Telecommunications Services
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5 / 10Stock Comparison
T vs CMCSA vs VZ vs CHTR vs TMUS
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Telecommunications Services
Telecommunications Services
Telecommunications Services
Telecommunications Services
T vs CMCSA vs VZ vs CHTR vs TMUS — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industry | Telecommunications Services | Telecommunications Services | Telecommunications Services | Telecommunications Services | Telecommunications Services |
| Market Cap | $175.71B | $92.54B | $199.16B | $19.61B | $209.55B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $126.52B | $125.28B | $138.19B | $54.64B | $90.53B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $21.41B | $18.60B | $17.17B | $5.13B | $10.54B |
| Gross Margin | 79.7% | 61.7% | 55.7% | 43.3% | 54.3% |
| Operating Margin | 19.4% | 15.3% | 21.2% | 24.1% | 20.4% |
| Forward P/E | 10.9x | 7.2x | 9.5x | 3.8x | 18.4x |
| Total Debt | $173.99B | $110.44B | $200.59B | $97.12B | $122.27B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $18.23B | $9.48B | $19.05B | $477M | $5.60B |
T vs CMCSA vs VZ vs CHTR vs TMUS — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T Inc. (T) | 100 | 108.0 | +8.0% |
| Comcast Corporation (CMCSA) | 100 | 64.1 | -35.9% |
| Verizon Communicati… (VZ) | 100 | 82.3 | -17.7% |
| Charter Communicati… (CHTR) | 100 | 28.5 | -71.5% |
| T-Mobile US, Inc. (TMUS) | 100 | 193.6 | +93.6% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: T vs CMCSA vs VZ vs CHTR vs TMUS
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
T is the #2 pick in this set and the best alternative if growth exposure is your priority.
- Rev growth 2.7%, EPS growth 104.0%, 3Y rev CAGR 1.3%
- 16.9% margin vs CHTR's 9.4%
CMCSA carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and sleep-well-at-night.
- Dividend streak 18 yrs, beta 0.17, yield 5.3%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.17, current ratio 0.88x
- Beta 0.17, yield 5.3%, current ratio 0.88x
- Beta 0.17 vs CHTR's 0.31, lower leverage
VZ ranks third and is worth considering specifically for momentum.
- +14.6% vs CHTR's -61.7%
CHTR is the clearest fit if your priority is valuation efficiency.
- PEG 0.20 vs TMUS's 0.62
- Lower P/E (3.8x vs 18.4x), PEG 0.20 vs 0.62
TMUS is the clearest fit if your priority is long-term compounding.
- 405.7% 10Y total return vs VZ's 41.9%
- 8.5% revenue growth vs CHTR's -0.6%
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 8.5% revenue growth vs CHTR's -0.6% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (3.8x vs 18.4x), PEG 0.20 vs 0.62 | |
| Quality / Margins | 16.9% margin vs CHTR's 9.4% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.17 vs CHTR's 0.31, lower leverage | |
| Dividends | 5.3% yield, 18-year raise streak, vs VZ's 5.7%, (1 stock pays no dividend) | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +14.6% vs CHTR's -61.7% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 6.9% ROA vs CHTR's 3.3%, ROIC 8.2% vs 8.6% |
T vs CMCSA vs VZ vs CHTR vs TMUS — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
T vs CMCSA vs VZ vs CHTR vs TMUS — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 5 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Who Leads Where
CHTR leads in 2 of 6 categories
T leads 0 • CMCSA leads 0 • VZ leads 0 • TMUS leads 0 • 4 tied
Explore the data ↓Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
Evenly matched — T and CHTR each lead in 2 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
VZ is the larger business by revenue, generating $138.2B annually — 2.5x CHTR's $54.6B. T is the more profitable business, keeping 16.9% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to CHTR's 9.4%. On growth, TMUS holds the edge at +10.6% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $126.5B | $125.3B | $138.2B | $54.6B | $90.5B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $45.1B | $35.4B | $47.6B | $20.9B | $29.9B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $21.4B | $18.6B | $17.2B | $5.1B | $10.5B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $10.6B | $18.1B | $19.8B | $4.0B | $10.7B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +79.7% | +61.7% | +55.7% | +43.3% | +54.3% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +19.4% | +15.3% | +21.2% | +24.1% | +20.4% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +16.9% | +14.8% | +12.4% | +9.4% | +11.6% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +8.4% | +14.5% | +14.3% | +7.4% | +11.8% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +2.9% | +5.3% | +2.0% | -1.0% | +10.6% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -11.5% | -32.6% | -53.4% | +8.9% | -12.0% |
Valuation Metrics
CHTR leads this category, winning 4 of 7 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 4.3x trailing earnings, CHTR trades at a 79% valuation discount to TMUS's 19.9x P/E. Adjusting for growth (PEG ratio), CHTR offers better value at 0.23x vs TMUS's 0.67x — a lower PEG means you pay less per unit of expected earnings growth.
| Metric | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $175.7B | $92.5B | $199.2B | $19.6B | $209.5B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $331.5B | $193.5B | $380.7B | $116.3B | $326.2B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 8.28x | 4.71x | 11.63x | 4.28x | 19.92x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 10.88x | 7.20x | 9.54x | 3.76x | 18.40x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 0.25x | — | 0.23x | 0.67x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 7.36x | 5.25x | 8.00x | 5.28x | 10.11x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 1.40x | 0.75x | 1.44x | 0.36x | 2.37x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.41x | 0.95x | 1.89x | 1.04x | 3.70x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 9.04x | 4.23x | 9.90x | 4.44x | 20.26x |
Profitability & Efficiency
CHTR leads this category, winning 5 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 $16 for VZ. CMCSA carries lower financial leverage with a 1.13x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to CHTR's 4.73x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), T scores 7/9 vs VZ's 4/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +16.8% | +19.5% | +16.4% | +25.2% | +17.8% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +5.1% | +6.9% | +4.4% | +3.3% | +4.9% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +6.7% | +8.2% | +8.0% | +8.6% | +8.1% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +6.8% | +8.9% | +8.8% | +9.6% | +9.8% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 7 | 6 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 1.35x | 1.13x | 1.90x | 4.73x | 2.07x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $155.8B | $101.0B | $181.5B | $96.6B | $116.7B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $18.2B | $9.5B | $19.0B | $477M | $5.6B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $174.0B | $110.4B | $200.6B | $97.1B | $122.3B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 4.97x | 6.84x | 4.39x | 2.48x | 5.33x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
Evenly matched — T and VZ and TMUS each lead in 2 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in TMUS five years ago would be worth $14,858 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $2,229 for CHTR. Over the past 12 months, VZ leads with a +14.6% total return vs CHTR's -61.7%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors T at 18.5% vs CHTR's -23.8% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +4.7% | -11.8% | +20.0% | -26.0% | -2.5% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -4.4% | -21.9% | +14.6% | -61.7% | -20.2% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +66.4% | -28.5% | +46.3% | -55.8% | +40.0% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +27.6% | -46.1% | +1.6% | -77.7% | +48.6% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +41.6% | +12.6% | +41.9% | -27.5% | +405.7% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +18.5% | -10.6% | +13.5% | -23.8% | +11.9% |
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — VZ and TMUS each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
TMUS is the less volatile stock with a -0.27 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than CHTR's 0.31 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. VZ currently trades 91.4% from its 52-week high vs CHTR's 35.4% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | -0.25x | 0.17x | -0.10x | 0.31x | -0.27x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $29.79 | $36.66 | $51.68 | $437.06 | $261.56 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $22.95 | $25.36 | $10.60 | $154.71 | $181.36 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +84.5% | +69.3% | +91.4% | +35.4% | +74.0% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 36.4 | 36.7 | 46.8 | 30.9 | 46.9 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 33.7M | 28.6M | 24.1M | 2.3M | 5.5M |
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — CMCSA and VZ each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Analyst consensus: T as "Hold", CMCSA as "Buy", VZ as "Hold", CHTR as "Buy", TMUS as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 67.4% upside for CHTR (target: $259) vs 9.2% for VZ (target: $52). For income investors, VZ offers the higher dividend yield at 5.75% vs TMUS's 1.88%.
| Metric | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Buy | Hold | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $29.42 | $31.35 | $51.56 | $259.25 | $254.08 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 62 | 60 | 60 | 55 | 54 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +4.5% | +5.3% | +5.7% | — | +1.9% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 2 | 18 | 11 | — | 3 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $1.14 | $1.35 | $2.71 | — | $3.64 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +2.6% | +7.7% | 0.0% | +26.2% | +4.8% |
CHTR leads in 2 of 6 categories — strongest in Valuation Metrics and Profitability & Efficiency. 4 categories are tied.
T vs CMCSA vs VZ vs CHTR vs TMUS: Key Questions Answered
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is T or CMCSA or VZ or CHTR or TMUS a better buy right now?
For growth investors, T-Mobile US, Inc.
(TMUS) is the stronger pick with 8. 5% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -0. 6% for Charter Communications, Inc. (CHTR). Charter Communications, Inc. (CHTR) offers the better valuation at 4. 3x trailing P/E (3. 8x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Comcast Corporation (CMCSA) a "Buy" — based on 60 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 — T or CMCSA or VZ or CHTR or TMUS?
On trailing P/E, Charter Communications, Inc.
(CHTR) is the cheapest at 4. 3x versus T-Mobile US, Inc. at 19. 9x. On forward P/E, Charter Communications, Inc. is actually cheaper at 3. 8x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Charter Communications, Inc. wins at 0. 20x versus T-Mobile US, Inc. 's 0. 62x — a PEG below 1. 0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.
03Which is the better long-term investment — T or CMCSA or VZ or CHTR or TMUS?
Over the past 5 years, T-Mobile US, Inc.
(TMUS) delivered a total return of +48. 6%, compared to -77. 7% for Charter Communications, Inc. (CHTR). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: TMUS returned +405. 7% versus CHTR's -27. 5%. 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 — T or CMCSA or VZ or CHTR or TMUS?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), T-Mobile US, Inc.
(TMUS) is the lower-risk stock at -0. 27β versus Charter Communications, Inc. 's 0. 31β — meaning CHTR is approximately -215% more volatile than TMUS relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Comcast Corporation (CMCSA) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 113% versus 5% for Charter Communications, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — T or CMCSA or VZ or CHTR or TMUS?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), T-Mobile US, Inc.
(TMUS) is pulling ahead at 8. 5% versus -0. 6% for Charter Communications, Inc. (CHTR). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: AT&T Inc. grew EPS 104. 0% year-over-year, compared to -2. 2% for Verizon Communications Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, TMUS leads at 3. 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.
06Which has better profit margins — T or CMCSA or VZ or CHTR or TMUS?
AT&T Inc.
(T) is the more profitable company, earning 17. 4% net margin versus 9. 1% for Charter Communications, Inc. — meaning it keeps 17. 4% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: CHTR leads at 24. 3% versus 16. 7% for CMCSA. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — T leads at 79. 8%, 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 T or CMCSA or VZ or CHTR or TMUS 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, Charter Communications, Inc. (CHTR) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 20x versus T-Mobile US, Inc. 's 0. 62x. A PEG below 1. 0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, Charter Communications, Inc. (CHTR) trades at 3. 8x forward P/E versus 18. 4x for T-Mobile US, Inc. — 14. 6x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for CHTR: 67. 4% to $259. 25.
08Which pays a better dividend — T or CMCSA or VZ or CHTR or TMUS?
In this comparison, VZ (5.
7% yield), CMCSA (5. 3% yield), T (4. 5% yield), TMUS (1. 9% yield) pay a dividend. CHTR does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
09Is T or CMCSA or VZ or CHTR or TMUS better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, T-Mobile US, Inc.
(TMUS) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β -0. 27), 1. 9% yield, +405. 7% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (TMUS: +405. 7%, CHTR: -27. 5%), 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 T and CMCSA and VZ and CHTR and TMUS?
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: T is a mid-cap deep-value stock; CMCSA is a mid-cap deep-value stock; VZ is a mid-cap deep-value stock; CHTR is a mid-cap deep-value stock; TMUS is a large-cap quality compounder stock. T, CMCSA, VZ, TMUS pay a dividend while CHTR does 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.
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- Sector: Communication Services
- Market Cap > $100B
- Net Margin > 10%
- Dividend Yield > 1.8%
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