Iridium Communications (IRDM) vs Lumen Technologies (LUMN)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
Iridium Communications (IRDM) has outperformed Lumen Technologies (LUMN) over the past year, gaining 140.8% versus a loss of 21.0%. Over five years, IRDM leads with a +21.2% price change compared with -54.0% for LUMN. Lumen Technologies is the larger company by market cap ($5.59 billion vs $5.01 billion), about 1.1 times the size, while Iridium Communications is growing revenue faster (+4.9% vs -5.4%).
Iridium Communications pays a dividend yielding 1.27%, while Lumen Technologies does not currently pay one. Iridium Communications converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 13.1% versus -14.0%.
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 | LUMN |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $47.29 | $5.42 |
| Market cap | $5.01B | $5.59B |
| 1-day change | -0.57% | -2.40% |
| YTD return | +173.65% | -28.44% |
| 1-year return | +140.81% | -21.02% |
| 5-year return | +21.23% | -54.01% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 53.74 | — |
| Forward P/E | 27.57 | — |
| EPS (TTM) | $0.88 | $-1.02 |
| Dividend yield | 1.27% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $0.60 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $871.66M | $12.40B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +4.93% | -5.39% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $114.37M | $-1.74B |
| Gross margin | — | 46.48% |
| Operating margin | 27.07% | -6.55% |
| Net margin | 13.12% | -14.02% |
| 52-week high | $57.18 | $11.95 |
| 52-week low | $15.65 | $5.38 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -17.30% | -54.69% |
| Analyst consensus | none | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | -11.19% | +41.09% |
| Average volume | 1.16M | 12.70M |
| Shares outstanding | 105.98M | 1.03B |
| Employees | 975 | 24,000 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Telecommunications |
| 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 LUMN by 161.8 percentage points over the past year.
- Iridium Communications offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (1.27% vs 0.00%).
- Iridium Communications is more profitable, keeping 13.1 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus -14.0 cents for Lumen Technologies.
- Iridium Communications grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+4.93% vs -5.39%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Iridium Communications in Consumer Discretionary and Lumen Technologies 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 Lumen Technologies
LUMN stock →Lumen Technologies, Inc., a networking company, provides integrated products and services to business and mass customers in the United States and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Business and Mass Markets.
Telecommunications · Telecommunications Equipment · 24,000 employees
IRDM vs LUMN FAQ
Which is bigger, Iridium Communications or Lumen Technologies?
Lumen Technologies (LUMN) is larger, with a market capitalization of $5.59B compared with $5.01B for Iridium Communications (IRDM).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, IRDM or LUMN?
IRDM returned +140.81% over the past 12 months, compared with -21.02% for LUMN (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which pays a higher dividend, Iridium Communications or Lumen Technologies?
Iridium Communications pays a dividend yielding 1.27%, while Lumen Technologies does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Iridium Communications and Lumen Technologies in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Telecommunications Equipment industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.