CCOI

Communication Services

Cogent Communications Holdings, Inc. · Telecommunications Services · $910M

UQS Score — Balanced Preset
18.6
Poor

Cogent Communications Holdings, Inc. scores 18.6/100 using the Balanced preset.

UQS vs Communication Services Sector
CCOI
18.6
Sector avg
35.8
Quality
Weak
Moat
Weak
Growth
Weak
Risk
Weak
Valuation
Elevated

What is Cogent Communications Holdings, Inc.?

Cogent Communications Holdings is a global internet service provider delivering high-speed connectivity, private networking, and data center colocation to businesses across six continents.

Cogent generates revenue by selling internet access and private network services to small and medium-sized businesses, carriers, and content providers. It connects customers both on-net — through buildings directly tied to its fiber infrastructure — and off-net via third-party last-mile circuits. The company also leases colocation space inside its data centers.

Founded in 2002 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., Cogent has built a fiber-based network spanning North America, Europe, Asia, and beyond.

  • High-speed on-net internet access
  • Private network services
  • Data center colocation
  • Off-net connectivity via partner circuits

Is CCOI a Good Stock to Buy?

UQS Score rates CCOI as Poor overall, reflecting weakness across all five scoring pillars.

Cogent operates a scaled fiber network with a broad geographic footprint, which provides some structural differentiation in the internet transit market.

The Quality, Moat, Growth, and Risk pillars all register as Weak, while Valuation is rated Elevated — a combination that signals meaningful headwinds for investors.

See the exact pillar breakdown and full financial metrics by signing up for a UQS Pro account. Sign up free →

Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.

Does CCOI pay dividends?

Yes — Cogent Communications Holdings, Inc. pays a dividend.

Cogent pays a regular dividend, which may appeal to income-focused investors. However, given the Weak quality and risk profile, investors should weigh the sustainability of that payout carefully before treating it as a primary draw.

When does CCOI report earnings?

Cogent Communications reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, typical for US-listed equities.

The company's recent results reflect the pressures visible in its UQS pillar profile — growth has been subdued and profitability metrics lag sector peers. Trends in enterprise demand and carrier pricing remain key variables to watch each quarter.

For the most recent quarter's results, visit Cogent Communications' investor relations page directly.

CCOI Price History

-59.6% over 5Y

Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.

Return Calculator

What if I invested in Cogent Communications Holdings, Inc.?

$
Today it would be worth
$4,516
That's a -54.8% total return, or -14.7% annualized.

Based on Cogent Communications Holdings, Inc.'s historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Cogent Communications do?

Cogent Communications provides high-speed internet access, private networking, and data center colocation services. It serves small and medium-sized businesses, carriers, and content providers across North America, Europe, Asia, and other regions through its own fiber network and partner circuits.

Does CCOI pay dividends?

Yes, Cogent Communications pays a regular dividend. Income investors should review the company's investor relations page for the current dividend rate and payment schedule, and consider the overall risk profile before relying on the payout.

When does CCOI report earnings?

Cogent Communications follows a standard quarterly reporting schedule. Specific upcoming dates are not covered by our data source — check the company's investor relations page or a financial calendar for confirmed dates.

Is CCOI a good stock to buy?

UQS Score rates CCOI as Poor, with Weak readings across quality, moat, growth, and risk, and an Elevated valuation. This profile warrants careful scrutiny. The full pillar breakdown is available to Pro members on UQS Score.

Is CCOI overvalued?

The UQS Valuation pillar for CCOI is rated Elevated, suggesting the current price is not well-supported by the underlying fundamental profile. Investors seeking value may find better-positioned alternatives in the [Communication Services sector](/sector/communication-services).

What is CCOI's market cap bracket?

Cogent Communications is classified as a small-cap company. This places it in a segment of the market that can carry higher volatility and liquidity risk compared to large- or mega-cap peers.

Is CCOI a long-term quality indicator?

From a long-term quality standpoint, CCOI's current UQS profile — Poor overall with Weak scores across multiple pillars — suggests the business faces structural challenges. Long-term investors should monitor whether the company can improve its moat and growth trajectory over time.

What sector does CCOI belong to?

Cogent Communications operates in the Communication Services sector, competing in internet transit, private networking, and data center colocation — segments that face pricing pressure and ongoing infrastructure investment demands.

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Analyze CCOI in Detail →

Pro Analysis

CCOI — Score History

1015202530Apr 2Apr 12Apr 22May 2May 12May 22May 24v5
Score changes· 16 most recent
DateUQSQualityMoatGrowthRiskValueChange
May 22, 202620.018.323.014.036.79.20.0
May 15, 202620.018.323.014.236.79.2-0.6
May 11, 202620.618.323.014.236.712.7+3.0
May 9, 202617.620.023.00.036.79.2-1.5
May 8, 202619.120.023.014.436.70.00.0
May 7, 202619.118.323.014.436.72.2+3.5
May 6, 202615.61.723.015.538.04.4-0.1
May 3, 202615.71.723.016.138.04.4-2.8
May 1, 202618.51.723.016.138.022.9+0.4
Apr 25, 202618.11.723.016.138.020.3-0.2

CCOI — Pillar Breakdown

Quality

18.3/100 (25%)

Cogent Communications Holdings, Inc. currently shows below-average quality metrics, suggesting challenges with profitability.

Capital Efficiency (ROIC)Weak

How effectively capital is deployed to generate returns.

Return on EquityStrong

Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.

Operating ProfitabilityWeak

Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.

Net ProfitabilityWeak

Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.

Gross Profit / AssetsWeak

Asset productivity — how much gross profit each dollar of assets generates.

Cash GenerationWeak

Free cash flow relative to market value.

Growth

14.0/100 (20%)

Cogent Communications Holdings, Inc. faces growth headwinds with declining or stagnant revenue trends.

Recent Revenue TrendWeak

Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.

3Y Revenue CAGRWeak

Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.

EPS GrowthWeak

Year-over-year earnings per share growth.

Forward Revenue OutlookWeak

Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.

Risk

36.7/100 (15%)

Cogent Communications Holdings, Inc. has some risk factors including moderate leverage or solvency concerns.

Financial LeverageWeak

Debt levels relative to earnings capacity.

Debt/EquityStrong

Total debt relative to shareholder equity.

Current RatioModerate

Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.

Interest CoverageWeak

Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.

Valuation

0.0/100 (15%)

Cogent Communications Holdings, Inc. appears expensively valued relative to its fundamentals and growth prospects.

EV/EBITDA vs SectorWeak

Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.

Moat

23/100 (25%)

Cogent Communications Holdings, Inc. operates in a highly competitive environment with limited sustainable advantages. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for CCOI.

Score Composition

Quality
18.3×25%4.6
Growth
14.0×20%2.8
Risk
36.7×15%5.5
Valuation
0.0×15%0.0
Moat
23.0×25%5.8
Total
18.6Poor

Financial Data

More Stock Analysis

How is the CCOI UQS Score Calculated?

The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for Cogent Communications Holdings, Inc. is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.

Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.

Moat (25%) assesses Cogent Communications Holdings, Inc.'s competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.

Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.

Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.

Valuation (15%) measures whether Cogent Communications Holdings, Inc. is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.

Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.