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1. Company Snapshot

1.a. Company Description

EchoStar Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides networking technologies and services worldwide.The company operates in two segments, Hughes and EchoStar Satellite Services (ESS).The Hughes segment offers broadband network technologies, managed services, equipment, hardware, satellite services, and communications solutions to government and enterprise customers.


The segment also designs, provides, and installs gateway and terminal equipment to customers for other satellite systems.In addition, it designs, develops, constructs, and provides telecommunication networks comprising satellite ground segment systems and terminals to mobile system operators and enterprise customers.Further, this segment designs, provides, and installs gateway and terminal equipment to customers for other satellite systems, as well as offers satellite ground segment systems and terminals for other satellite systems, including mobile system operators.


The ESS segment provides satellite services using its owned and leased in-orbit satellites and related licenses to offer satellite services on a full-time and/or occasional-use basis to the U.S. government service providers, internet service providers, broadcast news organizations, content providers, and private enterprise customers.It serves customers in North America, South and Central America, Asia, Africa, Australia, Europe, India, and the Middle East.The company was incorporated in 2007 and is headquartered in Englewood, Colorado.

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1.b. Last Insights on SATS

EchoStar Corporation's recent performance was negatively impacted by a wider-than-expected Q4 loss of $1.03 per share, compared to a loss of $0.85 per share estimated by Zacks Consensus. The company's Pay-TV and Broadband segments experienced persistent subscriber and revenue declines. Additionally, EchoStar's shift to a hybrid MVNO/MNO model with AT&T compresses margins and introduces legal uncertainties. American Century Companies Inc. also reduced its stake in EchoStar by 39%, selling 1,040,137 shares. The company faces ongoing operational headwinds despite a strengthened balance sheet from $42.65B in spectrum sales.

1.c. Company Highlights

2. EchoStar's Q4 2025 Earnings: Navigating Challenges and Opportunities

EchoStar Corporation reported a challenging Q4 2025, with revenues declining in line with analyst expectations. The company's EPS came out at -$4.27, significantly worse than the estimated -$0.64296. The substantial loss was largely driven by impairment charges and decommissioning costs associated with their wireless segment. The EBITDA was impacted by the impairment charges taken in Q3, as mentioned by Paul W. Orban, "The impairment charges taken in Q3 affected the EBITDA in Q4."

Publication Date: Mar -03

📋 Highlights
  • Capital Allocation Strategy: Focus on returning excess capital to shareholders and long-term investments, with liquidity considerations including debt repayment and tax liabilities.
  • SpaceX Partnership: Direct-to-device services now handled by SpaceX under agreement, viewing them as near-term leaders despite EchoStar's exit from its own ecosystem.
  • Network Decommissioning Costs: $16 billion written off for network decommissioning, with remaining liabilities reduced to $5–7 billion from an initial $7–10 billion estimate.
  • DISH Wireless Progress: "Very, very close" to breakeven EBITDA after four years, driven by cost control in hybrid RAN/core and ensuring new customer profitability.

Financial Performance

The company's financial performance was marked by significant expenses related to decommissioning their network, with $16 billion written off, and expected further costs in the range of $5 billion to $7 billion. The connectivity expenses in the other segment are expected to decline significantly in Q1 and Q2 as they decommission tower sites.

Valuation Metrics

EchoStar's valuation metrics indicate a challenging outlook. The P/E Ratio stands at -2.64, and the P/S Ratio is 2.25. The EV/EBITDA ratio is -6.16, suggesting that the market is pricing in significant challenges for the company's profitability. The ROE is -98.78%, and the ROIC is -1.04%, indicating poor returns on equity and invested capital.

Strategic Developments

The company is navigating significant strategic developments, including their partnership with SpaceX for direct-to-device services. Charles Ergen mentioned that they have moved their customers off their network and are in litigation with several companies. The investment in SpaceX is seen as a key opportunity, although the exact impact of the xAI merger on their ownership is uncertain.

Wireless Segment

The wireless segment is a key area of focus, with Charles Ergen stating that they are "very, very close to a breakeven business" on an EBITDA basis. The total cost of running the hybrid RAN and hybrid core is being optimized, and every new customer is expected to be profitable.

Outlook

Analysts estimate next year's revenue growth at -2.3%, indicating a continued challenging environment. EchoStar's management is focused on maximizing shareholder returns, considering both short-term options and long-horizon investments. The company's decisions will be influenced by complex considerations, including debt repayment, tax liabilities, and investment opportunities.

3. NewsRoom

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EchoStar Stock Is Now in the S&P 500. Elon Musk's SpaceX Gave it a Boost.

Mar -23

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Skip the IPO Wait: How to Invest in SpaceX Today

Mar -23

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Beat the Wall Street Rush: How Everyday Investors Can Buy SpaceX Stock Right Now

Mar -22

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Small Cap Value ETFs: IWN Boasts Greater Small Cap Exposure But SLYV Has a Higher Yield

Mar -16

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This Stock Is a Way to Own SpaceX Shares Before Its IPO. But Investors Should Heed These 5 Big Risks.

Mar -16

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FORA Capital LLC Invests $3.70 Million in EchoStar Corporation $SATS

Mar -14

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Crossmark Global Holdings Inc. Makes New Investment in EchoStar Corporation $SATS

Mar -12

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Boost Mobile to Offer the New iPhone 17e

Mar -11

4. Business Breakdown

4.a. Revenues by Country

4.b. Revenues by Segment

5. Expected revenues mid-term growth (6.24%)

6. Segments

Pay-TV

Expected Growth: 4.6%

EchoStar's Pay-TV segment growth of 4.6% is driven by increasing demand for premium content, expansion into new markets, and strategic partnerships. Additionally, the company's focus on improving customer experience through advanced set-top boxes and enhanced user interfaces has contributed to subscriber growth. Furthermore, EchoStar's ability to offer competitive pricing and bundled services has helped to attract and retain customers.

Retail Wireless

Expected Growth: 10.27%

EchoStar Corporation's Retail Wireless segment growth of 10.27% is driven by increasing demand for high-speed data services, expansion of 5G network coverage, and strategic partnerships with major carriers. Additionally, growing adoption of IoT devices and rising need for reliable connectivity in rural areas contribute to the segment's growth.

Broadband and Satellite Services

Expected Growth: 8.38%

EchoStar's Broadband and Satellite Services segment growth of 8.38% is driven by increasing demand for high-speed internet and data services, expansion into new markets, and strategic partnerships. Additionally, the company's focus on improving network infrastructure and enhancing customer experience has contributed to the growth.

All Other and Eliminations

Expected Growth: 4.83%

EchoStar's All Other and Eliminations segment growth of 4.83% is driven by increased demand for its satellite-based services, expansion of its Hughes Network Systems business, and strategic partnerships. Additionally, the company's focus on cost optimization and operational efficiencies have contributed to the segment's growth.

5G Network Deployment

Expected Growth: 11.88%

EchoStar Corporation's 11.88% growth in 5G network deployment is driven by increasing demand for high-speed, low-latency connectivity, government initiatives for rural broadband expansion, and strategic partnerships with telecom operators. Additionally, the company's focus on satellite-based 5G infrastructure and its ability to provide cost-effective solutions for remote and underserved areas are key growth catalysts.

7. Detailed Products

HughesNet

HughesNet is a high-speed satellite internet service that provides reliable and secure connectivity to individuals and businesses in rural and underserved areas.

EchoStar Mobile

EchoStar Mobile is a next-generation satellite-based network that provides mobile broadband services to consumers, enterprises, and governments.

EchoStar XXI

EchoStar XXI is a S-band satellite designed to provide mobile satellite services (MSS) to European governments and commercial customers.

EchoStar XXIV

EchoStar XXIV is a high-power, all-electric propulsion satellite designed to provide broadcast and network services to customers in the Americas.

Satellite Operations

EchoStar's satellite operations provide telemetry, tracking, and command (TT&C) services, as well as satellite maintenance and repair services.

Hosted Payload Solutions

EchoStar's hosted payload solutions provide customers with a cost-effective way to launch and operate payloads on EchoStar's satellites.

8. EchoStar Corporation's Porter Forces

Forces Ranking

Threat Of Substitutes

EchoStar Corporation faces moderate threat from substitutes, as customers have limited alternatives for satellite-based services. However, the increasing adoption of fiber-optic and 5G networks may pose a threat to the company's services.

Bargaining Power Of Customers

EchoStar Corporation's customers have limited bargaining power due to the company's strong brand presence and limited alternatives in the satellite-based services market.

Bargaining Power Of Suppliers

EchoStar Corporation's suppliers have moderate bargaining power, as the company relies on a few key suppliers for satellite components and launch services. However, the company's strong relationships with suppliers mitigate this risk.

Threat Of New Entrants

The threat of new entrants is low for EchoStar Corporation, as the satellite-based services market has high barriers to entry, including significant capital requirements and regulatory hurdles.

Intensity Of Rivalry

The intensity of rivalry in the satellite-based services market is high, with several established players competing for market share. EchoStar Corporation faces intense competition from companies like Intelsat and SES.

9. SWOT Analysis

10. Capital Structure

10.a. Balance Sheet

10.b. Weighted Average Cost of capital

Value
Debt Weight 53.79%
Debt Cost 3.95%
Equity Weight 46.21%
Equity Cost 7.02%
WACC 5.36%
Leverage 116.39%

11. Quality Control: EchoStar Corporation passed 2 out of 9 key points

12.a Historical Valuation

12.b Price/Earnings Ratio

12.c Margin Valuation

12.d Peers Valuation

Peers Group Analysis

Stock-Card
Credo Technology Group Holding

A-Score: 4.9/10

Value: 0.0

Growth: 9.4

Quality: 8.5

Yield: 0.0

Momentum: 10.0

Volatility: 1.3

1-Year Total Return ->

Stock-Card
Ubiquiti

A-Score: 4.9/10

Value: 0.3

Growth: 8.1

Quality: 8.4

Yield: 1.0

Momentum: 9.0

Volatility: 2.3

1-Year Total Return ->

Stock-Card
Belden

A-Score: 4.3/10

Value: 3.8

Growth: 5.9

Quality: 5.5

Yield: 0.0

Momentum: 4.5

Volatility: 6.3

1-Year Total Return ->

Stock-Card
EchoStar

A-Score: 4.0/10

Value: 7.4

Growth: 4.2

Quality: 1.6

Yield: 0.0

Momentum: 10.0

Volatility: 1.0

1-Year Total Return ->

Stock-Card
Zebra Technologies

A-Score: 3.7/10

Value: 3.4

Growth: 5.2

Quality: 6.6

Yield: 0.0

Momentum: 2.0

Volatility: 5.0

1-Year Total Return ->

Stock-Card
Lumentum

A-Score: 3.5/10

Value: 2.0

Growth: 4.0

Quality: 3.0

Yield: 0.0

Momentum: 10.0

Volatility: 2.0

1-Year Total Return ->

Peers Metrics

12.e Scoring Insights

12.f DCF BETA

Parameters

Short Term Growth

Short term Time

Long-Term Growth

WACC

Target Price

109.49$

Current Price

109.49$

Potential

-0.00%

Expected Cash-Flows