ESCO Technologies (ESE) 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 ESCO Technologies (ESE) over the past year, gaining 149.0% versus a gain of 22.8%. Over five years, ESE leads with a +204.0% price change compared with +23.3% for IRDM. ESCO Technologies is the larger company by market cap ($6.66 billion vs $5.13 billion), about 1.3 times the size.
On valuation, ESCO Technologies trades at a lower forward P/E (27.8x vs 28.2x for Iridium Communications). Iridium Communications offers the higher dividend yield (1.24% vs 0.12%). ESCO Technologies converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 27.3% versus 13.1%.
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 | ESE | IRDM |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $256.90 | $48.36 |
| Market cap | $6.66B | $5.13B |
| 1-day change | -4.22% | -1.39% |
| YTD return | +31.48% | +178.25% |
| 1-year return | +22.81% | +149.02% |
| 5-year return | +203.99% | +23.27% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 49.79 | 54.95 |
| Forward P/E | 27.85 | 28.20 |
| EPS (TTM) | $5.16 | $0.88 |
| Dividend yield | 0.12% | 1.24% |
| Annual dividend | $0.32 | $0.60 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $1.10B | $871.66M |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +19.18% | +4.93% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $299.22M | $114.37M |
| Gross margin | 42.09% | — |
| Operating margin | 15.55% | 27.07% |
| Net margin | 27.32% | 13.12% |
| 52-week high | $362.15 | $57.18 |
| 52-week low | $193.68 | $15.65 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -29.06% | -15.42% |
| Analyst consensus | none | none |
| Avg. price target upside | +52.10% | -13.15% |
| Average volume | 215.88K | 1.18M |
| Shares outstanding | 25.91M | 105.98M |
| Employees | 3,359 | 975 |
| Sector | Telecommunications | Consumer Discretionary |
| Industry | Telecommunications Equipment | Telecommunications Equipment |
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 ESE by 126.2 percentage points over the past year.
- Iridium Communications offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (1.24% vs 0.12%).
- ESCO Technologies is more profitable, keeping 27.3 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 13.1 cents for Iridium Communications.
- ESCO Technologies grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+19.18% vs +4.93%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: ESCO Technologies in Telecommunications and Iridium Communications in Consumer Discretionary.
About ESCO Technologies
ESE stock →ESCO Technologies Inc. provides engineered components and systems for aviation, navy, defense, and industrial customers.
Telecommunications · Telecommunications Equipment · 3,359 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.
Consumer Discretionary · Telecommunications Equipment · 975 employees
ESE vs IRDM FAQ
Which is bigger, ESCO Technologies or Iridium Communications?
ESCO Technologies (ESE) is larger, with a market capitalization of $6.66B compared with $5.13B for Iridium Communications (IRDM).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ESE or IRDM?
IRDM returned +149.02% over the past 12 months, compared with +22.81% for ESE (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, ESE or IRDM?
ESE has the lower trailing P/E at 49.8, 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, ESCO Technologies or Iridium Communications?
Iridium Communications has the higher yield at 1.24%, compared with 0.12% for ESCO Technologies.
Are ESCO Technologies and Iridium Communications in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Telecommunications Equipment industry within the Telecommunications sector.