I’ve had Iridium on my watchlist for quite some time and was actually planning to build a position at some point. But with the planned acquisition by Rocket Lab, the situation is now, of course, completely different.

So right now I’m wondering:

Does it still make sense to buy Iridium, or—if you believe in the long-term story—should you just go with Rocket Lab instead?

My original idea was actually to benefit from the growth surrounding Rocket Lab without jumping directly onto the current hype train.

That’s why I find $IRDM (-1,35 %) this is kind of exciting right now.

What do you think?

1️⃣ $IRDM (-1,35 %) Buy now and later cash out + $RKLB (+1,47 %)
$RKLB (+1,47 %) proceeds

2️⃣ Buy $RKLB (+1,47 %) and take the full upside

3️⃣ Both are too expensive / wait and see for now

I’d be especially interested in hearing from people who’ve been following Iridium for a while. 👀

At Rocket Lab ($RKLB (+1,47 %)
) the planned $8 billion deal with Iridium ($IRDM (-1,35 %)
) is creating new excitement. Of all companies, SpaceX ($SPCX (-0,24 %) ) has filed a request with the U.S. regulatory agency, the FCC, to review the acquisition process.

_________________________

🛰️ Why is the deal so important?

With this acquisition, Rocket Lab would massively expand its business:

🚀 Rockets

🛰️ Satellites

📡 Global communications infrastructure

This could position Rocket Lab even more firmly as a vertically integrated space company .

_________________________

⚔️ Is SpaceX a stumbling block?

SpaceX’s objection does does not automatically spell the end of the acquisition, but it could delay the process and trigger additional regulatory reviews.

For Rocket Lab, this comes at a critical time: At the same time, the company continues to work on Neutron and is securing major contracts from the defense sector.

_________________________

🧠 Conclusion

The Iridium deal would be a huge strategic move for Rocket Lab. Now, however, attention is focused on the regulatory review and the upcoming shareholder vote.

_________________________

My question for you:

How do you feel about all of this?

I, for one, remain invested and am still confident in Rocket Lab’s business 🚀

I’m considering the possibility that $SPCX (-0,24 %)
$RKLB (+1,47 %) perceives Rocket Lab as a serious competitor and is now trying to throw a wrench in the works.

_________________________

🔗 Source

Börse Global: Rocket Lab Ahead of the Iridium Vote: Will SpaceX’s Objection Be a Stumbling Block?

Rocket Lab $RKLB (+1,47 %) has announced that it is acquiring Iridium $IRDM (-1,35 %) . This is the final piece of the puzzle for Rocket Lab’s path to the big leagues. With Space Services, the picture is now complete.

https://youtu.be/63w39z-Emj8?is=zgLkyyHI3Q-hueDg

Finally back in beautiful Germany after 3 weeks in the US.

Adding a purchase from the beginning of the week.

And the FTMO competition that ended on August 1st will be drawn tomorrow.

I have to get over the jet lag and catch up on some work in the forest

Iridium $IRDM (-1,35 %) operates its own satellite network with 66 active low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites and offers reliable voice and data communication worldwide - independent of mobile networks. The company primarily serves aviation, shipping, military and IoT applications.

Key figures (as of Q2/2025)

• Revenue: approx. $790 million (TTM)
• EBITDA margin: approx. 60%
• Free cash flow: stable at $230-250m
• Debt ratio: moderate, net debt/EBITDA approx. 2.3
• P/E ratio (2025e): approx. 22
• Market capitalization: around $4.2 bn
• Customer base: >2m active devices
• New business area: IoT, autonomous systems, Certus terminals for mobile data

Opportunities

• Only provider with true global coverage, even in remote areas
• Long-term contracts, e.g. with the US Department of Defense ($700 million contract until 2030)
• New applications through Iridium Certus (broadband-capable satellite data for IoT, drones, ships)
• Increasing demand due to crisis resilience & geopolitical tensions

Risks

• Niche business - no mass market like Starlink
• Dependence on US government customers
• Starlink & Co. could penetrate sub-sectors as capacity grows

Conclusion

$IRDM (-1,35 %) is not a hype stock, but a solid infrastructure player in space with a strong cash flow. Ideal as an addition to a space or satellite portfolio. With realistic growth prospects and a unique selling point (coverage + reliability).

Interesting in the long term for investors looking for defensive space exposure with a technology focus.

These are the current Upgrades🟩 for this Monday, the September 18, 2023.

• $AGNC (+2,85 %)
  UBS downgrades from "Neutral" to "Buy", with a Target price of $11.50 (previously $10.50).🟩

• $AIN (-0,46 %)
  TD Cowen Downgrades from "Market Perform" to "Outperform", with a Target price from $106 (previously $100).🟩

• $AYX
  Morgan Stanley downgrades from "Equalweight" to "Overweight", with no change in price target.🟩

• $BCRX (+0,22 %)
  RBC Capital downgrades from "Sector Perform" to "Outperform", with a Target Price from $10 (previously $9).🟩

• $CVNA (+4,32 %)
  Wedbush downgrades from "Underperform" to "Neutral", with a Target Price of $48 (previously $40).🟩

• $DASH (+4,33 %)
  Mizuho Securities downgrades from "Neutral" to "Buy", with a Target price of $105 (previously $90).🟩

• $ESAB (+1,3 %)
  BofA Securities downgrades from "Neutral" to "Buy", with a Target price of $89 (previously $61).🟩

• $IRDM (-1,35 %)
  Deutsche Bank downgrades from "Hold" to "Buy", with no change in price target.🟩

• $JKHY (+0,36 %)
  Northcoast Research downgrades from "Neutral" to "Buy", with a price target of $185.🟩

• $KIM (+0,25 %)
  Mizuho Securities downgrades from "Neutral" to "Buy", with a price target of $20.🟩

• $LHX (+0,75 %)
  Wells Fargo downgrades from "Equal Weight" to "Overweight", with a price target of $209 (previously $204).🟩

• $LMT (+1,31 %)
  Wells Fargo Downgrades from "Underweight" to "Equal Weight", with a Target Price from $440 (previously $433).🟩

• $MU (+1,87 %)
  Deutsche Bank downgrades from "Hold" to "Buy", with a Target price of $85 (previously $65).🟩

• -$NLY (+1,17 %)
  UBS downgrades from "Neutral" to "Buy", with a Target price of $24 (previously $21).🟩

• $ONCT
  H.C. Wainwright downgrades from "Neutral" to "Buy", with a Target price of $2.🟩

• $PB (+0,42 %)
  Hovde Group Downgrades from "Market Perform" to "Outperform".🟩

• $RL (+3,82 %)
  Guggenheim downgrades from "Neutral" to "Buy", with a Target price of $166.🟩

• $SKX
  Piper Sandler Downgrades from "Neutral" to "Overweight", with a Target Price of $59 (previously $54).🟩

• $SMPL
  Morgan Stanley downgrades from "Equalweight" to "Overweight", with a price target of $40 (previously $37).🟩

• $ZIM (-1,78 %)
  JPMorgan downgrades from "Neutral" to "Overweight", with a price target of $15.40.🟩