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5 / 10Stock Comparison
GSAT vs AAPL vs QCOM vs MSFT vs GOOGL
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Consumer Electronics
Semiconductors
Software - Infrastructure
Internet Content & Information
GSAT vs AAPL vs QCOM vs MSFT vs GOOGL — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industry | Telecommunications Services | Consumer Electronics | Semiconductors | Software - Infrastructure | Internet Content & Information |
| Market Cap | $10.33B | $4.22T | $213.51B | $3.13T | $4.81T |
| Revenue (TTM) | $262M | $451.44B | $44.49B | $318.27B | $422.57B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-50M | $122.58B | $9.92B | $125.22B | $160.21B |
| Gross Margin | 57.2% | 47.9% | 54.8% | 68.3% | 60.4% |
| Operating Margin | 1.4% | 32.6% | 25.5% | 46.8% | 32.7% |
| Forward P/E | — | 33.8x | 18.8x | 25.3x | 29.6x |
| Total Debt | $542M | $112.38B | $16.37B | $112.18B | $59.29B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $391M | $35.93B | $7.84B | $30.24B | $30.71B |
GSAT vs AAPL vs QCOM vs MSFT vs GOOGL — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Globalstar, Inc. (GSAT) | 100 | 1826.9 | +1726.9% |
| Apple Inc. (AAPL) | 100 | 361.6 | +261.6% |
| QUALCOMM Incorporat… (QCOM) | 100 | 250.5 | +150.5% |
| Microsoft Corporati… (MSFT) | 100 | 229.7 | +129.7% |
| Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL) | 100 | 555.2 | +455.2% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: GSAT vs AAPL vs QCOM vs MSFT vs GOOGL
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
GSAT ranks third and is worth considering specifically for momentum.
- +305.2% vs MSFT's -2.1%
AAPL is the clearest fit if your priority is long-term compounding.
- 11.7% 10Y total return vs GOOGL's 10.0%
- 34.0% ROA vs GSAT's -2.3%, ROIC 67.4% vs -0.1%
QCOM has the current edge in this matchup, primarily because of its strength in value and dividends.
- Lower P/E (18.8x vs 25.3x)
- 1.7% yield, 23-year raise streak, vs MSFT's 0.8%
MSFT is the #2 pick in this set and the best alternative if income & stability and sleep-well-at-night is your priority.
- Dividend streak 19 yrs, beta 0.89, yield 0.8%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.89, Low D/E 32.7%, current ratio 1.35x
- Beta 0.89, yield 0.8%, current ratio 1.35x
- 39.3% margin vs GSAT's -19.0%
GOOGL is the clearest fit if your priority is growth exposure and valuation efficiency.
- Rev growth 15.1%, EPS growth 34.5%, 3Y rev CAGR 12.5%
- PEG 0.99 vs QCOM's 9.06
- 15.1% revenue growth vs AAPL's 6.4%
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 15.1% revenue growth vs AAPL's 6.4% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (18.8x vs 25.3x) | |
| Quality / Margins | 39.3% margin vs GSAT's -19.0% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.89 vs GSAT's 2.08, lower leverage | |
| Dividends | 1.7% yield, 23-year raise streak, vs MSFT's 0.8% | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +305.2% vs MSFT's -2.1% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 34.0% ROA vs GSAT's -2.3%, ROIC 67.4% vs -0.1% |
GSAT vs AAPL vs QCOM vs MSFT vs GOOGL — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
GSAT vs AAPL vs QCOM vs MSFT vs GOOGL — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 5 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Who Leads Where
QCOM leads in 2 of 6 categories
MSFT leads 1 • AAPL leads 1 • GSAT leads 1 • GOOGL leads 0 • 1 tied
Explore the data ↓Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
MSFT leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
AAPL is the larger business by revenue, generating $451.4B annually — 1721.7x GSAT's $262M. MSFT is the more profitable business, keeping 39.3% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to GSAT's -19.0%. On growth, GOOGL holds the edge at +21.8% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $262M | $451.4B | $44.5B | $318.3B | $422.6B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $93M | $160.0B | $12.8B | $192.6B | $161.3B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$50M | $122.6B | $9.9B | $125.2B | $160.2B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $151M | $129.2B | $12.5B | $72.9B | $73.3B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +57.2% | +47.9% | +54.8% | +68.3% | +60.4% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +1.4% | +32.6% | +25.5% | +46.8% | +32.7% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -19.0% | +27.2% | +22.3% | +39.3% | +37.9% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +57.6% | +28.6% | +28.1% | +22.9% | +17.3% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +2.1% | +16.6% | -3.5% | +18.3% | +21.8% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -121.9% | +21.8% | +173.0% | +23.4% | +81.9% |
Valuation Metrics
QCOM leads this category, winning 4 of 7 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 30.9x trailing earnings, MSFT trades at a 24% valuation discount to QCOM's 40.4x P/E. Adjusting for growth (PEG ratio), GOOGL offers better value at 1.23x vs QCOM's 19.44x — a lower PEG means you pay less per unit of expected earnings growth.
| Metric | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $10.3B | $4.22T | $213.5B | $3.13T | $4.81T |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $10.5B | $4.30T | $222.0B | $3.21T | $4.84T |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -138.10x | 38.53x | 40.43x | 30.86x | 36.82x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | 33.78x | 18.84x | 25.34x | 29.61x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 2.16x | 19.44x | 1.64x | 1.23x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 119.09x | 29.68x | 15.91x | 19.72x | 32.22x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 41.28x | 10.14x | 4.82x | 11.10x | 11.95x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 28.58x | 58.49x | 10.56x | 9.15x | 11.72x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 57.85x | 42.72x | 16.65x | 43.66x | 65.72x |
Profitability & Efficiency
AAPL leads this category, winning 5 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
AAPL delivers a 146.7% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $147 in annual profit, vs $-14 for GSAT. GOOGL carries lower financial leverage with a 0.14x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to AAPL's 1.52x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), AAPL scores 8/9 vs GSAT's 5/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -13.7% | +146.7% | +40.2% | +33.1% | +39.0% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -2.3% | +34.0% | +18.4% | +19.2% | +27.4% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | -0.1% | +67.4% | +29.1% | +24.9% | +25.1% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -0.1% | +69.6% | +28.9% | +29.7% | +30.3% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 5 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 7 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 1.51x | 1.52x | 0.77x | 0.33x | 0.14x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $151M | $76.4B | $8.5B | $81.9B | $28.6B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $391M | $35.9B | $7.8B | $30.2B | $30.7B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $542M | $112.4B | $16.4B | $112.2B | $59.3B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | -0.07x | — | 17.60x | 55.65x | 392.15x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
GSAT leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in GSAT five years ago would be worth $49,382 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $15,852 for QCOM. Over the past 12 months, GSAT leads with a +305.2% total return vs MSFT's -2.1%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors GSAT at 80.1% vs MSFT's 11.7% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +27.3% | +6.2% | +17.6% | -10.8% | +26.4% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +305.2% | +47.0% | +42.9% | -2.1% | +163.5% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +484.1% | +67.4% | +96.4% | +39.5% | +270.8% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +393.8% | +124.4% | +58.5% | +72.5% | +239.8% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +201.8% | +1174.1% | +350.2% | +787.7% | +996.1% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +80.1% | +18.7% | +25.2% | +11.7% | +54.8% |
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — MSFT and GOOGL each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
MSFT is the less volatile stock with a 0.89 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than GSAT's 2.08 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. GOOGL currently trades 99.5% from its 52-week high vs MSFT's 75.8% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 2.08x | 0.99x | 1.55x | 0.89x | 1.26x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $82.85 | $292.13 | $223.66 | $555.45 | $400.10 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $17.24 | $193.25 | $121.99 | $356.28 | $147.84 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +98.3% | +98.4% | +90.6% | +75.8% | +99.5% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 66.4 | 69.4 | 80.1 | 54.0 | 83.4 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 1.5M | 39.8M | 15.1M | 32.5M | 28.3M |
Analyst Outlook
QCOM leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Analyst consensus: GSAT as "Hold", AAPL as "Buy", QCOM as "Hold", MSFT as "Buy", GOOGL as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 31.1% upside for MSFT (target: $552) vs -19.0% for GSAT (target: $66). For income investors, QCOM offers the higher dividend yield at 1.70% vs GSAT's 0.10%.
| Metric | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Buy | Hold | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $66.00 | $317.11 | $175.00 | $551.75 | $406.28 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 5 | 110 | 69 | 81 | 82 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +0.1% | +0.4% | +1.7% | +0.8% | +0.2% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 2 | 14 | 23 | 19 | 2 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.08 | $1.03 | $3.44 | $3.23 | $0.82 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | +2.1% | +4.1% | +0.6% | +0.9% |
QCOM leads in 2 of 6 categories (Valuation Metrics, Analyst Outlook). MSFT leads in 1 (Income & Cash Flow). 1 tied.
GSAT vs AAPL vs QCOM vs MSFT vs GOOGL: Key Questions Answered
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is GSAT or AAPL or QCOM or MSFT or GOOGL a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Alphabet Inc.
(GOOGL) is the stronger pick with 15. 1% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 6. 4% for Apple Inc. (AAPL). Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) offers the better valuation at 30. 9x trailing P/E (25. 3x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Apple Inc. (AAPL) a "Buy" — based on 110 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 — GSAT or AAPL or QCOM or MSFT or GOOGL?
On trailing P/E, Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) is the cheapest at 30.
9x versus QUALCOMM Incorporated at 40. 4x. On forward P/E, QUALCOMM Incorporated is actually cheaper at 18. 8x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Alphabet Inc. wins at 0. 99x versus QUALCOMM Incorporated's 9. 06x — a PEG below 1. 0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.
03Which is the better long-term investment — GSAT or AAPL or QCOM or MSFT or GOOGL?
Over the past 5 years, Globalstar, Inc.
(GSAT) delivered a total return of +393. 8%, compared to +58. 5% for QUALCOMM Incorporated (QCOM). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: AAPL returned +1174% versus GSAT's +201. 8%. 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 — GSAT or AAPL or QCOM or MSFT or GOOGL?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) is the lower-risk stock at 0.
89β versus Globalstar, Inc. 's 2. 08β — meaning GSAT is approximately 135% more volatile than MSFT relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 14% versus 152% for Apple Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — GSAT or AAPL or QCOM or MSFT or GOOGL?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Alphabet Inc.
(GOOGL) is pulling ahead at 15. 1% versus 6. 4% for Apple Inc. (AAPL). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Alphabet Inc. grew EPS 34. 5% year-over-year, compared to -195. 0% for Globalstar, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, GSAT leads at 26. 3% 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 — GSAT or AAPL or QCOM or MSFT or GOOGL?
Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) is the more profitable company, earning 36.
1% net margin versus -25. 2% for Globalstar, Inc. — meaning it keeps 36. 1% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: MSFT leads at 45. 6% versus -0. 4% for GSAT. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — MSFT leads at 68. 8%, 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 GSAT or AAPL or QCOM or MSFT or GOOGL more undervalued right now?
The PEG ratio (forward P/E divided by expected earnings growth rate) is the most precise measure of undervaluation relative to growth potential.
By this metric, Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 99x versus QUALCOMM Incorporated's 9. 06x. A PEG below 1. 0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, QUALCOMM Incorporated (QCOM) trades at 18. 8x forward P/E versus 33. 8x for Apple Inc. — 14. 9x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for MSFT: 31. 1% to $551. 75.
08Which pays a better dividend — GSAT or AAPL or QCOM or MSFT or GOOGL?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
QUALCOMM Incorporated (QCOM) offers the highest yield at 1. 7%, versus 0. 1% for Globalstar, Inc. (GSAT).
09Is GSAT or AAPL or QCOM or MSFT or GOOGL better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.
89), 0. 8% yield, +787. 7% 10Y return). Globalstar, Inc. (GSAT) carries a higher beta of 2. 08 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (MSFT: +787. 7%, GSAT: +201. 8%), 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 GSAT and AAPL and QCOM and MSFT and GOOGL?
These companies operate in different sectors (GSAT (Communication Services) and AAPL (Technology) and QCOM (Technology) and MSFT (Technology) and GOOGL (Communication Services)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.
In terms of investment character: GSAT is a mid-cap quality compounder stock; AAPL is a mega-cap quality compounder stock; QCOM is a large-cap quality compounder stock; MSFT is a mega-cap quality compounder stock; GOOGL is a mega-cap high-growth stock. QCOM, MSFT pay a dividend while GSAT, AAPL, GOOGL do not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. 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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