Belden (BDC) vs Iridium Communications (IRDM)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Iridium Communications (IRDM) has outperformed Belden (BDC) over the past year, gaining 149.0% versus a loss of 5.2%. Over five years, BDC leads with a +80.6% price change compared with +23.3% for IRDM. Iridium Communications is the larger company by market cap ($5.13 billion vs $4.28 billion), about 1.2 times the size, while Belden is growing revenue faster (+10.3% vs +4.9%).
On valuation, Belden trades at a lower forward P/E (10.9x vs 28.2x for Iridium Communications). Iridium Communications offers the higher dividend yield (1.24% vs 0.18%). Iridium Communications converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 13.1% versus 8.7%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | BDC | IRDM |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $109.41 | $48.36 |
| Market cap | $4.28B | $5.13B |
| 1-day change | -3.36% | -1.39% |
| YTD return | -6.13% | +178.25% |
| 1-year return | -5.20% | +149.02% |
| 5-year return | +80.57% | +23.27% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 17.79 | 54.95 |
| Forward P/E | 10.90 | 28.20 |
| EPS (TTM) | $6.15 | $0.88 |
| Dividend yield | 0.18% | 1.24% |
| Annual dividend | $0.20 | $0.60 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $2.72B | $871.66M |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +10.33% | +4.93% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $237.52M | $114.37M |
| Gross margin | 37.98% | — |
| Operating margin | 11.63% | 27.07% |
| Net margin | 8.75% | 13.12% |
| 52-week high | $159.99 | $57.18 |
| 52-week low | $98.00 | $15.65 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -31.61% | -15.42% |
| Analyst consensus | strong_buy | none |
| Avg. price target upside | +40.02% | -13.15% |
| Average volume | 453.39K | 1.18M |
| Shares outstanding | 39.08M | 105.98M |
| Employees | 8,000 | 975 |
| Sector | Industrials | Communication Services |
| Industry | Telecommunications Equipment | Telecom Services |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- IRDM has outperformed BDC by 154.2 percentage points over the past year.
- Iridium Communications trades at a higher earnings multiple (55.0x vs 17.8x trailing P/E).
- Iridium Communications offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (1.24% vs 0.18%).
- Belden grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+10.33% vs +4.93%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Belden in Industrials and Iridium Communications in Communication Services.
About Belden
BDC stock →Belden Inc. provides connection solutions to bring data infrastructure into alignment to unlock new possibilities for its customers.
Industrials · Telecommunications Equipment · 8,000 employees
About Iridium Communications
IRDM stock →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.
Communication Services · Telecom Services · 975 employees
BDC vs IRDM FAQ
Which is bigger, Belden or Iridium Communications?
Iridium Communications (IRDM) is larger, with a market capitalization of $5.13B compared with $4.28B for Belden (BDC).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, BDC or IRDM?
IRDM returned +149.02% over the past 12 months, compared with -5.20% for BDC (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, BDC or IRDM?
BDC has the lower trailing P/E at 17.8, versus 55.0 for IRDM. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Belden or Iridium Communications?
Iridium Communications has the higher yield at 1.24%, compared with 0.18% for Belden.
Are Belden and Iridium Communications in the same industry?
No. Belden is in the Industrials sector, while Iridium Communications is in Communication Services.