Iridium Communications (IRDM) vs SK Telecom (SKM)
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 SK Telecom (SKM) over the past year, gaining 149.0% versus a gain of 65.4%. Over five years, IRDM leads with a +23.3% price change compared with -23.5% for SKM. SK Telecom is the larger company by market cap ($13.65 billion vs $5.13 billion), about 2.7 times the size.
On valuation, SK Telecom trades at a lower forward P/E (13.2x vs 28.2x for Iridium Communications). SK Telecom offers the higher dividend yield (4666.85% vs 1.24%).
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 | SKM |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $48.36 | $35.57 |
| Market cap | $5.13B | $13.65B |
| 1-day change | -1.39% | -2.41% |
| YTD return | +178.25% | +73.26% |
| 1-year return | +149.02% | +65.36% |
| 5-year return | +23.27% | -23.54% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 54.95 | 27.15 |
| Forward P/E | 28.20 | 13.22 |
| EPS (TTM) | $0.88 | $1.31 |
| Dividend yield | 1.24% | 4666.85% |
| Annual dividend | $0.60 | $1,660.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $871.66M | — |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +4.93% | — |
| Net income (latest FY) | $114.37M | — |
| Operating margin | 27.07% | — |
| Net margin | 13.12% | — |
| 52-week high | $57.18 | $47.18 |
| 52-week low | $15.65 | $19.66 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -15.42% | -24.61% |
| Analyst consensus | none | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | -13.15% | -1.60% |
| Average volume | 1.17M | 1.89M |
| Shares outstanding | 105.98M | 383.89M |
| Employees | 975 | 4,840 |
| 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
- SK Telecom is about 2.7 times larger than Iridium Communications by market value ($13.65B vs $5.13B).
- IRDM has outperformed SKM by 83.7 percentage points over the past year.
- Iridium Communications trades at a higher earnings multiple (55.0x vs 27.2x trailing P/E).
- SK Telecom offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (4666.85% vs 1.24%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Iridium Communications in Consumer Discretionary and SK Telecom 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 SK Telecom
SKM stock →SK Telecom Co., Ltd. engages in the provision of wireless telecommunication services in South Korea.
Telecommunications · Telecommunications Equipment · 4,840 employees
IRDM vs SKM FAQ
Which is bigger, Iridium Communications or SK Telecom?
SK Telecom (SKM) is larger, with a market capitalization of $13.65B compared with $5.13B for Iridium Communications (IRDM).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, IRDM or SKM?
IRDM returned +149.02% over the past 12 months, compared with +65.36% for SKM (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, IRDM or SKM?
SKM has the lower trailing P/E at 27.2, 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, Iridium Communications or SK Telecom?
SK Telecom has the higher yield at 4666.85%, compared with 1.24% for Iridium Communications.
Are Iridium Communications and SK Telecom in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Telecommunications Equipment industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.