Telecommunications Services
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ATUS vs CHTR
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Telecommunications Services
ATUS vs CHTR — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Telecommunications Services | Telecommunications Services |
| Market Cap | $539M | $19.82B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $8.59B | $54.64B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-1.87B | $5.13B |
| Gross Margin | 51.6% | 43.3% |
| Operating Margin | -1.3% | 24.1% |
| Forward P/E | — | 3.7x |
| Total Debt | $250M | $97.12B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $1.01B | $477M |
ATUS vs CHTR — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | Jan 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Altice USA, Inc. (ATUS) | 100 | 7.3 | -92.7% |
| Charter Communicati… (CHTR) | 100 | 38.4 | -61.6% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: ATUS vs CHTR
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
ATUS is the clearest fit if your priority is value and momentum.
- Better valuation composite
- -28.7% vs CHTR's -61.1%
CHTR carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and growth exposure.
- beta 0.33
- Rev growth -0.6%, EPS growth 3.5%, 3Y rev CAGR 0.5%
- -26.5% 10Y total return vs ATUS's -88.0%
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | -0.6% revenue growth vs ATUS's -4.1% | |
| Value | Better valuation composite | |
| Quality / Margins | 9.4% margin vs ATUS's -21.8% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.33 vs ATUS's 1.80 | |
| Dividends | Tie | Neither stock pays a meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | -28.7% vs CHTR's -61.1% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 3.3% ROA vs ATUS's -156.2%, ROIC 8.6% vs -0.8% |
ATUS vs CHTR — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
ATUS vs CHTR — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
CHTR leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
CHTR is the larger business by revenue, generating $54.6B annually — 6.4x ATUS's $8.6B. CHTR is the more profitable business, keeping 9.4% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to ATUS's -21.8%.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $8.6B | $54.6B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $1.6B | $20.9B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$1.9B | $5.1B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $163M | $4.0B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +51.6% | +43.3% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | -1.3% | +24.1% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -21.8% | +9.4% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +1.9% | +7.4% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -2.3% | -1.0% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -25.0% | +8.9% |
Valuation Metrics
ATUS leads this category, winning 3 of 4 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
On an enterprise value basis, CHTR's 5.3x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than ATUS's 7.7x.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $539M | $19.8B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $25.6B | $116.5B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -8.59x | 4.32x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | 3.71x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 0.23x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 7.70x | 5.29x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 0.06x | 0.36x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | — | 1.05x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 3.61x | 4.49x |
Profitability & Efficiency
CHTR leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), CHTR scores 7/9 vs ATUS's 5/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | — | +25.2% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -156.2% | +3.3% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | -0.8% | +8.6% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -0.8% | +9.6% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 5 | 7 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | — | 4.73x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$762M | $96.6B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $1.0B | $477M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $250M | $97.1B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | — | 2.48x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
ATUS leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in CHTR five years ago would be worth $2,316 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $521 for ATUS. Over the past 12 months, ATUS leads with a -28.7% total return vs CHTR's -61.1%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors ATUS at -14.3% vs CHTR's -23.6% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +9.9% | -25.2% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -28.7% | -61.1% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -37.0% | -55.3% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -94.8% | -76.8% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -88.0% | -26.5% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -14.3% | -23.6% |
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — ATUS and CHTR each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
CHTR is the less volatile stock with a 0.33 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than ATUS's 1.80 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. ATUS currently trades 63.4% from its 52-week high vs CHTR's 35.8% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.80x | 0.33x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $2.98 | $437.06 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $1.59 | $156.14 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +63.4% | +35.8% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 57.9 | 28.7 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 956K | 2.3M |
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates ATUS as "Buy" and CHTR as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 77.2% upside for CHTR (target: $277) vs 32.3% for ATUS (target: $3).
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $2.50 | $277.40 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 36 | 55 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 3 | — |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | +25.9% |
CHTR leads in 2 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). ATUS leads in 2 (Valuation Metrics, Total Returns). 1 tied.
ATUS vs CHTR: Frequently Asked Questions
9 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is ATUS or CHTR a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Charter Communications, Inc.
(CHTR) is the stronger pick with -0. 6% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -4. 1% for Altice USA, Inc. (ATUS). Charter Communications, Inc. (CHTR) offers the better valuation at 4. 3x trailing P/E (3. 7x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Altice USA, Inc. (ATUS) a "Buy" — based on 36 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 — ATUS or CHTR?
Over the past 5 years, Charter Communications, Inc.
(CHTR) delivered a total return of -76. 8%, compared to -94. 8% for Altice USA, Inc. (ATUS). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: CHTR returned -26. 5% versus ATUS's -88. 0%. 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 — ATUS or CHTR?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Charter Communications, Inc.
(CHTR) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 33β versus Altice USA, Inc. 's 1. 80β — meaning ATUS is approximately 444% more volatile than CHTR relative to the S&P 500.
04Which is growing faster — ATUS or CHTR?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Charter Communications, Inc.
(CHTR) is pulling ahead at -0. 6% versus -4. 1% for Altice USA, Inc. (ATUS). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Charter Communications, Inc. grew EPS 3. 5% year-over-year, compared to -1718. 2% for Altice USA, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, CHTR leads at 0. 5% 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 — ATUS or CHTR?
Charter Communications, Inc.
(CHTR) is the more profitable company, earning 9. 1% net margin versus -21. 8% for Altice USA, Inc. — meaning it keeps 9. 1% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: CHTR leads at 24. 3% versus -1. 3% for ATUS. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — ATUS leads at 51. 6%, 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 ATUS or CHTR more undervalued right now?
Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for CHTR: 77.
2% to $277. 40.
07Which pays a better dividend — ATUS or CHTR?
None of the stocks in this comparison currently pay a material dividend.
All are effectively zero-yield and should be held for capital appreciation rather than income.
08Is ATUS or CHTR better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Charter Communications, Inc.
(CHTR) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 33)). Altice USA, Inc. (ATUS) carries a higher beta of 1. 80 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (CHTR: -26. 5%, ATUS: -88. 0%), 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 ATUS and CHTR?
Both stocks operate in the Communication Services sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
In terms of investment character: ATUS is a small-cap quality compounder stock; CHTR is a mid-cap deep-value stock. 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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