Iridium Communications (IRDM) Competitors

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

Does the media favor IRDM or VCRA?

In the previous week, Iridium Communications had 10 more articles in the media than Vocera Communications. MarketBeat recorded 10 mentions for Iridium Communications and 0 mentions for Vocera Communications. Vocera Communications' average media sentiment score of 0.59 beat Iridium Communications' score of 0.32 indicating that Vocera Communications is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company	Overall Sentiment
Iridium Communications	Neutral
Vocera Communications	Positive

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

84.4% of Iridium Communications shares are held by institutional investors. 2.0% of Iridium Communications shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 1.9% of Vocera Communications shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Which has more volatility and risk, IRDM or VCRA?

Iridium Communications has a beta of 0.65, suggesting that its stock price is 35% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Vocera Communications has a beta of 0.22, suggesting that its stock price is 78% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Which has preferable valuation and earnings, IRDM or VCRA?

Iridium Communications has higher revenue and earnings than Vocera Communications. Vocera Communications is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Iridium 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	4.08	$15.41M	$0.94	30.12
Vocera Communications	$234.18M	11.84	-$8.49M	-$0.26	-304.35

Does the MarketBeat Community prefer IRDM or VCRA?

Iridium Communications received 37 more outperform votes than Vocera Communications when rated by MarketBeat users. Likewise, 58.67% of users gave Iridium Communications an outperform vote while only 57.60% of users gave Vocera Communications an outperform vote.

Company	Underperform	Outperform
Iridium Communications	Outperform Votes 484 58.67%	Underperform Votes 341 41.33%
Vocera Communications	Outperform Votes 447 57.60%	Underperform Votes 329 42.40%

Do analysts recommend IRDM or VCRA?

Iridium Communications currently has a consensus price target of $41.00, indicating a potential upside of 44.83%. Given Iridium Communications' stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Iridium Communications is more favorable than Vocera 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
Vocera Communications	0 Sell rating(s)	0 Hold rating(s)	0 Buy rating(s)	0 Strong Buy rating(s)	0.00

Is IRDM or VCRA more profitable?

Iridium Communications has a net margin of 14.09% compared to Vocera Communications' net margin of -3.63%. Iridium Communications' return on equity of 14.34% beat Vocera Communications' return on equity.

Company	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Iridium Communications	14.09%	14.34%	4.21%
Vocera Communications	-3.63%	3.64%	1.07%

Summary

Iridium Communications beats Vocera Communications on 17 of the 19 factors compared between the two stocks.