Telecommunications Services
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IQST vs ATUS
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Telecommunications Services
IQST vs ATUS — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Telecommunications Services | Telecommunications Services |
| Market Cap | $7M | $539M |
| Revenue (TTM) | $332M | $8.59B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-8M | $-1.87B |
| Gross Margin | 2.7% | 51.6% |
| Operating Margin | -0.6% | -1.3% |
| Total Debt | $8M | $250M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $3M | $1.01B |
IQST vs ATUS — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| iQSTEL Inc. (IQST) | 100 | 24.5 | -75.5% |
| Altice USA, Inc. (ATUS) | 100 | 6.4 | -93.6% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: IQST vs ATUS
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
IQST carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and growth exposure.
- beta 1.34
- Rev growth 96.0%, EPS growth -69.3%, 3Y rev CAGR 63.6%
- Lower volatility, beta 1.34, Low D/E 67.7%, current ratio 0.99x
ATUS is the clearest fit if your priority is long-term compounding.
- -88.0% 10Y total return vs IQST's -99.3%
- -28.7% vs IQST's -80.8%
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 96.0% revenue growth vs ATUS's -4.1% | |
| Quality / Margins | -2.5% margin vs ATUS's -21.8% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 1.34 vs ATUS's 1.80 | |
| Dividends | Tie | Neither stock pays a meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | -28.7% vs IQST's -80.8% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | -15.1% ROA vs ATUS's -156.2%, ROIC -5.0% vs -0.8% |
IQST vs ATUS — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
Segment breakdown not available.
IQST vs ATUS — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
IQST leads this category, winning 3 of 5 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
ATUS is the larger business by revenue, generating $8.6B annually — 25.9x IQST's $332M. IQST is the more profitable business, keeping -2.5% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to ATUS's -21.8%. On growth, IQST holds the edge at +89.6% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $332M | $8.6B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | -$1M | $1.6B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$8M | -$1.9B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$3M | $163M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +2.7% | +51.6% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | -0.6% | -1.3% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -2.5% | -21.8% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -1.0% | +1.9% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +89.6% | -2.3% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | — | -25.0% |
Valuation Metrics
IQST leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $7M | $539M |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $12M | $25.6B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -41.64x | -8.59x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | — |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | — | 7.70x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 0.02x | 0.06x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 20.98x | — |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | 3.61x |
Profitability & Efficiency
ATUS leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), ATUS scores 5/9 vs IQST's 1/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -59.6% | — |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -15.1% | -156.2% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | -5.0% | -0.8% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -7.1% | -0.8% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 1 | 5 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.68x | — |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $6M | -$762M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $3M | $1.0B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $8M | $250M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | -0.39x | — |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
ATUS leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in ATUS five years ago would be worth $509 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $294 for IQST. Over the past 12 months, ATUS leads with a -28.7% total return vs IQST's -80.8%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors ATUS at -14.3% vs IQST's -46.2% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -55.1% | +9.9% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -80.8% | -28.7% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -84.4% | -37.0% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -97.1% | -94.9% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -99.3% | -88.0% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -46.2% | -14.3% |
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — IQST and ATUS each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
IQST is the less volatile stock with a 1.34 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 IQST's 7.2% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.34x | 1.80x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $19.00 | $2.98 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $1.28 | $1.59 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +7.2% | +63.4% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 42.9 | 57.9 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 358K | 956K |
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates IQST as "Buy" and ATUS as "Buy".
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | — | $2.50 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 1 | 36 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | — | 3 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | 0.0% |
IQST leads in 2 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Valuation Metrics). ATUS leads in 2 (Profitability & Efficiency, Total Returns). 1 tied.
IQST vs ATUS: Frequently Asked Questions
8 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is IQST or ATUS a better buy right now?
For growth investors, iQSTEL Inc.
(IQST) is the stronger pick with 96. 0% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -4. 1% for Altice USA, Inc. (ATUS). Analysts rate iQSTEL Inc. (IQST) a "Buy" — based on 1 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 — IQST or ATUS?
Over the past 5 years, Altice USA, Inc.
(ATUS) delivered a total return of -94. 9%, compared to -97. 1% for iQSTEL Inc. (IQST). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: ATUS returned -88. 0% versus IQST's -99. 3%. 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 — IQST or ATUS?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), iQSTEL Inc.
(IQST) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 34β versus Altice USA, Inc. 's 1. 80β — meaning ATUS is approximately 35% more volatile than IQST relative to the S&P 500.
04Which is growing faster — IQST or ATUS?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), iQSTEL Inc.
(IQST) is pulling ahead at 96. 0% versus -4. 1% for Altice USA, Inc. (ATUS). Over a 3-year CAGR, IQST leads at 63. 6% 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 — IQST or ATUS?
iQSTEL Inc.
(IQST) is the more profitable company, earning -2. 1% net margin versus -21. 8% for Altice USA, Inc. — meaning it keeps -2. 1% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: IQST leads at -0. 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.
06Which pays a better dividend — IQST or ATUS?
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.
07Is IQST or ATUS better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, iQSTEL Inc.
(IQST) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding. 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 (IQST: -99. 3%, 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.
08What are the main differences between IQST and ATUS?
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: IQST is a small-cap high-growth stock; ATUS is a small-cap quality compounder 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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