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Echostar Corp. (SATS)
NASDAQ:SATS
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Echostar (SATS) AI Stock Analysis

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SATS

Echostar

(NASDAQ:SATS)

Rating:46Neutral
Price Target:
$27.00
▼(-9.64% Downside)
Echostar's overall stock score is primarily impacted by its weak financial performance and valuation, compounded by regulatory challenges and financial strategy shifts. While there are positive developments in subscriber growth and strategic initiatives, these are overshadowed by the company's financial instability and regulatory uncertainties.
Positive Factors
Investment Initiatives
EchoStar announced a new $5 billion investment to build a mobile wideband satellite network, showing commitment to expand its business.
Partnerships
EchoStar announced a new foray into a LEO Satellite DtD Wideband service with MDA Space, which seems compelling enough to help global wireless carriers.
Spectrum Value
The substantial private market value of EchoStar's spectrum holdings is a key positive factor.
Negative Factors
FCC Compliance
The FCC is contemplating actions that may negatively impact EchoStar’s spectrum portfolio.
Financial Stability
The unfunded business plan poses a risk to the company's financial stability.
Regulatory Risks
The uncertainty over the integrity of its FCC licenses is a significant concern given the FCC review.

Echostar (SATS) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Echostar Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionEchostar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS) is a global provider of satellite communication solutions and services, primarily focused on broadband satellite services, video distribution, and satellite technology. The company operates through two main segments: Hughes Network Systems, which delivers satellite broadband services to residential and enterprise customers, and EchoStar Satellite Services, which provides satellite capacity and services to media, telecommunications, and government sectors. Echostar leverages its advanced satellite technology and infrastructure to cater to a diverse range of communication needs across the globe.
How the Company Makes MoneyEchostar generates revenue primarily through its broadband satellite services offered by Hughes Network Systems, which includes subscription fees from residential and business customers for internet access. Additionally, the company earns revenue from leasing satellite capacity and providing satellite transmission services through EchoStar Satellite Services. Key revenue streams include long-term contracts with telecommunications and media companies for satellite capacity, as well as government contracts for secure communications solutions. Strategic partnerships with major telecommunications providers further enhance its revenue by expanding service offerings and customer reach.

Echostar Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Aug 01, 2025
(Q2-2025)
|
% Change Since: -8.32%|
Next Earnings Date:Nov 11, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The call highlighted strong subscriber growth and new strategic initiatives like the LEO constellation, demonstrating potential future expansion and innovation. However, it also revealed significant financial challenges and regulatory uncertainties impacting current operations and cash flow, creating a balanced outlook.
Q2-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Subscriber Growth in Wireless Segment
EchoStar reported 212,000 net subscriber additions in the Wireless segment, compared to a 16,000 net loss in the same period of 2024, ending the quarter with approximately 7.4 million subscribers.
LEO Constellation Announcement
EchoStar announced an agreement with MDA Space for a new LEO direct-to-device satellite constellation, aiming to provide global wideband services directly to standard 5G NTN devices. The launch is planned for 2028 with commercial services starting in 2029.
Boost Mobile Network Recognition
The Boost Mobile network received accolades for 5G reliability and coverage, ranked best by OpenSignal in over 1,200 towns and cities, with 5G broadband coverage to more than 80% of the U.S. population.
Improvement in Pay-TV Churn and ARPU
Pay-TV churn was reduced by 11 basis points from Q2 2024, and ARPU increased by 3% year-over-year, despite competitive headwinds in the streaming market.
HughesNet Enterprise Growth
EchoStar's Hughes in-flight connectivity solution was selected by two large airlines, and the enterprise committed contract volume increased by 8% year-over-year.
Negative Updates
FCC Review and Spectrum Uncertainty
The FCC began a review of EchoStar's spectrum licenses, creating uncertainty over their spectrum rights and freezing decisions about their 5G network build-out.
Financial Performance Decline
Revenue was approximately $3.7 billion, a decrease of 5.8% year-over-year, and OIBDA decreased by $163 million year-over-year.
Negative Free Cash Flow
EchoStar's free cash flow was negative $739 million for the second quarter, a $548 million decrease from the prior year, primarily due to higher cash interest and decreased OIBDA.
Broadband and Satellite Services Revenue Drop
BSS revenue decreased by 13.8% to $340 million, primarily due to lower sales of consumer broadband services and enterprise hardware.
Company Guidance
During EchoStar Corporation's Second Quarter 2025 earnings call, the company provided key guidance and updates on several fronts. The company reported a revenue of approximately $3.7 billion, a decrease of 5.8% year-over-year, primarily due to fewer subscribers in its Pay-TV and Broadband and Satellite Services segments. EchoStar achieved a net addition of 212,000 wireless subscribers, ending the quarter with 7.4 million subscribers, and reported a churn rate of 2.69%, an improvement of 24 basis points year-over-year. The company is focused on initiatives such as the development of a new LEO direct-to-device satellite constellation, with an expected launch in 2028 and commercial services starting in 2029. This project has a peak funding estimate of $5 billion and aims to significantly enhance global wideband services. EchoStar reported an operating free cash flow of $166 million for the first half of the year but faced a negative free cash flow of $739 million in the second quarter. The company is also addressing ongoing FCC reviews concerning its spectrum licenses, which has affected its 5G network build-out plans.

Echostar Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Echostar faces significant financial challenges, particularly with profitability and cash flow generation. High leverage and declining revenues contribute to a risky financial profile. While there are certain operational efficiencies, as seen in the EBITDA margin, the overall financial health of the company is under pressure, requiring strategic adjustments to improve stability and growth potential.
Income Statement
42
Neutral
Echostar's income statement reveals challenges with profitability as indicated by negative EBIT and net income figures in the TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months). The TTM gross profit margin stands at 28.05%, but continued revenue decline and negative net profit margin of -2.65% indicate financial pressure. Despite these issues, the EBITDA margin of 11.46% suggests some operational efficiency, albeit under strain.
Balance Sheet
55
Neutral
Echostar's balance sheet reflects a high leverage situation with a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.20 in the TTM, indicating significant financial risk. The equity ratio of 33.04% suggests moderate stability, but the high debt levels may constrain future growth. The return on equity is negative at -2.08%, highlighting profitability challenges.
Cash Flow
38
Negative
The cash flow statement indicates negative free cash flow, with a TTM free cash flow of -584.26 million. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is -2.43, reflecting inefficiencies in converting income to cash. Free cash flow has declined significantly, raising concerns about liquidity and operational efficiency.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue15.45B15.83B17.02B2.00B1.99B1.89B
Gross Profit4.27B5.69B5.07B1.14B1.20B1.14B
EBITDA2.38B2.34B-247.35M4.59B715.19M746.38M
Net Income-387.69M-119.55M-1.70B177.05M72.88M-51.90M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets59.88B60.94B57.11B58.75B6.05B7.07B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments4.33B5.55B2.44B4.31B1.55B2.53B
Total Debt29.63B29.81B25.89B25.72B1.65B2.52B
Total Liabilities40.09B40.69B36.72B36.70B2.63B3.47B
Stockholders Equity19.74B20.19B19.88B21.49B3.35B3.54B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow-1.46B-292.18M-668.27M180.61M160.25M86.94M
Operating Cash Flow535.98M1.25B2.43B529.61M632.23M534.39M
Investing Cash Flow-4.00B-3.05B-2.81B-275.19M158.93M-1.14B
Financing Cash Flow5.56B4.48B-277.12M-83.11M-1.15B-15.62M

Echostar Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price29.88
Price Trends
50DMA
28.19
Positive
100DMA
24.73
Positive
200DMA
25.28
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
0.17
Negative
RSI
59.48
Neutral
STOCH
78.83
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For SATS, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 29.88 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 28.32, above the 50-day MA of 28.19, and above the 200-day MA of 25.28, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 0.17 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 59.48 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 78.83 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for SATS.

Echostar Risk Analysis

Echostar disclosed 52 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Echostar reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Echostar Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (60)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
74
Outperform
$535.85M23.947.49%19.67%12.32%
60
Neutral
$43.67B3.93-13.01%4.05%1.89%-42.25%
60
Neutral
$3.75B-12.48%-1.43%43.14%
60
Neutral
$66.04M-30.53%58.04%21.09%
54
Neutral
$16.88B-69.70%249.43%-50.21%
46
Neutral
$8.52B-1.60%-35.86%85.81%
45
Neutral
$59.67M-43.88%-12.02%-615.33%
* Communication Services Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
SATS
Echostar
29.88
10.00
50.30%
CMTL
Comtech Telecommunications
2.03
-1.20
-37.15%
GILT
Gilat
9.29
4.74
104.18%
VSAT
ViaSat
28.21
11.19
65.75%
AMPG
AmpliTech Group
3.16
2.31
271.76%
ASTS
AST SpaceMobile
50.01
16.23
48.05%

Echostar Corporate Events

M&A TransactionsBusiness Operations and Strategy
EchoStar Sells Spectrum Licenses to AT&T for $22.65B
Neutral
Aug 26, 2025

On August 25, 2025, EchoStar Corporation entered into a License Purchase Agreement with AT&T Mobility II LLC, a subsidiary of AT&T Inc., to sell spectrum licenses for $22.65 billion, with conditions for potential price adjustments. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals and other conditions. Simultaneously, DISH Wireless L.L.C., a subsidiary of EchoStar, and AT&T Mobility LLC amended their Network Services Agreement, introducing new terms for DISH’s transition to a hybrid MNO model, effective from January 1, 2026, with potential extensions through 2035.

Private Placements and FinancingRegulatory Filings and Compliance
EchoStar Subsidiary Avoids Default with Interest Payment
Neutral
Jul 30, 2025

On July 30, 2025, DISH DBS Corporation, a subsidiary of EchoStar, made scheduled interest payments on its senior notes within the grace period, avoiding an event of default. The company is addressing concerns raised by the FCC in May 2025, working cooperatively to resolve these issues while exploring alternative solutions, although no resolution has been achieved yet.

Legal ProceedingsBusiness Operations and StrategyRegulatory Filings and Compliance
EchoStar Faces FCC Inquiry and Financial Strategy Shift
Negative
Jun 27, 2025

EchoStar Corporation, along with its subsidiary DISH DBS Corporation, is facing regulatory uncertainty due to inquiries by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that began in May 2025. This uncertainty has led the company to reassess its financial strategies, including the decision not to make certain interest payments on senior notes due in 2026 and 2028, which could lead to a default if not resolved within a 30-day grace period. Despite this, EchoStar has made other scheduled interest payments within their respective grace periods, following discussions with the FCC and encouragement from the President of the United States to find an amicable resolution. These actions aim to extend the timeline for resolving the FCC’s concerns and minimize disruption to EchoStar’s operations.

Legal ProceedingsRegulatory Filings and Compliance
EchoStar Delays $183 Million Interest Payments Amid FCC Review
Negative
Jun 2, 2025

EchoStar Corporation has decided not to make approximately $183 million in cash interest payments due on June 2, 2025, for its DISH DBS Corporation secured and unsecured notes. This decision is due to the uncertainty surrounding the Federal Communications Commission’s review. EchoStar has a 30-day grace period to make these payments before it is considered an Event of Default, and the company is awaiting relief from the FCC within this period.

Legal ProceedingsRegulatory Filings and Compliance
EchoStar Delays $326M Payment Amid FCC Review
Negative
May 30, 2025

On May 9, 2025, EchoStar Corporation received a letter from the FCC indicating a review of their compliance with federal obligations related to 5G services and MSS utilization. This has led to uncertainty regarding their spectrum rights, impacting their business decisions and prompting them to withhold a $326 million interest payment due on May 30, 2025, to allow time for FCC relief.

Legal ProceedingsRegulatory Filings and Compliance
EchoStar Challenges FCC Review Amidst 5G Concerns
Negative
May 28, 2025

On May 9, 2025, the FCC initiated a review of EchoStar’s compliance with its federal obligations related to 5G services and raised questions about its September 2024 buildout extension and MSS utilization. EchoStar responded on May 27, 2025, detailing the importance of its services and the potential negative impact of interrupting its deployment. The FCC’s actions have created uncertainty over EchoStar’s spectrum rights, affecting its 5G network buildout. EchoStar requested the FCC to deny a petition for reconsideration and reaffirm its licenses and milestones. EchoStar disclosed having 1.3 million subscribers and adding 88,000 wireless subscribers in April.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Aug 19, 2025