DLB
Dolby Laboratories, Inc.
Information Technology Services
Market Cap$5.54B
5Y Perf.-4.5%
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Stock Comparison
DLB vs IRDM
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
IRDM
Iridium Communications Inc.
Telecommunications Services
Market Cap$4.29B
5Y Perf.+76.5%
DLB vs IRDM — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | DLB | IRDM |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Information Technology Services | Telecommunications Services |
| Market Cap | $5.54B | $4.29B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $1.34B | $876M |
| Net Income (TTM) | $241M | $106M |
| Gross Margin | 87.9% | 62.5% |
| Operating Margin | 18.8% | 25.8% |
| Forward P/E | 13.4x | 36.5x |
| Total Debt | $39M | $1.76B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $702M | $97M |
DLB vs IRDM — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
DLB
IRDM
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dolby Laboratories,… (DLB) | 100 | 95.5 | -4.5% |
| Iridium Communicati… (IRDM) | 100 | 176.5 | +76.5% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: DLB vs IRDM
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: DLB leads in 6 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and valuation and capital efficiency. Iridium Communications Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for recent price momentum and sentiment. This set spans 2 sectors — these stocks serve different portfolio roles, not just different price points.
DLB
Dolby Laboratories, Inc.
The Income Pick
DLB carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 4 yrs, beta 0.82, yield 2.2%
- Rev growth 5.9%, EPS growth -2.6%, 3Y rev CAGR 2.5%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.82, Low D/E 1.5%, current ratio 3.17x
Best for: income & stability and growth exposure
IRDM
Iridium Communications Inc.
The Long-Run Compounder
IRDM is the clearest fit if your priority is long-term compounding.
- 415.1% 10Y total return vs DLB's 48.0%
- +56.9% vs DLB's -20.1%
Best for: long-term compounding
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | DLB | 5.9% revenue growth vs IRDM's 4.9% |
| Value | DLB | Lower P/E (13.4x vs 36.5x) |
| Quality / Margins | DLB | 18.0% margin vs IRDM's 12.1% |
| Stability / Safety | DLB | Beta 0.82 vs IRDM's 1.05, lower leverage |
| Dividends | DLB | 2.2% yield, 4-year raise streak, vs IRDM's 1.4% |
| Momentum (1Y) | IRDM | +56.9% vs DLB's -20.1% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | DLB | 7.5% ROA vs IRDM's 4.1%, ROIC 10.1% vs 8.0% |
DLB vs IRDM — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2025
DLB vs IRDM — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLDLBLAGGINGIRDM
IRDMIridium Communication…
1leads
DLBDolby Laboratories, I…
3leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs IRDMMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
Tied
—
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
DLB5/6
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
DLB7/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
IRDM4/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
Tied
—
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
DLB2/2
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
Evenly matched — DLB and IRDM each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
DLB is the larger business by revenue, generating $1.3B annually — 1.5x IRDM's $876M. DLB is the more profitable business, keeping 18.0% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to IRDM's 12.1%. On growth, IRDM holds the edge at +1.9% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | DLBDolby Laboratorie… | IRDMIridium Communica… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $1.3B | $876M |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $352M | $439M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $241M | $106M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $380M | $305M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +87.9% | +62.5% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +18.8% | +25.8% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +18.0% | +12.1% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +28.4% | +34.8% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -2.9% | +1.9% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -21.4% | -25.9% |
Evenly matched — DLB and IRDM each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
DLB leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 22.1x trailing earnings, DLB trades at a 42% valuation discount to IRDM's 38.3x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, IRDM's 13.3x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than DLB's 13.4x.
| Metric | DLBDolby Laboratorie… | IRDMIridium Communica… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $5.5B | $4.3B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $4.9B | $6.0B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 22.13x | 38.29x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 13.39x | 36.49x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | 7.16x | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 13.42x | 13.35x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 4.11x | 4.92x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 2.15x | 9.46x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 12.88x | 14.31x |
DLB leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
DLB leads this category, winning 7 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
IRDM delivers a 22.8% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $23 in annual profit, vs $9 for DLB. DLB carries lower financial leverage with a 0.01x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to IRDM's 3.81x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), IRDM scores 8/9 vs DLB's 6/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | DLBDolby Laboratorie… | IRDMIridium Communica… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +9.2% | +22.8% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +7.5% | +4.1% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +10.1% | +8.0% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +9.6% | +9.6% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 6 | 8 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.01x | 3.81x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$663M | $1.7B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $702M | $97M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $39M | $1.8B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 65.71x | 2.67x |
DLB leads this category, winning 7 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
IRDM leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in IRDM five years ago would be worth $11,091 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $6,579 for DLB. Over the past 12 months, IRDM leads with a +56.9% total return vs DLB's -20.1%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors DLB at -9.7% vs IRDM's -12.6% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | DLBDolby Laboratorie… | IRDMIridium Communica… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -8.2% | +129.4% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -20.1% | +56.9% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -26.4% | -33.3% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -34.2% | +10.9% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +48.0% | +415.1% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -9.7% | -12.6% |
IRDM leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — DLB and IRDM each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
DLB is the less volatile stock with a 0.82 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than IRDM's 1.05 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. IRDM currently trades 91.5% from its 52-week high vs DLB's 74.1% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | DLBDolby Laboratorie… | IRDMIridium Communica… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.82x | 1.05x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $78.28 | $44.36 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $55.73 | $15.65 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +74.1% | +91.5% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 39.4 | 60.0 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 616K | 2.3M |
Evenly matched — DLB and IRDM each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
DLB leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates DLB as "Buy" and IRDM as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 46.6% upside for DLB (target: $85) vs -12.5% for IRDM (target: $36). For income investors, DLB offers the higher dividend yield at 2.24% vs IRDM's 1.44%.
| Metric | DLBDolby Laboratorie… | IRDMIridium Communica… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $85.00 | $35.50 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 17 | 13 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +2.2% | +1.4% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 4 | 3 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $1.30 | $0.58 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +2.9% | +4.3% |
DLB leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
DLB leads in 3 of 6 categories (Valuation Metrics, Profitability & Efficiency). IRDM leads in 1 (Total Returns). 2 tied.
Best OverallDolby Laboratories, Inc. (DLB)Leads 3 of 6 categories
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DLB vs IRDM: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is DLB or IRDM a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Dolby Laboratories, Inc.
(DLB) is the stronger pick with 5. 9% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 4. 9% for Iridium Communications Inc. (IRDM). Dolby Laboratories, Inc. (DLB) offers the better valuation at 22. 1x trailing P/E (13. 4x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Dolby Laboratories, Inc. (DLB) a "Buy" — based on 17 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which has the better valuation — DLB or IRDM?
On trailing P/E, Dolby Laboratories, Inc.
(DLB) is the cheapest at 22. 1x versus Iridium Communications Inc. at 38. 3x. On forward P/E, Dolby Laboratories, Inc. is actually cheaper at 13. 4x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — DLB or IRDM?
Over the past 5 years, Iridium Communications Inc.
(IRDM) delivered a total return of +10. 9%, compared to -34. 2% for Dolby Laboratories, Inc. (DLB). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: IRDM returned +415. 1% versus DLB's +48. 0%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — DLB or IRDM?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Dolby Laboratories, Inc.
(DLB) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 82β versus Iridium Communications Inc. 's 1. 05β — meaning IRDM is approximately 28% more volatile than DLB relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Dolby Laboratories, Inc. (DLB) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 1% versus 4% for Iridium Communications Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — DLB or IRDM?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Dolby Laboratories, Inc.
(DLB) is pulling ahead at 5. 9% versus 4. 9% for Iridium Communications Inc. (IRDM). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Iridium Communications Inc. grew EPS 12. 8% year-over-year, compared to -2. 6% for Dolby Laboratories, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, IRDM leads at 6. 5% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
06Which has better profit margins — DLB or IRDM?
Dolby Laboratories, Inc.
(DLB) is the more profitable company, earning 18. 9% net margin versus 13. 1% for Iridium Communications Inc. — meaning it keeps 18. 9% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: IRDM leads at 27. 1% versus 19. 6% for DLB. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — DLB leads at 88. 1%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
07Is DLB or IRDM more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Dolby Laboratories, Inc.
(DLB) trades at 13. 4x forward P/E versus 36. 5x for Iridium Communications Inc. — 23. 1x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for DLB: 46. 6% to $85. 00.
08Which pays a better dividend — DLB or IRDM?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Dolby Laboratories, Inc. (DLB) offers the highest yield at 2. 2%, versus 1. 4% for Iridium Communications Inc. (IRDM).
09Is DLB or IRDM better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Iridium Communications Inc.
(IRDM) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 1. 05), 1. 4% yield, +415. 1% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (IRDM: +415. 1%, DLB: +48. 0%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
10What are the main differences between DLB and IRDM?
These companies operate in different sectors (DLB (Technology) and IRDM (Communication Services)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.
These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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Revenue Growth>
%
(DLB: -2.9% · IRDM: 1.9%)Net Margin>
%
(DLB: 18.0% · IRDM: 12.1%)P/E Ratio<
x
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