Focused on building reliable datasets, financial models, and research tools for value-minded investors. Committed to turning complex data into practical guidance for value-investing and long-term wealth.
Dr. Charlie Tian is the founder and CEO of GuruFocus.com, a leading global investment research platform established in 2004. With a Ph.D. in physics, Dr. Tian transitioned from science to finance, applying a data-driven, disciplined approach to value investing.
Shares Outstanding (EOP) are shares that have been authorized, issued, and purchased by investors and are held by them.
3-Year Share Buyback Ratio measures the average annual proportion of a company's outstanding shares repurchased over the past three years. It is calculated as the annualized percentage change in shares outstanding from three years ago to the current year. A positive ratio may indicate share buybacks over the period, while a zero or negative ratio may reflect no repurchases or potential share issuance. Iridium Communications's current 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio was 5.90%.
The historical rank and industry rank for Iridium Communications's 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio or its related term are showing as below:
IRDM'
s 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio Range Over the Past 10 Years
Min: -82.8 Med: -5.55 Max: 5.9
Current: 5.9
During the past 13 years, Iridium Communications's highest 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio was 5.90%. The lowest was -82.80%. And the median was -5.55%.
IRDM's 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio is ranked better than 96.96% of 230
companies
in the Telecommunication Services industry
Industry Median: -0.3
vs IRDM: 5.90
Iridium Communications (NAS:IRDM) 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio Explanation
A negative number means the company might be issuing new shares. A positive number indicates that the company is buying back shares.
Be Aware
Investors usually like share buybacks. But as pointed by Warren Buffett, only if a company buys back shares at the prices below the stock's intrinsic value, it rewards remaining shareholders. If a company buys its overvalued stocks back, it destroys shareholder value.
Iridium Communications 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio Related Terms
IRDM vs LBRDA, TDS, LBTYA: 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio Comparison
For the Telecom Services subindustry, Iridium Communications's 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio, along with its competitors' market caps and 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio data, can be viewed below:
* Competitive companies are chosen from companies within the same industry, with headquarter located in same country, with closest market capitalization; x-axis shows the market cap, and y-axis shows the term value; the bigger the dot, the larger the market cap. Note that "N/A" values will not show up in the chart.
Iridium Communications 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio vs Telecommunication Services Industry
For the Telecommunication Services industry and Communication Services sector, Iridium Communications's 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio distribution charts can be found below:
* The bar in red indicates where Iridium Communications's 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio falls into.
Iridium Communications 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio Calculation
This is the annualized percentage change in shares outstanding from three years ago to the current year. The annualized percentage change is calculated with expontential compound based on the latest four years of annual data on Shares Outstanding (EOP).
Please click Growth Rate Calculation Example (GuruFocus) to see how GuruFocus calculates Wal-Mart Stores Inc (WMT)'s revenue growth rate. You can apply the same method to get the average dividends per share growth rate.
What does a 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio of 5.90 mean?
Iridium Communications (IRDM) has a 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio of 5.90 as of Jun. 2026. The 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio measures the average annual proportion of a company's outstanding shares repurchased over the past three years. It is calculated as the annualized percentage change in shares outstanding from three years ago to the current year. View historical data for Iridium Communications and its competitors. According to the industry distribution chart, Iridium Communications ranks #7 out of 230 companies in the Telecommunication Services industry, placing it in the top 3%.
Is Iridium Communications' 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio too high?
Iridium Communications' current 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio is 5.90. Based on the distribution chart, Iridium Communications ranks #7 out of 230 companies in the Telecommunication Services industry, which is in the top quartile — a strong position relative to peers. Overall, Iridium Communications has a GF Score™ of 77/100 and is considered Modestly Overvalued, reflecting its overall financial health beyond just this single metric.
How does Iridium Communications' 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio compare to LBRDA and TDS?
According to the Telecommunication Services industry distribution chart, Iridium Communications ranks #7 out of 230 companies for 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio. This places Iridium Communications in the top 3% of its industry — outperforming the majority of peers. See the competitive comparison table and distribution chart on this page for a detailed peer-by-peer breakdown.
What is a good 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio for a Telecommunication Services company?
A good 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio depends on the Telecommunication Services industry context. However, 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio should not be evaluated in isolation — investors should consider it alongside profitability, growth, and financial strength metrics. Use the industry distribution chart on this page to see where any company falls relative to its peers.
What does a high 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio mean?
A high 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio can signal that a stock is expensive relative to its fundamentals. The 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio measures the average annual proportion of a company's outstanding shares repurchased over the past three years. It is calculated as the annualized percentage change in shares outstanding from three years ago to the current year. View historical data for Iridium Communications and its competitors. Iridium Communications's current 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio is 5.90. However, context matters — high-growth companies often justify higher valuations. Always evaluate alongside other metrics like GF Score™ and GF Value™.
Is Iridium Communications stock overvalued right now?
Based on GuruFocus' analysis, Iridium Communications (IRDM) is currently considered Modestly Overvalued. The stock's GF Value™ is $36.58, compared to a current price of $45.78 — trading 25.2% above its estimated fair value. The current 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio is 5.90. Iridium Communications' overall GF Score™ is 77/100 with 4 warning signs to review. Investors should evaluate multiple metrics — including profitability, growth, and financial strength — before making a decision.
How is 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio calculated?
3-Year Share Buyback Ratio is calculated from a company's financial statements. For Iridium Communications (IRDM), the current 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio is 5.90 as of Jun. 2026. GuruFocus calculates this using data sourced from SEC filings and annual reports. See the calculation section and 30-year financial data on this page for the full breakdown.
Is Iridium Communications (IRDM) Overvalued in 2026?
Based on GuruFocus' analysis, Iridium Communications stock appears to be overvalued.
The current stock price of $45.78 is trading 25.2% above its estimated GF Value™ of $36.58.
GuruFocus considers Iridium Communications to be Modestly Overvalued.
Key valuation signals for IRDM:
3-Year Share Buyback Ratio: 5.90
GF Value™: $36.58 vs. price of $45.78 (25.2% above fair value)
No single metric tells the full story. See the IRDM stock analysis page for a complete view including 30-year financials, guru trades, and insider activity.
Iridium Communications Inc is the commercial provider of communications services offering true globalised coverage, connecting people, organizations, and assets to and from anywhere, in real time. The company is a provider of mobile voice and data communications services through a constellation of low-earth-orbiting satellites. Iridium's solutions are ideally suited for industries such as maritime, aviation, government/military, emergency/humanitarian services, mining, forestry, oil and gas, heavy equipment, transportation, and utilities. Iridium also provides service to subscribers from the U.S. Department of Defense, as well as other civil and government agencies world-wide. The Company operates in one business segment, providing satellite communications services and products.
77GF Score
Get the complete analysis for IRDM
3-Year Share Buyback Ratio is just one metric. See GF Value™, 30-year financials, guru trades, warning signs, and more.
Quick Browse
Personalize
Premium Gurus 
Create New Portfolio
IRDM has been successfully added to your 
