Cogent Communications (CCOI) Competitors

Cogent Communications (NASDAQ:CCOI) and Iridium Communications (NASDAQ:IRDM) are both mid-cap computer and technology companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, dividends, profitability, earnings, risk, analyst recommendations, community ranking, media sentiment and institutional ownership.

Does the media refer more to CCOI or IRDM?

In the previous week, Cogent Communications had 7 more articles in the media than Iridium Communications. MarketBeat recorded 19 mentions for Cogent Communications and 12 mentions for Iridium Communications. Iridium Communications' average media sentiment score of 0.94 beat Cogent Communications' score of 0.29 indicating that Iridium Communications is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company	Very Positive	Positive	Neutral	Negative	Very Negative	Overall Sentiment
Cogent Communications	9 Very Positive mention(s)	0 Positive mention(s)	3 Neutral mention(s)	0 Negative mention(s)	0 Very Negative mention(s)	Neutral
Iridium Communications	4 Very Positive mention(s)	1 Positive mention(s)	3 Neutral mention(s)	0 Negative mention(s)	0 Very Negative mention(s)	Positive

Is CCOI or IRDM more profitable?

Iridium Communications has a net margin of 13.58% compared to Cogent Communications' net margin of 3.73%. Iridium Communications' return on equity of 15.66% beat Cogent Communications' return on equity.

Company	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Cogent Communications	3.73%	-36.31%	-5.20%
Iridium Communications	13.58%	15.66%	4.15%

Does the MarketBeat Community believe in CCOI or IRDM?

Cogent Communications received 10 more outperform votes than Iridium Communications when rated by MarketBeat users. Likewise, 61.40% of users gave Cogent Communications an outperform vote while only 58.66% of users gave Iridium Communications an outperform vote.

Company	Underperform	Outperform
Cogent Communications	Outperform Votes 501 61.40%	Underperform Votes 315 38.60%
Iridium Communications	Outperform Votes 491 58.66%	Underperform Votes 346 41.34%

Which has more volatility & risk, CCOI or IRDM?

Cogent Communications has a beta of 0.72, indicating that its share price is 28% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Iridium Communications has a beta of 0.75, indicating that its share price is 25% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Do analysts rate CCOI or IRDM?

Cogent Communications presently has a consensus target price of $75.75, suggesting a potential upside of 57.66%. Iridium Communications has a consensus target price of $34.25, suggesting a potential upside of 18.39%. Given Cogent Communications' higher possible upside, equities research analysts plainly believe Cogent Communications is more favorable than Iridium Communications.

Company	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Cogent Communications	1 Sell rating(s)	2 Hold rating(s)	5 Buy rating(s)	0 Strong Buy rating(s)	2.50
Iridium Communications	0 Sell rating(s)	1 Hold rating(s)	4 Buy rating(s)	0 Strong Buy rating(s)	2.80

Do insiders & institutionals hold more shares of CCOI or IRDM?

92.4% of Cogent Communications shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 84.4% of Iridium Communications shares are held by institutional investors. 10.2% of Cogent Communications shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 2.4% of Iridium Communications shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Is CCOI or IRDM a better dividend stock?

Cogent Communications pays an annual dividend of $4.04 per share and has a dividend yield of 8.4%. Iridium Communications pays an annual dividend of $0.56 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.9%. Cogent Communications pays out -100.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Iridium Communications pays out 52.8% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Cogent Communications has increased its dividend for 14 consecutive years and Iridium Communications has increased its dividend for 1 consecutive years. Cogent Communications is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Which has higher earnings & valuation, CCOI or IRDM?

Cogent Communications has higher revenue and earnings than Iridium Communications. Cogent Communications is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Iridium Communications, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Company	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Cogent Communications	$1.02B	2.33	$1.27B	-$4.01	-11.98
Iridium Communications	$841.71M	3.72	$112.78M	$1.06	27.29

Summary

Cogent Communications beats Iridium Communications on 13 of the 21 factors compared between the two stocks.