LUMN
Lumen Technologies, Inc.
Telecommunications Services
Market Cap$8.71B
5Y Perf.-38.9%
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Stock Comparison
LUMN vs WOW vs FYBR vs ATUS vs CHTR
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
WOW
WideOpenWest, Inc.
Telecommunications Services
Market Cap$446M
5Y Perf.-68.9%
FYBR
Frontier Communications Parent, Inc.
Telecommunications Services
Market Cap$9.64B
5Y Perf.+52.4%
ATUS
Altice USA, Inc.
Telecommunications Services
Market Cap$539M
5Y Perf.-95.4%
CHTR
Charter Communications, Inc.
Telecommunications Services
Market Cap$20.29B
5Y Perf.-76.9%
LUMN vs WOW vs FYBR vs ATUS vs CHTR — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | LUMN | WOW | FYBR | ATUS | CHTR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industry | Telecommunications Services | Telecommunications Services | Telecommunications Services | Telecommunications Services | Telecommunications Services |
| Market Cap | $8.71B | $446M | $9.64B | $539M | $20.29B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $12.12B | $591M | $6.11B | $8.59B | $54.64B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-1.74B | $-78M | $-381M | $-1.87B | $5.13B |
| Gross Margin | 35.2% | 61.0% | 65.1% | 51.6% | 43.3% |
| Operating Margin | -2.6% | 1.2% | 5.3% | -1.3% | 24.1% |
| Forward P/E | — | — | — | — | 3.8x |
| Total Debt | $17.71B | $1.04B | $12.03B | $250M | $97.12B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $1.00B | $39M | $806M | $1.01B | $477M |
LUMN vs WOW vs FYBR vs ATUS vs CHTR — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
LUMN
WOW
FYBR
ATUS
CHTR
| Stock | May 21 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lumen Technologies,… (LUMN) | 100 | 61.1 | -38.9% |
| WideOpenWest, Inc. (WOW) | 100 | 31.1 | -68.9% |
| Frontier Communicat… (FYBR) | 100 | 152.4 | +52.4% |
| Altice USA, Inc. (ATUS) | 100 | 4.6 | -95.4% |
| Charter Communicati… (CHTR) | 100 | 23.1 | -76.9% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: LUMN vs WOW vs FYBR vs ATUS vs CHTR
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: LUMN and FYBR are tied at the top with 2 categories each (5-stock set) — the right choice depends on your priorities. Frontier Communications Parent, Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for growth and revenue expansion and capital preservation and lower volatility. CHTR and ATUS also each lead in at least one category. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
LUMN
Lumen Technologies, Inc.
The Income Pick
LUMN has the current edge in this matchup, primarily because of its strength in dividends and momentum.
- 0.0% yield; the other 4 pay no meaningful dividend
- +100.0% vs CHTR's -60.4%
Best for: dividends and momentum
WOW
WideOpenWest, Inc.
The Communication Services Pick
Among these 5 stocks, WOW doesn't own a clear edge in any measured category.
Best for: communication services exposure
FYBR
Frontier Communications Parent, Inc.
The Growth Play
FYBR is the #2 pick in this set and the best alternative if growth exposure and long-term compounding is your priority.
- Rev growth 3.2%, EPS growth -11.8%, 3Y rev CAGR -2.5%
- 42.8% 10Y total return vs LUMN's -35.7%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.06, current ratio 0.55x
- Beta 0.06, current ratio 0.55x
Best for: growth exposure and long-term compounding
ATUS
Altice USA, Inc.
The Income Pick
ATUS is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability.
- Dividend streak 3 yrs, beta 1.80
- Better valuation composite
Best for: income & stability
CHTR
Charter Communications, Inc.
The Quality Compounder
CHTR ranks third and is worth considering specifically for quality and efficiency.
- 9.4% margin vs ATUS's -21.8%
- 3.3% ROA vs ATUS's -156.2%, ROIC 8.6% vs -0.8%
Best for: quality and efficiency
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | FYBR | 3.2% revenue growth vs WOW's -8.1% |
| Value | ATUS | Better valuation composite |
| Quality / Margins | CHTR | 9.4% margin vs ATUS's -21.8% |
| Stability / Safety | FYBR | Beta 0.06 vs LUMN's 2.74 |
| Dividends | LUMN | 0.0% yield; the other 4 pay no meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | LUMN | +100.0% vs CHTR's -60.4% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | CHTR | 3.3% ROA vs ATUS's -156.2%, ROIC 8.6% vs -0.8% |
LUMN vs WOW vs FYBR vs ATUS vs CHTR — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2024
FY 2024
FY 2025
FY 2025
LUMN vs WOW vs FYBR vs ATUS vs CHTR — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 5 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLFYBRLAGGINGWOW
Who Leads Where
FYBR leads in 2 of 6 categories
CHTR leads 1 • LUMN leads 1 • ATUS leads 1 • WOW leads 0 • 1 tied
Explore the data ↓WOWWideOpenWest, Inc.
0leads
CHTRCharter Communication…
1leads
ATUSAltice USA, Inc.
1leads
LUMNLumen Technologies, I…
1leads
FYBRFrontier Communicatio…
2leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs LUMNvs ATUSMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
FYBR3/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
Tied
—
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
CHTR6/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
LUMN4/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
FYBR2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
ATUS1/1
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
FYBR leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
CHTR is the larger business by revenue, generating $54.6B annually — 92.5x WOW's $591M. CHTR is the more profitable business, keeping 9.4% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to ATUS's -21.8%. On growth, FYBR holds the edge at +4.1% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | LUMNLumen Technologie… | WOWWideOpenWest, Inc. | FYBRFrontier Communic… | ATUSAltice USA, Inc. | CHTRCharter Communica… |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $12.1B | $591M | $6.1B | $8.6B | $54.6B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $2.4B | $212M | $2.1B | $1.6B | $20.9B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$1.7B | -$78M | -$381M | -$1.9B | $5.1B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $5.4B | -$68M | -$1.4B | $163M | $4.0B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +35.2% | +61.0% | +65.1% | +51.6% | +43.3% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | -2.6% | +1.2% | +5.3% | -1.3% | +24.1% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -14.3% | -13.2% | -6.2% | -21.8% | +9.4% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +44.9% | -11.6% | -23.2% | +1.9% | +7.4% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -8.9% | -8.9% | +4.1% | -2.3% | -1.0% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | 0.0% | -59.3% | +9.1% | -25.0% | +8.9% |
FYBR leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
Evenly matched — ATUS and CHTR each lead in 2 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
On an enterprise value basis, CHTR's 5.3x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than FYBR's 10.5x.
| Metric | LUMNLumen Technologie… | WOWWideOpenWest, Inc. | FYBRFrontier Communic… | ATUSAltice USA, Inc. | CHTRCharter Communica… |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $8.7B | $446M | $9.6B | $539M | $20.3B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $25.4B | $1.4B | $20.9B | $25.6B | $116.9B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -4.83x | -7.22x | -29.61x | -8.59x | 4.43x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | — | — | — | 3.80x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — | — | — | 0.24x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 9.91x | 6.68x | 10.55x | 7.70x | 5.31x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 0.70x | 0.71x | 1.62x | 0.06x | 0.37x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | — | 2.04x | 1.93x | — | 1.08x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 23.49x | — | — | 3.61x | 4.59x |
Evenly matched — ATUS and CHTR each lead in 2 of 5 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
CHTR leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
CHTR delivers a 25.2% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $25 in annual profit, vs $-79 for LUMN. FYBR carries lower financial leverage with a 2.44x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to WOW's 4.98x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), CHTR scores 7/9 vs WOW's 4/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | LUMNLumen Technologie… | WOWWideOpenWest, Inc. | FYBRFrontier Communic… | ATUSAltice USA, Inc. | CHTRCharter Communica… |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -79.4% | -52.7% | -8.1% | — | +25.2% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -5.3% | -5.2% | -1.8% | -156.2% | +3.3% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | -0.8% | +0.4% | +1.7% | -0.8% | +8.6% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -0.6% | +0.5% | +1.8% | -0.8% | +9.6% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 7 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | — | 4.98x | 2.44x | — | 4.73x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $16.7B | $1.0B | $11.2B | -$762M | $96.6B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $1.0B | $39M | $806M | $1.0B | $477M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $17.7B | $1.0B | $12.0B | $250M | $97.1B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | -1.12x | 0.07x | 0.44x | — | 2.48x |
CHTR leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
LUMN leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in FYBR five years ago would be worth $14,855 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $509 for ATUS. Over the past 12 months, LUMN leads with a +100.0% total return vs CHTR's -60.4%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors LUMN at 54.4% vs CHTR's -23.0% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | LUMNLumen Technologie… | WOWWideOpenWest, Inc. | FYBRFrontier Communic… | ATUSAltice USA, Inc. | CHTRCharter Communica… |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +10.0% | — | +1.1% | +9.9% | -23.4% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +100.0% | +21.8% | +5.5% | -28.7% | -60.4% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +267.8% | -37.4% | +105.5% | -37.0% | -54.3% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -28.8% | -67.3% | +48.6% | -94.9% | -76.9% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -35.7% | -68.5% | +42.8% | -88.0% | -24.9% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +54.4% | -14.5% | +27.1% | -14.3% | -23.0% |
LUMN leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
FYBR leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
FYBR is the less volatile stock with a 0.06 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than LUMN's 2.74 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. FYBR currently trades 100.0% from its 52-week high vs CHTR's 36.7% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | LUMNLumen Technologie… | WOWWideOpenWest, Inc. | FYBRFrontier Communic… | ATUSAltice USA, Inc. | CHTRCharter Communica… |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 2.74x | 0.87x | 0.06x | 1.80x | 0.33x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $11.95 | $5.25 | $38.50 | $2.98 | $437.06 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $3.37 | $3.06 | $36.04 | $1.59 | $156.00 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +70.8% | +99.0% | +100.0% | +63.4% | +36.7% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 73.4 | 58.7 | 72.8 | 57.9 | 28.2 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 12.5M | 573K | 0 | 956K | 2.3M |
FYBR leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
ATUS leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Analyst Outlook
Analyst consensus: LUMN as "Hold", WOW as "Hold", FYBR as "Buy", ATUS as "Buy", CHTR as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 73.1% upside for CHTR (target: $277) vs -16.3% for LUMN (target: $7).
| Metric | LUMNLumen Technologie… | WOWWideOpenWest, Inc. | FYBRFrontier Communic… | ATUSAltice USA, Inc. | CHTRCharter Communica… |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Hold | Buy | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $7.08 | — | $34.33 | $2.50 | $277.40 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 28 | 15 | 11 | 36 | 55 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +0.0% | — | — | — | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | — |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.00 | — | — | — | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | +0.3% | +0.7% | 0.0% | +25.3% |
ATUS leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Key Takeaway
FYBR leads in 2 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Risk & Volatility). CHTR leads in 1 (Profitability & Efficiency). 1 tied.
Best OverallFrontier Communications Par… (FYBR)Leads 2 of 6 categories
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LUMN vs WOW vs FYBR vs ATUS vs CHTR: Key Questions Answered
9 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is LUMN or WOW or FYBR or ATUS or CHTR a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Frontier Communications Parent, Inc.
(FYBR) is the stronger pick with 3. 2% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -8. 1% for WideOpenWest, Inc. (WOW). Charter Communications, Inc. (CHTR) offers the better valuation at 4. 4x trailing P/E (3. 8x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Frontier Communications Parent, Inc. (FYBR) a "Buy" — based on 11 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 — LUMN or WOW or FYBR or ATUS or CHTR?
Over the past 5 years, Frontier Communications Parent, Inc.
(FYBR) delivered a total return of +48. 6%, compared to -94. 9% for Altice USA, Inc. (ATUS). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: FYBR returned +42. 8% 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 — LUMN or WOW or FYBR or ATUS or CHTR?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Frontier Communications Parent, Inc.
(FYBR) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 06β versus Lumen Technologies, Inc. 's 2. 74β — meaning LUMN is approximately 4157% more volatile than FYBR relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Frontier Communications Parent, Inc. (FYBR) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 2% versus 5% for WideOpenWest, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
04Which is growing faster — LUMN or WOW or FYBR or ATUS or CHTR?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Frontier Communications Parent, Inc.
(FYBR) is pulling ahead at 3. 2% versus -8. 1% for WideOpenWest, Inc. (WOW). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: WideOpenWest, Inc. grew EPS 79. 6% year-over-year, compared to -30. 4% for Lumen Technologies, 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 — LUMN or WOW or FYBR or 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. 5% for LUMN. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — FYBR leads at 64. 5%, 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 LUMN or WOW or FYBR or ATUS or CHTR more undervalued right now?
Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for CHTR: 73.
1% to $277. 40.
07Which pays a better dividend — LUMN or WOW or FYBR or 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 LUMN or WOW or FYBR or ATUS or CHTR better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Frontier Communications Parent, Inc.
(FYBR) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 06)). Lumen Technologies, Inc. (LUMN) carries a higher beta of 2. 74 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (FYBR: +42. 8%, LUMN: -35. 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.
09What are the main differences between LUMN and WOW and FYBR and 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: LUMN is a small-cap quality compounder stock; WOW is a small-cap quality compounder stock; FYBR is a small-cap quality compounder stock; 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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