SHEN
Shenandoah Telecommunications Company
Telecommunications Services
Market Cap$898M
5Y Perf.-69.2%
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Stock Comparison
SHEN vs WOW vs LUMN vs CABO
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
WOW
WideOpenWest, Inc.
Telecommunications Services
Market Cap$446M
5Y Perf.-20.4%
LUMN
Lumen Technologies, Inc.
Telecommunications Services
Market Cap$8.71B
5Y Perf.-13.9%
CABO
Cable One, Inc.
Telecommunications Services
Market Cap$345M
5Y Perf.-96.8%
SHEN vs WOW vs LUMN vs CABO — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | SHEN | WOW | LUMN | CABO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industry | Telecommunications Services | Telecommunications Services | Telecommunications Services | Telecommunications Services |
| Market Cap | $898M | $446M | $8.71B | $345M |
| Revenue (TTM) | $266M | $591M | $12.12B | $1.47B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-36M | $-78M | $-1.74B | $-260M |
| Gross Margin | 37.9% | 61.0% | 35.2% | 39.0% |
| Operating Margin | -10.3% | 1.2% | -2.6% | 26.0% |
| Forward P/E | — | — | — | 2.6x |
| Total Debt | $642M | $1.04B | $17.71B | $3.19B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $27M | $39M | $1.00B | $153M |
SHEN vs WOW vs LUMN vs CABO — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
SHEN
WOW
LUMN
CABO
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shenandoah Telecomm… (SHEN) | 100 | 30.8 | -69.2% |
| WideOpenWest, Inc. (WOW) | 100 | 79.6 | -20.4% |
| Lumen Technologies,… (LUMN) | 100 | 86.1 | -13.9% |
| Cable One, Inc. (CABO) | 100 | 3.2 | -96.8% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: SHEN vs WOW vs LUMN vs CABO
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: SHEN leads in 3 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and dividend income and shareholder returns. Cable One, Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for valuation and capital efficiency and capital preservation and lower volatility. WOW and LUMN also each lead in at least one category. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
SHEN
Shenandoah Telecommunications Company
The Growth Play
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%
- 21.6% 10Y total return vs LUMN's -35.7%
- 9.1% revenue growth vs WOW's -8.1%
- 0.7% yield, 3-year raise streak, vs CABO's 5.0%, (1 stock pays no dividend)
Best for: growth exposure and long-term compounding
WOW
WideOpenWest, Inc.
The Quality Compounder
WOW is the clearest fit if your priority is quality.
- -13.2% margin vs CABO's -17.7%
Best for: quality
LUMN
Lumen Technologies, Inc.
The Momentum Pick
LUMN is the clearest fit if your priority is momentum.
- +100.0% vs CABO's -65.2%
Best for: momentum
CABO
Cable One, Inc.
The Income Pick
CABO is the #2 pick in this set and the best alternative if income & stability and sleep-well-at-night is your priority.
- Dividend streak 0 yrs, beta 0.42, yield 5.0%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.42, current ratio 0.40x
- Beta 0.42, yield 5.0%, current ratio 0.40x
- Better valuation composite
Best for: income & stability and sleep-well-at-night
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | SHEN | 9.1% revenue growth vs WOW's -8.1% |
| Value | CABO | Better valuation composite |
| Quality / Margins | WOW | -13.2% margin vs CABO's -17.7% |
| Stability / Safety | CABO | Beta 0.42 vs LUMN's 2.74 |
| Dividends | SHEN | 0.7% yield, 3-year raise streak, vs CABO's 5.0%, (1 stock pays no dividend) |
| Momentum (1Y) | LUMN | +100.0% vs CABO's -65.2% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | SHEN | -2.0% ROA vs LUMN's -5.3%, ROIC -1.1% vs -0.8% |
SHEN vs WOW vs LUMN vs CABO — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2024
FY 2025
FY 2025
SHEN vs WOW vs LUMN vs CABO — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 4 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLCABOLAGGINGLUMN
Who Leads Where
CABO leads in 2 of 6 categories
SHEN leads 1 • WOW leads 0 • LUMN leads 0 • 3 tied
Explore the data ↓LUMNLumen Technologies, I…
0leads
WOWWideOpenWest, Inc.
0leads
SHENShenandoah Telecommun…
1leads
CABOCable One, Inc.
2leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs SHENvs WOWMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
CABO3/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
CABO4/5
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
SHEN5/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
Tied
—
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
Tied
—
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
Tied
—
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
CABO leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
LUMN is the larger business by revenue, generating $12.1B annually — 45.5x SHEN's $266M. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from -13.2% (WOW) to -17.7% (CABO). On growth, CABO holds the edge at -7.3% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | SHENShenandoah Teleco… | WOWWideOpenWest, Inc. | LUMNLumen Technologie… | CABOCable One, Inc. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $266M | $591M | $12.1B | $1.5B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $104M | $212M | $2.4B | $730M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$36M | -$78M | -$1.7B | -$260M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$276M | -$68M | $5.4B | -$167M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +37.9% | +61.0% | +35.2% | +39.0% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | -10.3% | +1.2% | -2.6% | +26.0% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -13.7% | -13.2% | -14.3% | -17.7% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -103.5% | -11.6% | +44.9% | -11.3% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -100.0% | -8.9% | -8.9% | -7.3% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -18.2% | -59.3% | 0.0% | +12.3% |
CABO leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
CABO leads this category, winning 4 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
On an enterprise value basis, CABO's 4.6x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than SHEN's 13.8x.
| Metric | SHENShenandoah Teleco… | WOWWideOpenWest, Inc. | LUMNLumen Technologie… | CABOCable One, Inc. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $898M | $446M | $8.7B | $345M |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $1.5B | $1.4B | $25.4B | $3.4B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -22.86x | -7.22x | -4.83x | -0.96x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | — | — | 2.63x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 13.80x | 6.68x | 9.91x | 4.60x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 2.51x | 0.71x | 0.70x | 0.23x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 0.92x | 2.04x | — | 0.24x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | — | 23.49x | 1.24x |
CABO leads this category, winning 4 of 5 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
SHEN leads this category, winning 5 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
SHEN delivers a -3.7% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $-4 in annual profit, vs $-79 for LUMN. SHEN carries lower financial leverage with a 0.66x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to WOW's 4.98x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), WOW scores 4/9 vs CABO's 3/9, reflecting mixed financial health.
| Metric | SHENShenandoah Teleco… | WOWWideOpenWest, Inc. | LUMNLumen Technologie… | CABOCable One, Inc. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -3.7% | -52.7% | -79.4% | -18.3% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -2.0% | -5.2% | -5.3% | -4.6% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | -1.1% | +0.4% | -0.8% | +6.1% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -1.3% | +0.5% | -0.6% | +7.1% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.66x | 4.98x | — | 2.23x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $614M | $1.0B | $16.7B | $3.0B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $27M | $39M | $1.0B | $153M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $642M | $1.0B | $17.7B | $3.2B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | -0.65x | 0.07x | -1.12x | 3.06x |
SHEN leads this category, winning 5 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
Evenly matched — SHEN and LUMN each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in SHEN five years ago would be worth $7,209 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $605 for CABO. Over the past 12 months, LUMN leads with a +100.0% total return vs CABO's -65.2%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors LUMN at 54.4% vs CABO's -50.3% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | SHENShenandoah Teleco… | WOWWideOpenWest, Inc. | LUMNLumen Technologie… | CABOCable One, Inc. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +43.5% | — | +10.0% | -41.7% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +41.3% | +21.8% | +100.0% | -65.2% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -13.6% | -37.4% | +267.8% | -87.7% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -27.9% | -67.3% | -28.8% | -93.9% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +21.6% | -68.5% | -35.7% | -70.3% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -4.8% | -14.5% | +54.4% | -50.3% |
Evenly matched — SHEN and LUMN each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — WOW 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 LUMN's 2.74 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. WOW currently trades 99.0% from its 52-week high vs CABO's 32.6% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | SHENShenandoah Teleco… | WOWWideOpenWest, Inc. | LUMNLumen Technologie… | CABOCable One, Inc. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.89x | 0.87x | 2.74x | 0.42x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $17.34 | $5.25 | $11.95 | $186.54 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $9.66 | $3.06 | $3.37 | $53.94 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +93.6% | +99.0% | +70.8% | +32.6% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 55.2 | 58.7 | 73.4 | 23.1 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 300K | 573K | 12.5M | 151K |
Evenly matched — WOW and CABO each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — SHEN and CABO each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Analyst consensus: SHEN as "Buy", WOW as "Hold", LUMN as "Hold", CABO as "Hold". Consensus price targets imply 78.7% upside for SHEN (target: $29) vs -16.3% for LUMN (target: $7). For income investors, CABO offers the higher dividend yield at 5.03% vs SHEN's 0.72%.
| Metric | SHENShenandoah Teleco… | WOWWideOpenWest, Inc. | LUMNLumen Technologie… | CABOCable One, Inc. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Hold | Hold | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $29.00 | — | $7.08 | $80.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 8 | 15 | 28 | 14 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +0.7% | — | +0.0% | +5.0% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.12 | — | $0.00 | $3.06 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | +0.3% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
Evenly matched — SHEN and CABO each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
CABO leads in 2 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Valuation Metrics). SHEN leads in 1 (Profitability & Efficiency). 3 tied.
Best OverallCable One, Inc. (CABO)Leads 2 of 6 categories
Loading custom metrics...
SHEN vs WOW vs LUMN vs CABO: Key Questions Answered
9 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is SHEN or WOW or LUMN 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 -8. 1% for WideOpenWest, Inc. (WOW). 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 WOW or LUMN or CABO?
Over the past 5 years, Shenandoah Telecommunications Company (SHEN) delivered a total return of -27.
9%, compared to -93. 9% for Cable One, Inc. (CABO). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: SHEN returned +21. 6% versus CABO's -70. 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 — SHEN or WOW or LUMN or CABO?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Cable One, Inc.
(CABO) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 42β versus Lumen Technologies, Inc. 's 2. 74β — meaning LUMN is approximately 558% 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 5% for WideOpenWest, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
04Which is growing faster — SHEN or WOW or LUMN or CABO?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Shenandoah Telecommunications Company (SHEN) is pulling ahead at 9.
1% 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, 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 WOW or LUMN or CABO?
WideOpenWest, Inc.
(WOW) is the more profitable company, earning -9. 3% net margin versus -23. 7% for Cable One, Inc. — meaning it keeps -9. 3% 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 — WOW leads at 59. 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 WOW or LUMN or CABO more undervalued right now?
Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for SHEN: 78.
7% to $29. 00.
07Which pays a better dividend — SHEN or WOW or LUMN or CABO?
In this comparison, CABO (5.
0% yield), SHEN (0. 7% yield) pay a dividend. WOW, LUMN do not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
08Is SHEN or WOW or LUMN 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. 0% yield). 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 (CABO: -70. 3%, 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 SHEN and WOW and LUMN 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; WOW is a small-cap quality compounder stock; LUMN is a small-cap quality compounder stock; CABO is a small-cap income-oriented stock. SHEN, CABO pay a dividend while WOW, LUMN do not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. 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.
Find Stocks Like These
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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 > 2.0%
Revenue Growth>
%
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