iridium acquisition. However, investors should monitor execution risks including Neutron rocket delays, unprofitability, and high customer concentration.

07/09/2026, 9:15 AMThe Motley Fool

Better Space Stock to Buy Before 2026 Runs Out: SpaceX vs. Rocket Lab

SpaceX and Rocket Lab are compared as investment opportunities in the growing space economy. SpaceX dominates with 255 launches in 2025 versus Rocket Lab's 35, operates larger launch vehicles, and has diversified revenue streams including Starlink and AI investments. Rocket Lab offers pure-play space exposure with smaller specialized rockets and is acquiring Iridium Communications. Both stocks trade at high valuations (SpaceX at 110x and Rocket Lab at 82x price-to-sales), making them suitable only for well-diversified portfolios.

07/08/2026, 3:30 PMThe Motley Fool

Rocket Lab Announces a Big Acquisition That Could Be Problematic for SpaceX

Rocket Lab announced an $8 billion acquisition of Iridium Communications to create a vertically integrated space company combining launch capabilities with satellite communications. This move intensifies competition for SpaceX's Starlink, which generates 70% of SpaceX's revenue. With Amazon also launching its Leo satellite internet service, SpaceX faces mounting competitive pressure that could slow Starlink's growth and strain its already unprofitable business model.

07/07/2026, 1:24 PMThe Motley Fool

Halper Sadeh LLC is Investigating Whether ACA, TECH, IRDM, LCII are Obtaining Fair Deals for their Shareholders

Halper Sadeh LLC, an investor rights law firm, is investigating four companies for potential violations of federal securities laws and breaches of fiduciary duties related to their proposed acquisitions. The firm is examining whether shareholders are receiving fair consideration and whether insider benefits may be limiting superior competing offers.

07/06/2026, 1:59 PMGlobeNewswire

Could Buying Rocket Lab Stock Today Set You Up for Life?

Rocket Lab announced an $8 billion acquisition of Iridium Communications to expand into satellite mobile communications and compete with SpaceX's Starlink. Despite trading 32% below its all-time high, the stock is up 187% over the past year. The company exceeded Q1 earnings expectations with 63.5% year-over-year sales growth. While the acquisition carries integration risks, analysts suggest the combined business could deliver significant returns for long-term investors, though the stock remains high-risk.

07/05/2026, 7:05 PMThe Motley Fool

Why AST SpaceMobile Stock Skyrocketed This Week

AST SpaceMobile stock surged 31.2% this week following Rocket Lab's announcement of an $8 billion acquisition of Iridium Communications. The substantial valuation premium Rocket Lab is paying for Iridium's spectrum resources and satellite infrastructure has boosted investor confidence in AST, whose similar assets are viewed as superior to Iridium's.

07/05/2026, 9:34 AMThe Motley Fool

Peers

Statistics

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Day Range
$46.67
$48.72
$48.32
1-Year Range
$15.84
$55.72
$48.32
Latest Close$48.32
Change
+$0.98 (+2.03%)
Volume1,295,874
Market Cap$5.1B
Shares Outstanding106.0M
P/E (TTM)55.38
Diluted EPS (TTM)$0.87
Enterprise Value$6.7B

Information as of 08/03/2026

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 Funds2.7B (58.98%)
  • Institutions1.9B (40.53%)
  • Insiders22.4M (0.48%)
  • Other0 (0.00%)