ASTS vs. IRDM: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at ASTS and IRDM, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Overview
ASTS’s market capitalization of 15.96 billion USD is substantially larger than IRDM’s 3.44 billion USD, indicating a significant difference in their market valuations.
ASTS’s beta of 2.02 points to significantly higher volatility compared to IRDM (beta: 0.75), suggesting ASTS has greater potential for both gains and losses relative to market movements.
| Symbol | ASTS | IRDM |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | AST SpaceMobile, Inc. | Iridium Communications Inc. |
| Country | US | US |
| Sector | Technology | Communication Services |
| Industry | Communication Equipment | Telecommunications Services |
| CEO | Abel Avellan | Matthew J. Desch |
| Price | 45.6 USD | 31.8 USD |
| Market Cap | 15.96 billion USD | 3.44 billion USD |
| Beta | 2.02 | 0.75 |
| Exchange | NASDAQ | NASDAQ |
| IPO Date | November 1, 2019 | March 20, 2008 |
| ADR | No | No |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of ASTS and IRDM by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period.
Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.
Profitability
Return on Equity
ASTS
-76.72%
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 30.07%
- Q3
- 8.07%
- Median
- 1.84%
- Q1
- -11.93%
- Min
- -31.65%
ASTS has a negative Return on Equity of -76.72%. This indicates the company is generating a loss for its shareholders, which can be a result of unprofitability or negative shareholder equity and is often a sign of financial distress.
IRDM
19.41%
Telecommunications Services Industry
- Max
- 36.08%
- Q3
- 16.39%
- Median
- 6.66%
- Q1
- -5.80%
- Min
- -26.90%
In the upper quartile for the Telecommunications Services industry, IRDM’s Return on Equity of 19.41% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Return on Invested Capital
ASTS
-19.41%
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 11.59%
- Q3
- 6.61%
- Median
- 2.97%
- Q1
- -2.58%
- Min
- -13.18%
ASTS has a negative Return on Invested Capital of -19.41%. This indicates that its operations are failing to generate a profit on the total capital invested, signaling significant inefficiency or value destruction.
IRDM
7.68%
Telecommunications Services Industry
- Max
- 13.02%
- Q3
- 6.76%
- Median
- 4.03%
- Q1
- 0.50%
- Min
- -4.79%
In the upper quartile for the Telecommunications Services industry, IRDM’s Return on Invested Capital of 7.68% signifies a highly effective use of its capital to generate profits when compared to its peers.
Net Profit Margin
ASTS
-7,033.20%
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 23.65%
- Q3
- 9.21%
- Median
- 2.46%
- Q1
- -8.56%
- Min
- -29.87%
ASTS has a negative Net Profit Margin of -7,033.20%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.
IRDM
14.68%
Telecommunications Services Industry
- Max
- 20.59%
- Q3
- 10.07%
- Median
- 3.00%
- Q1
- -4.53%
- Min
- -18.76%
A Net Profit Margin of 14.68% places IRDM in the upper quartile for the Telecommunications Services industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
Operating Profit Margin
ASTS
-5,397.45%
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 30.72%
- Q3
- 11.64%
- Median
- 5.79%
- Q1
- -2.28%
- Min
- -18.20%
ASTS has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -5,397.45%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.
IRDM
25.07%
Telecommunications Services Industry
- Max
- 37.46%
- Q3
- 22.75%
- Median
- 10.32%
- Q1
- 0.62%
- Min
- -16.66%
An Operating Profit Margin of 25.07% places IRDM in the upper quartile for the Telecommunications Services industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | ASTS | IRDM |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | -76.72% | 19.41% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | -23.81% | 4.73% |
| Return on Invested Capital (TTM) | -19.41% | 7.68% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | -7033.20% | 14.68% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | -5397.45% | 25.07% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | -486.80% | 67.95% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio
ASTS
10.62
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 3.40
- Q3
- 2.59
- Median
- 1.62
- Q1
- 1.32
- Min
- 0.86
ASTS’s Current Ratio of 10.62 is exceptionally high, placing it well outside the typical range for the Communication Equipment industry. This indicates a very strong liquidity position, though such a high ratio may also suggest that the company is not using its assets efficiently to generate profits.
IRDM
1.99
Telecommunications Services Industry
- Max
- 2.27
- Q3
- 1.38
- Median
- 0.96
- Q1
- 0.66
- Min
- 0.36
IRDM’s Current Ratio of 1.99 is in the upper quartile for the Telecommunications Services industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio
ASTS
0.02
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 1.82
- Q3
- 1.00
- Median
- 0.53
- Q1
- 0.20
- Min
- 0.02
Falling into the lower quartile for the Communication Equipment industry, ASTS’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.02 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
IRDM
3.49
Telecommunications Services Industry
- Max
- 4.64
- Q3
- 2.32
- Median
- 1.35
- Q1
- 0.63
- Min
- 0.00
IRDM’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Telecommunications Services industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 3.49. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
Interest Coverage Ratio
ASTS
-52.83
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 16.12
- Q3
- 9.22
- Median
- 2.52
- Q1
- -0.75
- Min
- -12.07
ASTS has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -52.83. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.
IRDM
2.29
Telecommunications Services Industry
- Max
- 8.83
- Q3
- 4.35
- Median
- 2.26
- Q1
- 0.11
- Min
- -1.74
IRDM’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 2.29 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Telecommunications Services industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | ASTS | IRDM |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (TTM) | 10.62 | 1.99 |
| Quick Ratio (TTM) | 10.62 | 1.36 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (TTM) | 0.02 | 3.49 |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio (TTM) | 0.01 | 0.69 |
| Net Debt-to-EBITDA Ratio (TTM) | 1.82 | 4.17 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | -52.83 | 2.29 |
Growth
The following charts compare key year-over-year (YoY) growth metrics for ASTS and IRDM. These metrics are based on the companies’ annual financial reports.
Revenue Growth
Earnings Per Share (EPS) Growth
Free Cash Flow Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield
ASTS
0.00%
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 4.72%
- Q3
- 0.38%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ASTS currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.
IRDM
1.76%
Telecommunications Services Industry
- Max
- 128.28%
- Q3
- 6.07%
- Median
- 1.86%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
IRDM’s Dividend Yield of 1.76% is consistent with its peers in the Telecommunications Services industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio
ASTS
0.00%
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 91.96%
- Q3
- 26.44%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ASTS has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.
IRDM
52.09%
Telecommunications Services Industry
- Max
- 146.49%
- Q3
- 63.59%
- Median
- 29.65%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
IRDM’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 52.09% is within the typical range for the Telecommunications Services industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | ASTS | IRDM |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 1.76% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 52.09% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio
ASTS
-31.32
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 44.37
- Q3
- 41.98
- Median
- 30.61
- Q1
- 23.44
- Min
- 2.14
ASTS has a negative P/E Ratio of -31.32. This occurs when a company has negative earnings (a net loss), making the ratio unsuitable for valuation analysis.
IRDM
28.25
Telecommunications Services Industry
- Max
- 27.65
- Q3
- 20.70
- Median
- 15.25
- Q1
- 10.05
- Min
- 5.86
At 28.25, IRDM’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Telecommunications Services industry. This suggests the stock may be significantly overvalued compared to its peers and implies high market expectations that could be difficult to meet.
Forward P/E to Growth Ratio
ASTS
15.35
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 15.97
- Q3
- 6.99
- Median
- 2.78
- Q1
- 0.66
- Min
- 0.05
The Forward PEG Ratio is often not a primary valuation metric in the Communication Equipment industry.
IRDM
0.84
Telecommunications Services Industry
- Max
- 3.27
- Q3
- 2.93
- Median
- 1.35
- Q1
- 0.64
- Min
- 0.01
IRDM’s Forward PEG Ratio of 0.84 is within the middle range of its peers in the Telecommunications Services industry. This suggests a reasonable balance between the stock’s price and its expected growth, aligning with sector valuation norms.
Price-to-Sales Ratio
ASTS
5,043.28
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 6.38
- Q3
- 3.88
- Median
- 2.17
- Q1
- 1.15
- Min
- 0.37
With a P/S Ratio of 5,043.28, ASTS trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Communication Equipment industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
IRDM
4.09
Telecommunications Services Industry
- Max
- 3.23
- Q3
- 1.83
- Median
- 1.32
- Q1
- 0.83
- Min
- 0.11
With a P/S Ratio of 4.09, IRDM trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Telecommunications Services industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
Price-to-Book Ratio
ASTS
13.32
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 14.42
- Q3
- 7.01
- Median
- 3.09
- Q1
- 1.38
- Min
- 0.41
ASTS’s P/B Ratio of 13.32 is in the upper tier for the Communication Equipment industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.
IRDM
6.73
Telecommunications Services Industry
- Max
- 4.39
- Q3
- 2.65
- Median
- 1.82
- Q1
- 1.09
- Min
- 0.29
At 6.73, IRDM’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Telecommunications Services industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | ASTS | IRDM |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E, TTM) | -31.32 | 28.25 |
| Forward PEG Ratio (TTM) | 15.35 | 0.84 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (P/S, TTM) | 5043.28 | 4.09 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (P/B, TTM) | 13.32 | 6.73 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (P/FCF, TTM) | -64.66 | 12.04 |
| EV-to-EBITDA (TTM) | -47.80 | 12.33 |
| EV-to-Sales (TTM) | 4858.60 | 6.17 |