Telecommunications Services
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SHEN vs CABO
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Telecommunications Services
SHEN vs CABO — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Telecommunications Services | Telecommunications Services |
| Market Cap | $897M | $316M |
| Revenue (TTM) | $266M | $1.47B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-36M | $-260M |
| Gross Margin | 37.9% | 39.0% |
| Operating Margin | -10.3% | 26.0% |
| Forward P/E | — | 2.4x |
| Total Debt | $642M | $3.19B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $27M | $153M |
SHEN vs CABO — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shenandoah Telecomm… (SHEN) | 100 | 30.8 | -69.2% |
| Cable One, Inc. (CABO) | 100 | 3.0 | -97.0% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: SHEN vs CABO
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
SHEN carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for growth exposure and long-term compounding.
- Rev growth 9.1%, EPS growth -120.1%, 3Y rev CAGR 12.9%
- 21.7% 10Y total return vs CABO's -71.1%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.89, Low D/E 66.2%, current ratio 0.90x
CABO is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and defensive.
- Dividend streak 0 yrs, beta 0.42, yield 5.5%
- Beta 0.42, yield 5.5%, current ratio 0.40x
- Beta 0.42 vs SHEN's 0.89
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 9.1% revenue growth vs CABO's -4.9% | |
| Quality / Margins | -13.7% margin vs CABO's -17.7% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.42 vs SHEN's 0.89 | |
| Dividends | 0.7% yield, 3-year raise streak, vs CABO's 5.5% | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +39.2% vs CABO's -69.5% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | -2.0% ROA vs CABO's -4.6%, ROIC -1.1% vs 6.1% |
SHEN vs CABO — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
SHEN vs CABO — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
CABO leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
CABO is the larger business by revenue, generating $1.5B annually — 5.5x SHEN's $266M. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from -13.7% (SHEN) to -17.7% (CABO). On growth, CABO holds the edge at -7.3% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $266M | $1.5B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $104M | $730M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$36M | -$260M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$276M | -$167M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +37.9% | +39.0% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | -10.3% | +26.0% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -13.7% | -17.7% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -103.5% | -11.3% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -100.0% | -7.3% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -18.2% | +12.3% |
Valuation Metrics
CABO leads this category, winning 3 of 4 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
On an enterprise value basis, CABO's 4.6x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than SHEN's 13.8x.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $897M | $316M |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $1.5B | $3.4B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -22.85x | -0.88x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | 2.42x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 13.80x | 4.56x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 2.51x | 0.21x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 0.92x | 0.22x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | 1.14x |
Profitability & Efficiency
SHEN leads this category, winning 5 of 8 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
SHEN delivers a -3.7% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $-4 in annual profit, vs $-18 for CABO. SHEN carries lower financial leverage with a 0.66x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to CABO's 2.23x.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -3.7% | -18.3% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -2.0% | -4.6% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | -1.1% | +6.1% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -1.3% | +7.1% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 3 | 3 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.66x | 2.23x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $614M | $3.0B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $27M | $153M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $642M | $3.2B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | -0.65x | 3.06x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
SHEN leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in SHEN five years ago would be worth $7,127 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $594 for CABO. Over the past 12 months, SHEN leads with a +39.2% total return vs CABO's -69.5%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors SHEN at -4.8% vs CABO's -51.3% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +43.4% | -46.5% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +39.2% | -69.5% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -13.7% | -88.5% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -28.7% | -94.1% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +21.7% | -71.1% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -4.8% | -51.3% |
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — SHEN and CABO each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
CABO is the less volatile stock with a 0.42 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than SHEN's 0.89 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. SHEN currently trades 93.5% from its 52-week high vs CABO's 29.7% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.89x | 0.42x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $17.34 | $187.90 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $9.66 | $55.63 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +93.5% | +29.7% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 53.8 | 25.9 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 299K | 150K |
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — SHEN and CABO each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates SHEN as "Buy" and CABO as "Hold". Consensus price targets imply 78.8% upside for SHEN (target: $29) vs 43.6% for CABO (target: $80). For income investors, CABO offers the higher dividend yield at 5.48% vs SHEN's 0.72%.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $29.00 | $80.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 8 | 14 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +0.7% | +5.5% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 3 | 0 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.12 | $3.06 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | 0.0% |
CABO leads in 2 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Valuation Metrics). SHEN leads in 2 (Profitability & Efficiency, Total Returns). 2 tied.
SHEN vs CABO: Frequently Asked Questions
9 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is SHEN or CABO a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Shenandoah Telecommunications Company (SHEN) is the stronger pick with 9.
1% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -4. 9% for Cable One, Inc. (CABO). Analysts rate Shenandoah Telecommunications Company (SHEN) a "Buy" — based on 8 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 — SHEN or CABO?
Over the past 5 years, Shenandoah Telecommunications Company (SHEN) delivered a total return of -28.
7%, compared to -94. 1% for Cable One, Inc. (CABO). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: SHEN returned +21. 7% versus CABO's -71. 1%. 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 — SHEN or CABO?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Cable One, Inc.
(CABO) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 42β versus Shenandoah Telecommunications Company's 0. 89β — meaning SHEN is approximately 112% more volatile than CABO relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Shenandoah Telecommunications Company (SHEN) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 66% versus 2% for Cable One, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
04Which is growing faster — SHEN or CABO?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Shenandoah Telecommunications Company (SHEN) is pulling ahead at 9.
1% versus -4. 9% for Cable One, Inc. (CABO). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Shenandoah Telecommunications Company grew EPS -120. 1% year-over-year, compared to -25. 5% for Cable One, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, SHEN leads at 12. 9% 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 — SHEN or CABO?
Shenandoah Telecommunications Company (SHEN) is the more profitable company, earning -11.
0% net margin versus -23. 7% for Cable One, Inc. — meaning it keeps -11. 0% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: CABO leads at 26. 5% versus -6. 2% for SHEN. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — CABO leads at 51. 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.
06Is SHEN or CABO more undervalued right now?
Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for SHEN: 78.
8% to $29. 00.
07Which pays a better dividend — SHEN or CABO?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Cable One, Inc. (CABO) offers the highest yield at 5. 5%, versus 0. 7% for Shenandoah Telecommunications Company (SHEN).
08Is SHEN or CABO better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Cable One, Inc.
(CABO) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 42), 5. 5% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (CABO: -71. 1%, SHEN: +21. 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 SHEN and CABO?
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: SHEN is a small-cap quality compounder stock; CABO is a small-cap income-oriented 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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- Sector: Communication Services
- Market Cap > $100B
- Gross Margin > 22%
- Dividend Yield > 0.5%
- Sector: Communication Services
- Market Cap > $100B
- Gross Margin > 23%
- Dividend Yield > 2.1%
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