VSAT vs. IRDM

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

VSAT (Viasat, Inc.) and IRDM (Iridium Communications Inc.) are both stocks. VSAT operates in Communication Equipment (Technology), while IRDM operates in Telecom Services (Communication Services). Over the past 10 years, VSAT returned -0.06%/yr vs 20.27%/yr for IRDM. At a 0.38 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

VSAT vs. IRDM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Viasat, Inc. (VSAT) and Iridium Communications Inc. (IRDM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VSAT achieves a 110.71% return, which is significantly lower than IRDM's 187.12% return. Over the past 10 years, VSAT has underperformed IRDM with an annualized return of -0.06%, while IRDM has yielded a comparatively higher 20.27% annualized return.

VSAT

• 1D: -0.34%
• 1M: 11.50%
• YTD: 110.71%
• 6M: 116.29%
• 1Y: 694.42%
• 3Y*: 15.44%
• 5Y*: 6.11%
• 10Y*: -0.06%

IRDM

• 1D: 3.74%
• 1M: 25.76%
• YTD: 187.12%
• 6M: 201.22%
• 1Y: 97.05%
• 3Y*: -5.59%
• 5Y*: 7.37%
• 10Y*: 20.27%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

VSAT vs. IRDM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VSAT Viasat, Inc.	110.71%	304.94%	-69.55%	-11.69%	-28.94%	36.42%	-55.39%	24.16%	-21.24%	13.03%
IRDM Iridium Communications Inc.	187.12%	-38.51%	-28.09%	-19.10%	24.49%	5.00%	59.60%	33.55%	56.36%	22.92%

Correlation

The correlation between VSAT and IRDM is 0.51, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.51
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.52
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.49
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.44
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 24, 2008	0.38

The correlation between VSAT and IRDM shifts across timeframes, from 0.38 (all time) to 0.52 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Fundamentals

EPS VSAT : $0.50 IRDM : $0.99
PE Ratio VSAT : 145.86 IRDM : 50.05
PS Ratio VSAT : 1.54 IRDM : 6.03
Total Revenue (TTM) VSAT : $4.64B IRDM : $875.84M
Gross Profit (TTM) VSAT : $2.51B IRDM : $547.64M
EBITDA (TTM) VSAT : $1.67B IRDM : $384.39M

Return for Risk

VSAT vs. IRDM — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

VSAT

VSAT Risk / Return Rank: 99
VSAT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 100
VSAT Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
VSAT Omega Ratio Rank: 97
VSAT Calmar Ratio Rank: 100
VSAT Martin Ratio Rank: 100

IRDM

IRDM Risk / Return Rank: 76
IRDM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
IRDM Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
IRDM Omega Ratio Rank: 81
IRDM Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
IRDM Martin Ratio Rank: 67

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

VSAT vs. IRDM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Viasat, Inc. (VSAT) and Iridium Communications Inc. (IRDM). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	VSAT	IRDM	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	8.51	1.58	+6.92
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	5.48	2.13	+3.35
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.69	1.32	+0.37
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	30.77	1.98	+28.78
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	96.79	3.26	+93.53
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VSAT vs. IRDM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VSAT Sharpe Ratio is 8.51, which is higher than the IRDM Sharpe Ratio of 1.58. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VSAT and IRDM, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VSAT	IRDM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.51	1.58	+6.92
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.08	0.16	-0.08
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.00	0.45	-0.45
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.17	0.24	-0.07

Drawdowns

VSAT vs. IRDM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VSAT drawdown since its inception was -92.75%, which is greater than IRDM's maximum drawdown of -75.34%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VSAT and IRDM.

Drawdown Indicators

	VSAT	IRDM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-92.75%	-75.34%	-17.41%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-23.78%	-50.74%	+26.96%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-85.53%	-74.46%	-11.07%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-89.81%	-75.34%	-14.47%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-92.75%	-75.34%	-17.41%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-22.96%	-21.68%	-1.28%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-41.53%	-26.00%	-15.53%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.56%	30.86%	-23.30%

Volatility

VSAT vs. IRDM - Volatility Comparison

Viasat, Inc. (VSAT) has a higher volatility of 23.14% compared to Iridium Communications Inc. (IRDM) at 15.49%. This indicates that VSAT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IRDM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VSAT	IRDM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	23.14%	15.49%	+7.65%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	54.93%	44.96%	+9.97%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	82.48%	61.59%	+20.89%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	75.22%	45.21%	+30.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	60.68%	45.20%	+15.48%

Dividends

VSAT vs. IRDM - Dividend Comparison

VSAT has not paid dividends to shareholders, while IRDM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.19%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
IRDM Iridium Communications Inc.	1.19%	3.34%	1.90%	1.26%
VSAT Viasat, Inc.	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Financials

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VSAT and IRDM in my portfolio?

VSAT and IRDM have a correlation of 0.51, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VSAT or IRDM?

VSAT has higher volatility (23.14%) compared to IRDM (15.49%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VSAT dropped -92.75% vs IRDM's -75.34%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VSAT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (8.51 vs 1.58), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.