Iridium Communications (IRDM) 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 contrast the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, community ranking, analyst recommendations, earnings, institutional ownership, profitability, media sentiment, risk and dividends.

Does the media refer more to CCOI or IRDM?

In the previous week, Cogent Communications had 12 more articles in the media than Iridium Communications. MarketBeat recorded 21 mentions for Cogent Communications and 9 mentions for Iridium Communications. Iridium Communications' average media sentiment score of 0.55 beat Cogent Communications' score of 0.36 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	10 Very Positive mention(s)	1 Positive mention(s)	3 Neutral mention(s)	0 Negative mention(s)	0 Very Negative mention(s)	Neutral
Iridium Communications	3 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 a better dividend stock?

Cogent Communications pays an annual dividend of $4.04 per share and has a dividend yield of 8.3%. 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 more risk and volatility, 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 prefer CCOI or IRDM?

Cogent Communications currently has a consensus price target of $75.75, suggesting a potential upside of 55.25%. Iridium Communications has a consensus price target of $34.25, suggesting a potential upside of 18.64%. Given Cogent Communications' higher possible upside, 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

Which has preferable 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	2.37	$1.27B	-$4.01	-12.17
Iridium Communications	$841.71M	3.71	$112.78M	$1.06	27.24

Does the MarketBeat Community favor 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%

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%

Do insiders and institutionals have more ownership in 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 large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Summary

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