KT
KT Corporation
Telecommunications Services
Market Cap$10.21B
5Y Perf.+117.5%
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Stock Comparison
KT vs SKM
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
SKM
SK Telecom Co.,Ltd
Telecommunications Services
Market Cap$14.15B
5Y Perf.+93.2%
KT vs SKM — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | KT | SKM |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Telecommunications Services | Telecommunications Services |
| Market Cap | $10.21B | $14.15B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $28.21T | $17.84T |
| Net Income (TTM) | $1.73T | $1.01T |
| Gross Margin | 67.1% | 90.2% |
| Operating Margin | 8.7% | 8.7% |
| Forward P/E | 0.0x | 0.0x |
| Total Debt | $12.21T | $10.76T |
| Cash & Equiv. | $3.51T | $2.02T |
KT vs SKM — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
KT
SKM
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| KT Corporation (KT) | 100 | 217.5 | +117.5% |
| SK Telecom Co.,Ltd (SKM) | 100 | 193.2 | +93.2% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: KT vs SKM
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: KT leads in 4 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and valuation and capital efficiency. SK Telecom Co.,Ltd is the stronger pick specifically for capital preservation and lower volatility and dividend income and shareholder returns. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
KT
KT Corporation
The Growth Play
KT carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for growth exposure and sleep-well-at-night.
- Rev growth 8.3%, EPS growth 277.9%, 3Y rev CAGR 3.7%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.42, Low D/E 62.7%, current ratio 1.20x
- PEG 0.00 vs SKM's 0.00
Best for: growth exposure and sleep-well-at-night
SKM
SK Telecom Co.,Ltd
The Income Pick
SKM is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and long-term compounding.
- Dividend streak 1 yrs, beta 0.34, yield 3.9%
- 239.6% 10Y total return vs KT's 100.7%
- Beta 0.34, yield 3.9%, current ratio 0.81x
Best for: income & stability and long-term compounding
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | KT | 8.3% revenue growth vs SKM's 1.9% |
| Value | KT | Lower P/E (0.0x vs 0.0x), PEG 0.00 vs 0.00 |
| Quality / Margins | KT | 6.1% margin vs SKM's 5.7% |
| Stability / Safety | SKM | Beta 0.34 vs KT's 0.42 |
| Dividends | SKM | 3.9% yield, 1-year raise streak, vs KT's 3.8% |
| Momentum (1Y) | SKM | +72.3% vs KT's +8.4% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | KT | 4.1% ROA vs SKM's 3.5%, ROIC 6.9% vs 6.0% |
KT vs SKM — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLSKMLAGGINGKT
KTKT Corporation
2leads
SKMSK Telecom Co.,Ltd
3leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs KTMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
Tied
—
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
KT6/7
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
KT7/8
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
SKM4/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
SKM2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
SKM2/2
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
Evenly matched — KT and SKM each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
KT is the larger business by revenue, generating $28.21T annually — 1.6x SKM's $17.84T. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 6.1% (KT) to 5.7% (SKM). On growth, KT holds the edge at +3.6% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | KTKT Corporation | SKMSK Telecom Co.,Ltd |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $28.21T | $17.84T |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $6.39T | $5.20T |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $1.73T | $1.01T |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $984.0B | $3.07T |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +67.1% | +90.2% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +8.7% | +8.7% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +6.1% | +5.7% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +3.5% | +17.2% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +3.6% | -1.9% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +127.8% | -75.7% |
Evenly matched — KT and SKM each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
KT leads this category, winning 6 of 7 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 8.6x trailing earnings, KT trades at a 49% valuation discount to SKM's 16.8x P/E. Adjusting for growth (PEG ratio), KT offers better value at 0.39x vs SKM's 2.21x — a lower PEG means you pay less per unit of expected earnings growth.
| Metric | KTKT Corporation | SKMSK Telecom Co.,Ltd |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $10.2B | $14.2B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $16.2B | $20.2B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 8.56x | 16.78x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 0.01x | 0.01x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | 0.39x | 2.21x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 3.67x | 5.44x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 0.52x | 1.15x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 0.80x | 1.77x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 10.91x | 8.15x |
KT leads this category, winning 6 of 7 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
KT leads this category, winning 7 of 8 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
KT delivers a 9.1% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $9 in annual profit, vs $8 for SKM. KT carries lower financial leverage with a 0.63x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to SKM's 0.91x.
| Metric | KTKT Corporation | SKMSK Telecom Co.,Ltd |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +9.1% | +8.5% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +4.1% | +3.5% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +6.9% | +6.0% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +8.4% | +7.6% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 7 | 7 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.63x | 0.91x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $8.70T | $8.74T |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $3.51T | $2.02T |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $12.21T | $10.76T |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 6.61x | 3.87x |
KT leads this category, winning 7 of 8 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
SKM leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in SKM five years ago would be worth $20,270 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $19,058 for KT. Over the past 12 months, SKM leads with a +72.3% total return vs KT's +8.4%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors KT at 26.3% vs SKM's 24.9% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | KTKT Corporation | SKMSK Telecom Co.,Ltd |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +12.1% | +79.5% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +8.4% | +72.3% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +101.4% | +95.0% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +90.6% | +102.7% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +100.7% | +239.6% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +26.3% | +24.9% |
SKM leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
SKM leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
SKM is the less volatile stock with a 0.34 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than KT's 0.42 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. SKM currently trades 91.2% from its 52-week high vs KT's 86.2% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | KTKT Corporation | SKMSK Telecom Co.,Ltd |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.42x | 0.34x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $24.58 | $40.46 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $17.54 | $19.66 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +86.2% | +91.2% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 44.9 | 62.9 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 1.4M | 1.7M |
SKM leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
SKM leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates KT as "Buy" and SKM as "Hold". For income investors, SKM offers the higher dividend yield at 3.95% vs KT's 3.77%.
| Metric | KTKT Corporation | SKMSK Telecom Co.,Ltd |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | — | — |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 5 | 7 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +3.8% | +3.9% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 0 | 1 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $1161.87 | $2118.12 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +1.7% | +0.1% |
SKM leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
SKM leads in 3 of 6 categories (Total Returns, Risk & Volatility). KT leads in 2 (Valuation Metrics, Profitability & Efficiency). 1 tied.
Best OverallSK Telecom Co.,Ltd (SKM)Leads 3 of 6 categories
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KT vs SKM: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is KT or SKM a better buy right now?
For growth investors, KT Corporation (KT) is the stronger pick with 8.
3% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 1. 9% for SK Telecom Co. ,Ltd (SKM). KT Corporation (KT) offers the better valuation at 8. 6x trailing P/E (0. 0x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate KT Corporation (KT) a "Buy" — based on 5 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 has the better valuation — KT or SKM?
On trailing P/E, KT Corporation (KT) is the cheapest at 8.
6x versus SK Telecom Co. ,Ltd at 16. 8x. On forward P/E, KT Corporation is actually cheaper at 0. 0x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: KT Corporation wins at 0. 00x versus SK Telecom Co. ,Ltd's 0. 00x — a PEG below 1. 0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.
03Which is the better long-term investment — KT or SKM?
Over the past 5 years, SK Telecom Co.
,Ltd (SKM) delivered a total return of +102. 7%, compared to +90. 6% for KT Corporation (KT). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: SKM returned +239. 6% versus KT's +100. 7%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — KT or SKM?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), SK Telecom Co.
,Ltd (SKM) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 34β versus KT Corporation's 0. 42β — meaning KT is approximately 25% more volatile than SKM relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, KT Corporation (KT) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 63% versus 91% for SK Telecom Co. ,Ltd — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — KT or SKM?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), KT Corporation (KT) is pulling ahead at 8.
3% versus 1. 9% for SK Telecom Co. ,Ltd (SKM). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: KT Corporation grew EPS 277. 9% year-over-year, compared to 16. 3% for SK Telecom Co. ,Ltd. Over a 3-year CAGR, KT leads at 3. 7% 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.
06Which has better profit margins — KT or SKM?
SK Telecom Co.
,Ltd (SKM) is the more profitable company, earning 7. 0% net margin versus 6. 1% for KT Corporation — meaning it keeps 7. 0% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: SKM leads at 9. 4% versus 8. 7% for KT. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — SKM leads at 87. 3%, 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.
07Is KT or SKM more undervalued right now?
The PEG ratio (forward P/E divided by expected earnings growth rate) is the most precise measure of undervaluation relative to growth potential.
By this metric, KT Corporation (KT) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 00x versus SK Telecom Co. ,Ltd's 0. 00x. A PEG below 1. 0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, KT Corporation (KT) trades at 0. 0x forward P/E versus 0. 0x for SK Telecom Co. ,Ltd — 0. 0x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis.
08Which pays a better dividend — KT or SKM?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
SK Telecom Co. ,Ltd (SKM) offers the highest yield at 3. 9%, versus 3. 8% for KT Corporation (KT).
09Is KT or SKM better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, SK Telecom Co.
,Ltd (SKM) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 34), 3. 9% yield, +239. 6% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (SKM: +239. 6%, KT: +100. 7%), 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.
10What are the main differences between KT and SKM?
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.
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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Revenue Growth>
%
(KT: 3.6% · SKM: -1.9%)Net Margin>
%
(KT: 6.1% · SKM: 5.7%)P/E Ratio<
x
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