Companies /Communication Services

Iridium Communications Inc

NASDAQ: IRDM Telecom Services

Q2 2026 Earnings

Reported Jul 22, 2026, 7:01am ET · SEC source
$0.09
Miss −68.97%
EPS · est. $0.29
$225.2M
Beat +2.17%
Revenue · est. $220.4M
+2.1%
Beating market
IRDM vs S&P since report
3 quarters
Consecutive EPS misses

Market Reaction

% change · around the report
−4%−2%0Jul 22Jul 23report 7:01am ETearnings−1.1%−2.9%
−4%−2%0Jul 22Jul 23earnings−1.1%−2.9%
IRDM −2.9%S&P 500 −1.1%
−4%−2%0Jul 22Jul 23report 7:01am ETearnings−1.7%−2.9%
−4%−2%0Jul 22Jul 23earnings−1.7%−2.9%
IRDM −2.9%NASDAQ −1.7%
−8%−4%0+4%Jul 21Jul 30report 7:01am ETearnings−1.5%−5.3%
−8%−4%0+4%Jul 21Jul 30earnings−1.5%−5.3%
IRDM −5.3%S&P 500 −1.5%
−8%−4%0+4%Jul 21Jul 30report 7:01am ETearnings−4.2%−5.3%
−8%−4%0+4%Jul 21Jul 30earnings−4.2%−5.3%
IRDM −5.3%NASDAQ −4.2%
−0.80%
Day of report
+1.66%
Next session
−5.34%
One week
+4.52%
30 days

S&P 500 over the same 30 days: +2.45%.

Did IRDM Beat Earnings? Q2 2026 Results

Iridium Communications delivered a tale of two metrics in Q2 2026, beating on revenue while falling well short on earnings. The satellite communications company posted revenue of $225.24 million, up 3.8% year-over-year and ahead of the $220.45 million consensus estimate, but GAAP earnings of $0.09 per diluted share missed the $0.29 analyst expectation by 68.97%, with the shortfall traced directly to $14.32 million in transaction-related expenses tied to Rocket Lab Corporation's pending $8 billion all-stock acquisition of the company. That deal, announced June 28, has effectively reshaped Iridium's near-term narrative; the company will no longer hold earnings calls or issue financial guidance while the transaction, expected to close in mid-2027, awaits stockholder and regulatory approvals. Subscriber growth remained a bright spot, with total billable subscribers rising 6% year-over-year to 2.63 million, and the post-quarter close of the Aireon acquisition, projected to contribute at least $100 million in annualized service revenue, signals meaningful scale ahead despite the earnings-level turbulence this quarter.

Key Takeaways
  • 9% year-over-year growth in commercial IoT billable subscribers driving IoT data revenue growth
  • Price actions implemented in the prior year driving higher commercial voice and data ARPU
  • Contractual rate increases in EMSS Contract driving government service revenue growth
  • 14% increase in hosted payload and other data service revenue from new data services contracts

“Iridium's global network and expanding service portfolio continues to be the gold standard for mission critical applications. We believe vertically integrating with Rocket Lab's industry leading launch and satellite capabilities will allow the combined company to realize even greater ambitions to solve important connectivity challenges around the world.”

Iridium Communications CEO, on the earnings call

Forward Guidance & Outlook

Iridium will not provide updated financial guidance or hold conference calls in light of the pending acquisition by Rocket Lab. The company expects the EMSS Contract with the U.S. Space Force to be renewed by March 2027. The Aireon acquisition is expected to contribute at least $100 million in annualized service revenue and $30 million in OEBITDA. Iridium NTN Direct, a new standards-based direct-to-device service, is expected to launch later in 2026.

IRDM YoY Financials

Q2 2026 vs Q2 2025 · SEC filings Q2 2025 Q2 2026
$0$70.0M$140.0M$210.0M$216.9M$225.2MRevenue$50.3M$34.0MOperating Income$22.0M$9.7MNet Income
$0$70.0M$140.0M$210.0MRevenueOperating IncomeNet Income

IRDM Revenue by Segment

Commercial Voice and Data Service$58.4M+3.0%
Commercial Voice and Data
Commercial IoT Data Service$47.1M+5.0%
Commercial IoT Data
Engineering and Support
Engineering and Support - Government$41.5M+5.0%
Engineering and Support - Commercial$1.7M−30.0%
U.S. Government Service$27.6M+3.0%

Figures from SEC filings and company reports. Not investment advice.