Iridium Communications (IRDM) vs Liberty Global (LBTYB)
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 Liberty Global (LBTYB) over the past year, gaining 149.0% versus a gain of 9.0%. Over five years, IRDM leads with a +23.3% price change compared with -58.1% for LBTYB. Iridium Communications is the larger company by market cap ($5.13 billion vs $4.29 billion), about 1.2 times the size, while Liberty Global is growing revenue faster (+12.4% vs +4.9%).
Iridium Communications pays a dividend yielding 1.24%, while Liberty Global does not currently pay one. Iridium Communications converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 13.1% versus -146.3%.
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 | IRDM | LBTYB |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $48.36 | $12.59 |
| Market cap | $5.13B | $4.29B |
| 1-day change | -1.39% | +0.24% |
| YTD return | +178.25% | +6.51% |
| 1-year return | +149.02% | +9.00% |
| 5-year return | +23.27% | -58.06% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 54.95 | — |
| Forward P/E | 28.20 | — |
| EPS (TTM) | $0.88 | $-8.95 |
| Dividend yield | 1.24% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $0.60 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $871.66M | $4.88B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +4.93% | +12.36% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $114.37M | $-7.14B |
| Gross margin | — | 65.76% |
| Operating margin | 27.07% | -0.48% |
| Net margin | 13.12% | -146.32% |
| 52-week high | $57.18 | $29.01 |
| 52-week low | $15.65 | $10.20 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -15.42% | -56.60% |
| Analyst consensus | none | — |
| Avg. price target upside | -13.15% | — |
| Average volume | 1.17M | 12.01K |
| Shares outstanding | 105.98M | 12.97M |
| Employees | 975 | 6,636 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Telecommunications |
| Industry | Telecommunications Equipment | Cable & Other Pay Television 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 LBTYB by 140.0 percentage points over the past year.
- Iridium Communications offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (1.24% vs 0.00%).
- Iridium Communications is more profitable, keeping 13.1 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus -146.3 cents for Liberty Global.
- Liberty Global grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+12.36% vs +4.93%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Iridium Communications in Consumer Discretionary and Liberty Global in Telecommunications.
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
About Liberty Global
LBTYB stock →Liberty Global Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, provides broadband internet, video, fixed-line telephony, and mobile communications services to residential and business customers in Europe. It offers intelligent WiFi and broadband internet services, such as ONE Connect, which enables fast and flexible introductions of new hardware and services, as well as cloud-to-cloud open API integration; Smart Security that provides network security, safe browsing and fraud prevention measures; Smart Home, which provides enhanced entertainment and home automation and security services; and Connect Box, an intelligent WiFi and telephony gateway.
Telecommunications · Cable & Other Pay Television Services · 6,636 employees
IRDM vs LBTYB FAQ
Which is bigger, Iridium Communications or Liberty Global?
Iridium Communications (IRDM) is larger, with a market capitalization of $5.13B compared with $4.29B for Liberty Global (LBTYB).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, IRDM or LBTYB?
IRDM returned +149.02% over the past 12 months, compared with +9.00% for LBTYB (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which pays a higher dividend, Iridium Communications or Liberty Global?
Iridium Communications pays a dividend yielding 1.24%, while Liberty Global does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Iridium Communications and Liberty Global in the same industry?
No. Iridium Communications is in the Consumer Discretionary sector, while Liberty Global is in Telecommunications.