TGNA
TEGNA Inc.
Broadcasting
Market Cap$3.23B
5Y Perf.+70.9%
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Stock Comparison
TGNA vs NXST
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
NXST
Nexstar Media Group, Inc.
Entertainment
Market Cap$5.89B
5Y Perf.+201.3%
TGNA vs NXST — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | TGNA | NXST |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Broadcasting | Entertainment |
| Market Cap | $3.23B | $5.89B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $2.71B | $5.11B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $219M | $165M |
| Gross Margin | 36.2% | 32.3% |
| Operating Margin | 16.3% | 17.8% |
| Forward P/E | 6.4x | 7.9x |
| Total Debt | $2.60B | $6.86B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $-291M | $280M |
TGNA vs NXST — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
TGNA
NXST
| Stock | May 20 | Mar 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| TEGNA Inc. (TGNA) | 100 | 170.9 | +70.9% |
| Nexstar Media Group… (NXST) | 100 | 301.3 | +201.3% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: TGNA vs NXST
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: TGNA leads in 4 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for valuation and capital efficiency and profitability and margin quality. Nexstar Media Group, Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for growth and revenue expansion and dividend income and shareholder returns. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
TGNA
TEGNA Inc.
The Income Pick
TGNA carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and sleep-well-at-night.
- Dividend streak 6 yrs, beta 0.47, yield 2.5%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.47, Low D/E 82.4%, current ratio 2.28x
- Beta 0.47, yield 2.5%, current ratio 2.28x
Best for: income & stability and sleep-well-at-night
NXST
Nexstar Media Group, Inc.
The Growth Play
NXST is the clearest fit if your priority is growth exposure and long-term compounding.
- Rev growth -8.5%, EPS growth -86.0%, 3Y rev CAGR -1.7%
- 331.4% 10Y total return vs TGNA's 62.3%
- -8.5% revenue growth vs TGNA's -12.6%
Best for: growth exposure and long-term compounding
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | NXST | -8.5% revenue growth vs TGNA's -12.6% |
| Value | TGNA | Lower P/E (6.4x vs 7.9x) |
| Quality / Margins | TGNA | 8.1% margin vs NXST's 3.2% |
| Stability / Safety | TGNA | Beta 0.47 vs NXST's 0.73, lower leverage |
| Dividends | NXST | 2.8% yield, vs TGNA's 2.5% |
| Momentum (1Y) | NXST | +29.4% vs TGNA's +23.2% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | TGNA | 3.1% ROA vs NXST's 1.9%, ROIC 5.8% vs 7.4% |
TGNA vs NXST — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2024
FY 2025
TGNA vs NXST — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLTGNALAGGINGNXST
NXSTNexstar Media Group, …
1leads
TGNATEGNA Inc.
3leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs NXSTMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
NXST4/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
TGNA4/6
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
TGNA5/8
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
Tied
—
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
TGNA2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
Tied
—
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
NXST leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
NXST is the larger business by revenue, generating $5.1B annually — 1.9x TGNA's $2.7B. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 8.1% (TGNA) to 3.2% (NXST). On growth, NXST holds the edge at +13.1% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | TGNATEGNA Inc. | NXSTNexstar Media Gro… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $2.7B | $5.1B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $540M | $2.0B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $219M | $165M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $283M | $708M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +36.2% | +32.3% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +16.3% | +17.8% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +8.1% | +3.2% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +10.4% | +13.8% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -18.9% | +13.1% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -69.4% | +51.0% |
NXST leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
TGNA leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 14.9x trailing earnings, TGNA trades at a 77% valuation discount to NXST's 64.8x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, NXST's 7.6x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than TGNA's 11.3x.
| Metric | TGNATEGNA Inc. | NXSTNexstar Media Gro… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $3.2B | $5.9B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $6.1B | $12.5B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 14.95x | 64.75x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 6.41x | 7.88x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 11.33x | 7.57x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 1.19x | 1.19x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.03x | 2.89x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 11.42x | 7.93x |
TGNA leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
TGNA leads this category, winning 5 of 8 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
NXST delivers a 10.0% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $10 in annual profit, vs $7 for TGNA. TGNA carries lower financial leverage with a 0.82x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to NXST's 3.33x.
| Metric | TGNATEGNA Inc. | NXSTNexstar Media Gro… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +7.0% | +10.0% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +3.1% | +1.9% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +5.8% | +7.4% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +6.7% | +8.2% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 5 | 5 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.82x | 3.33x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $2.9B | $6.6B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | -$291M | $280M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $2.6B | $6.9B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 2.69x | 1.81x |
TGNA leads this category, winning 5 of 8 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
Evenly matched — TGNA and NXST each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in NXST five years ago would be worth $15,010 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $11,141 for TGNA. Over the past 12 months, NXST leads with a +29.4% total return vs TGNA's +23.2%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors TGNA at 9.9% vs NXST's 8.9% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | TGNATEGNA Inc. | NXSTNexstar Media Gro… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +4.5% | -6.1% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +23.2% | +29.4% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +32.9% | +29.1% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +11.4% | +50.1% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +62.3% | +331.4% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +9.9% | +8.9% |
Evenly matched — TGNA and NXST each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
TGNA leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
TGNA is the less volatile stock with a 0.47 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than NXST's 0.73 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. TGNA currently trades 93.8% from its 52-week high vs NXST's 76.4% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | TGNATEGNA Inc. | NXSTNexstar Media Gro… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.47x | 0.73x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $21.35 | $254.30 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $14.87 | $154.64 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +93.8% | +76.4% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 40.1 | 43.2 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 2.9M | 402K |
TGNA leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — TGNA and NXST each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates TGNA as "Hold" and NXST as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 28.7% upside for NXST (target: $250) vs 9.8% for TGNA (target: $22). For income investors, NXST offers the higher dividend yield at 2.83% vs TGNA's 2.47%.
| Metric | TGNATEGNA Inc. | NXSTNexstar Media Gro… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $22.00 | $250.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 17 | 24 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +2.5% | +2.8% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 6 | 0 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.49 | $5.50 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +0.8% | +2.0% |
Evenly matched — TGNA and NXST each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
TGNA leads in 3 of 6 categories (Valuation Metrics, Profitability & Efficiency). NXST leads in 1 (Income & Cash Flow). 2 tied.
Best OverallTEGNA Inc. (TGNA)Leads 3 of 6 categories
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TGNA vs NXST: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is TGNA or NXST a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Nexstar Media Group, Inc.
(NXST) is the stronger pick with -8. 5% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -12. 6% for TEGNA Inc. (TGNA). TEGNA Inc. (TGNA) offers the better valuation at 14. 9x trailing P/E (6. 4x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Nexstar Media Group, Inc. (NXST) a "Buy" — based on 24 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 — TGNA or NXST?
On trailing P/E, TEGNA Inc.
(TGNA) is the cheapest at 14. 9x versus Nexstar Media Group, Inc. at 64. 8x. On forward P/E, TEGNA Inc. is actually cheaper at 6. 4x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — TGNA or NXST?
Over the past 5 years, Nexstar Media Group, Inc.
(NXST) delivered a total return of +50. 1%, compared to +11. 4% for TEGNA Inc. (TGNA). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: NXST returned +331. 4% versus TGNA's +62. 3%. 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 — TGNA or NXST?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), TEGNA Inc.
(TGNA) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 47β versus Nexstar Media Group, Inc. 's 0. 73β — meaning NXST is approximately 53% more volatile than TGNA relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, TEGNA Inc. (TGNA) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 82% versus 3% for Nexstar Media Group, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — TGNA or NXST?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Nexstar Media Group, Inc.
(NXST) is pulling ahead at -8. 5% versus -12. 6% for TEGNA Inc. (TGNA). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: TEGNA Inc. grew EPS -62. 0% year-over-year, compared to -86. 0% for Nexstar Media Group, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, NXST leads at -1. 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 — TGNA or NXST?
TEGNA Inc.
(TGNA) is the more profitable company, earning 8. 1% net margin versus 2. 2% for Nexstar Media Group, Inc. — meaning it keeps 8. 1% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: NXST leads at 17. 4% versus 16. 3% for TGNA. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — NXST leads at 39. 0%, 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 TGNA or NXST more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, TEGNA Inc.
(TGNA) trades at 6. 4x forward P/E versus 7. 9x for Nexstar Media Group, Inc. — 1. 5x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for NXST: 28. 7% to $250. 00.
08Which pays a better dividend — TGNA or NXST?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Nexstar Media Group, Inc. (NXST) offers the highest yield at 2. 8%, versus 2. 5% for TEGNA Inc. (TGNA).
09Is TGNA or NXST better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, TEGNA Inc.
(TGNA) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 47), 2. 5% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (TGNA: +62. 3%, NXST: +331. 4%), 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 TGNA and NXST?
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: TGNA is a small-cap deep-value stock; NXST is a small-cap quality compounder 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.
Find Stocks Like These
Explore pre-built screens for each stock's profile, or build a custom screen to find stocks that outperform both.
- Sector: Communication Services
- Market Cap > $100B
- Revenue Growth > 6%
- Gross Margin > 19%
Revenue Growth>
%
(TGNA: -18.9% · NXST: 13.1%)Net Margin>
%
(TGNA: 8.1% · NXST: 3.2%)P/E Ratio<
x
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