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IQST vs GSAT vs SATS vs SPOK
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Telecommunications Services
Communication Equipment
Medical - Healthcare Information Services
IQST vs GSAT vs SATS vs SPOK — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industry | Telecommunications Services | Telecommunications Services | Communication Equipment | Medical - Healthcare Information Services |
| Market Cap | $7M | $10.33B | $35.26B | $225M |
| Revenue (TTM) | $332M | $262M | $15.00B | $103M |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-8M | $-50M | $-23.28B | $11M |
| Gross Margin | 2.7% | 57.2% | 37.1% | 91.4% |
| Operating Margin | -0.6% | 1.4% | -118.1% | 13.2% |
| Forward P/E | — | — | — | 16.4x |
| Total Debt | $8M | $542M | $31.01B | $7M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $3M | $391M | $1.88B | $25M |
IQST vs GSAT vs SATS vs SPOK — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| iQSTEL Inc. (IQST) | 100 | 24.5 | -75.5% |
| Globalstar, Inc. (GSAT) | 100 | 1826.9 | +1726.9% |
| EchoStar Corporation (SATS) | 100 | 393.5 | +293.5% |
| Spok Holdings, Inc. (SPOK) | 100 | 105.5 | +5.5% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: IQST vs GSAT vs SATS vs SPOK
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
IQST is the #2 pick in this set and the best alternative if growth exposure is your priority.
- Rev growth 96.0%, EPS growth -69.3%, 3Y rev CAGR 63.6%
- 96.0% revenue growth vs SATS's -5.2%
GSAT lags the leaders in this set but could rank higher in a more targeted comparison.
SATS is the clearest fit if your priority is long-term compounding.
- 209.8% 10Y total return vs GSAT's 201.8%
- +405.6% vs IQST's -80.8%
SPOK carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and sleep-well-at-night.
- Dividend streak 5 yrs, beta 0.42, yield 11.9%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.42, Low D/E 4.7%, current ratio 1.18x
- Beta 0.42, yield 11.9%, current ratio 1.18x
- Better valuation composite
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 96.0% revenue growth vs SATS's -5.2% | |
| Value | Better valuation composite | |
| Quality / Margins | 10.3% margin vs SATS's -155.1% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.42 vs GSAT's 2.08, lower leverage | |
| Dividends | 11.9% yield, 5-year raise streak, vs GSAT's 0.1%, (2 stocks pay no dividend) | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +405.6% vs IQST's -80.8% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 5.2% ROA vs SATS's -44.6%, ROIC 11.3% vs -32.9% |
IQST vs GSAT vs SATS vs SPOK — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
Segment breakdown not available.
IQST vs GSAT vs SATS vs SPOK — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 4 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Who Leads Where
SPOK leads in 4 of 6 categories
SATS leads 1 • IQST leads 0 • GSAT leads 0 • 1 tied
Explore the data ↓Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
SPOK leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
SATS is the larger business by revenue, generating $15.0B annually — 145.1x SPOK's $103M. SPOK is the more profitable business, keeping 10.3% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to SATS's -155.1%. On growth, IQST holds the edge at +89.6% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $332M | $262M | $15.0B | $103M |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | -$1M | $93M | -$16.1B | $17M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$8M | -$50M | -$23.3B | $11M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$3M | $151M | -$1.1B | $26M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +2.7% | +57.2% | +37.1% | +91.4% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | -0.6% | +1.4% | -118.1% | +13.2% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -2.5% | -19.0% | -155.1% | +10.3% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -1.0% | +57.6% | -7.1% | +24.7% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +89.6% | +2.1% | -4.3% | -100.0% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | — | -121.9% | -4.6% | -64.0% |
Valuation Metrics
SPOK leads this category, winning 3 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
On an enterprise value basis, SPOK's 8.9x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than GSAT's 119.1x.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $7M | $10.3B | $35.3B | $225M |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $12M | $10.5B | $64.4B | $206M |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -41.64x | -138.10x | -2.43x | 14.44x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | — | — | 16.41x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | — | 119.09x | — | 8.91x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 0.02x | 41.28x | 2.35x | 1.61x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 20.98x | 28.58x | 6.07x | 1.56x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | 57.85x | — | 8.91x |
Profitability & Efficiency
SPOK leads this category, winning 8 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
SPOK delivers a 7.3% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $7 in annual profit, vs $-177 for SATS. SPOK carries lower financial leverage with a 0.05x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to SATS's 5.33x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), SPOK scores 6/9 vs IQST's 1/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -59.6% | -13.7% | -176.8% | +7.3% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -15.1% | -2.3% | -44.6% | +5.2% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | -5.0% | -0.1% | -32.9% | +11.3% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -7.1% | -0.1% | -41.3% | +12.1% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 6 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.68x | 1.51x | 5.33x | 0.05x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $6M | $151M | $29.1B | -$18M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $3M | $391M | $1.9B | $25M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $8M | $542M | $31.0B | $7M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | -0.39x | -0.07x | -11.42x | — |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
SATS leads this category, winning 4 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 $294 for IQST. Over the past 12 months, SATS leads with a +405.6% total return vs IQST's -80.8%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors SATS at 97.8% vs IQST's -46.2% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -55.1% | +27.3% | +9.3% | -14.3% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -80.8% | +305.2% | +405.6% | -26.7% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -84.4% | +484.1% | +674.1% | +13.4% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -97.1% | +393.8% | +359.1% | +61.9% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -99.3% | +201.8% | +209.8% | +13.3% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -46.2% | +80.1% | +97.8% | +4.3% |
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — GSAT and SPOK each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
SPOK is the less volatile stock with a 0.42 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. GSAT currently trades 98.3% from its 52-week high vs IQST's 7.2% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.34x | 2.08x | 1.25x | 0.42x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $19.00 | $82.85 | $137.44 | $19.31 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $1.28 | $17.24 | $14.90 | $9.96 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +7.2% | +98.3% | +89.2% | +56.1% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 42.9 | 66.4 | 54.1 | 36.7 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 358K | 1.5M | 5.9M | 185K |
Analyst Outlook
SPOK leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Analyst consensus: IQST as "Buy", GSAT as "Hold", SATS as "Buy", SPOK as "Hold". Consensus price targets imply 38.5% upside for SPOK (target: $15) vs -19.0% for GSAT (target: $66). For income investors, SPOK offers the higher dividend yield at 11.95% vs GSAT's 0.10%.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Hold | Buy | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | — | $66.00 | $131.00 | $15.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 1 | 5 | 11 | 1 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | +0.1% | — | +11.9% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | — | 2 | 0 | 5 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | $0.08 | — | $1.29 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | 0.0% | +0.1% | +1.3% |
SPOK leads in 4 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Valuation Metrics). SATS leads in 1 (Total Returns). 1 tied.
IQST vs GSAT vs SATS vs SPOK: Key Questions Answered
9 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is IQST or GSAT or SATS or SPOK a better buy right now?
For growth investors, iQSTEL Inc.
(IQST) is the stronger pick with 96. 0% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -5. 2% for EchoStar Corporation (SATS). Spok Holdings, Inc. (SPOK) offers the better valuation at 14. 4x trailing P/E (16. 4x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate iQSTEL Inc. (IQST) a "Buy" — based on 1 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 is the better long-term investment — IQST or GSAT or SATS or SPOK?
Over the past 5 years, Globalstar, Inc.
(GSAT) delivered a total return of +393. 8%, compared to -97. 1% for iQSTEL Inc. (IQST). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: SATS returned +209. 8% versus IQST's -99. 3%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
03Which is safer — IQST or GSAT or SATS or SPOK?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Spok Holdings, Inc.
(SPOK) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 42β versus Globalstar, Inc. 's 2. 08β — meaning GSAT is approximately 396% more volatile than SPOK relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Spok Holdings, Inc. (SPOK) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 5% versus 5% for EchoStar Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
04Which is growing faster — IQST or GSAT or SATS or SPOK?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), iQSTEL Inc.
(IQST) is pulling ahead at 96. 0% versus -5. 2% for EchoStar Corporation (SATS). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Spok Holdings, Inc. grew EPS 2. 7% year-over-year, compared to -113. 6% for EchoStar Corporation. Over a 3-year CAGR, IQST leads at 63. 6% 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.
05Which has better profit margins — IQST or GSAT or SATS or SPOK?
Spok Holdings, Inc.
(SPOK) is the more profitable company, earning 11. 4% net margin versus -155. 1% for EchoStar Corporation — meaning it keeps 11. 4% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: SPOK leads at 14. 1% versus -118. 1% for SATS. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — SPOK leads at 78. 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.
06Is IQST or GSAT or SATS or SPOK more undervalued right now?
Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for SPOK: 38.
5% to $15. 00.
07Which pays a better dividend — IQST or GSAT or SATS or SPOK?
In this comparison, SPOK (11.
9% yield), GSAT (0. 1% yield) pay a dividend. IQST, SATS do not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
08Is IQST or GSAT or SATS or SPOK better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Spok Holdings, Inc.
(SPOK) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 42), 11. 9% yield). 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 (SPOK: +13. 3%, 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.
09What are the main differences between IQST and GSAT and SATS and SPOK?
These companies operate in different sectors (IQST (Communication Services) and GSAT (Communication Services) and SATS (Technology) and SPOK (Healthcare)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.
In terms of investment character: IQST is a small-cap high-growth stock; GSAT is a mid-cap quality compounder stock; SATS is a mid-cap quality compounder stock; SPOK is a small-cap deep-value stock. SPOK pays a dividend while IQST, GSAT, SATS 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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