Cogent Communications (CCOI) Competitors

Iridium Communications (NASDAQ:IRDM) and Cogent Communications (NASDAQ:CCOI) are both mid-cap computer and technology companies, but which is the better investment? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their risk, dividends, profitability, media sentiment, valuation, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, community ranking and earnings.

Does the media favor IRDM or CCOI?

In the previous week, Cogent Communications had 14 more articles in the media than Iridium Communications. MarketBeat recorded 18 mentions for Cogent Communications and 4 mentions for Iridium Communications. Cogent Communications' average media sentiment score of 0.91 beat Iridium Communications' score of 0.54 indicating that Cogent Communications is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company	Very Positive	Positive	Neutral	Negative	Very Negative	Overall Sentiment
Iridium Communications	3 Very Positive mention(s)	0 Positive mention(s)	0 Neutral mention(s)	1 Negative mention(s)	0 Very Negative mention(s)	Positive
Cogent Communications	8 Very Positive mention(s)	2 Positive mention(s)	5 Neutral mention(s)	0 Negative mention(s)	0 Very Negative mention(s)	Positive

Do institutionals and insiders hold more shares of IRDM or CCOI?

84.4% of Iridium Communications shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 92.5% of Cogent Communications shares are held by institutional investors. 2.0% of Iridium Communications shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 11.0% of Cogent Communications shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Is IRDM or CCOI more profitable?

Iridium Communications has a net margin of 14.09% compared to Cogent Communications' net margin of 3.73%. Iridium Communications' return on equity of 14.34% beat Cogent Communications' return on equity.

Company	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Iridium Communications	14.09%	14.34%	4.21%
Cogent Communications	3.73%	-36.31%	-5.20%

Does the MarketBeat Community believe in IRDM or CCOI?

Cogent Communications received 16 more outperform votes than Iridium Communications when rated by MarketBeat users. Likewise, 61.50% of users gave Cogent Communications an outperform vote while only 58.67% of users gave Iridium Communications an outperform vote.

Company	Underperform	Outperform
Iridium Communications	Outperform Votes 484 58.67%	Underperform Votes 341 41.33%
Cogent Communications	Outperform Votes 500 61.50%	Underperform Votes 313 38.50%

Is IRDM or CCOI a better dividend stock?

Iridium Communications pays an annual dividend of $0.56 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.0%. Cogent Communications pays an annual dividend of $3.94 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.8%. Iridium Communications pays out 59.6% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Cogent Communications pays out 505.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Cogent Communications has raised its dividend for 13 consecutive years. Cogent Communications is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Which has higher earnings & valuation, IRDM or CCOI?

Cogent Communications has higher revenue and earnings than Iridium Communications. Iridium Communications is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Cogent Communications, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Company	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Iridium Communications	$790.72M	4.02	$15.41M	$0.94	29.69
Cogent Communications	$940.92M	4.24	$1.27B	$0.78	104.36

Do analysts prefer IRDM or CCOI?

Iridium Communications presently has a consensus target price of $41.00, indicating a potential upside of 46.90%. Cogent Communications has a consensus target price of $80.25, indicating a potential downside of 1.41%. Given Iridium Communications' stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, equities research analysts clearly believe Iridium Communications is more favorable than Cogent Communications.

Company	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Iridium Communications	0 Sell rating(s)	2 Hold rating(s)	1 Buy rating(s)	1 Strong Buy rating(s)	2.75
Cogent Communications	1 Sell rating(s)	2 Hold rating(s)	4 Buy rating(s)	1 Strong Buy rating(s)	2.63

Which has more risk and volatility, IRDM or CCOI?

Iridium Communications has a beta of 0.65, suggesting that its share price is 35% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Cogent Communications has a beta of 0.4, suggesting that its share price is 60% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Summary

Cogent Communications beats Iridium Communications on 13 of the 21 factors compared between the two stocks.