Telecommunications Services
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TMUS vs CABO
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Telecommunications Services
TMUS vs CABO — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Telecommunications Services | Telecommunications Services |
| Market Cap | $210.32B | $359M |
| Revenue (TTM) | $90.53B | $1.47B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $10.54B | $-260M |
| Gross Margin | 54.3% | 39.0% |
| Operating Margin | 20.4% | 26.0% |
| Forward P/E | 18.5x | 2.7x |
| Total Debt | $122.27B | $3.19B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $5.60B | $153M |
TMUS vs CABO — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| T-Mobile US, Inc. (TMUS) | 100 | 194.3 | +94.3% |
| Cable One, Inc. (CABO) | 100 | 3.4 | -96.6% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: TMUS vs CABO
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
TMUS carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for growth exposure and long-term compounding.
- Rev growth 8.5%, EPS growth 0.6%, 3Y rev CAGR 3.5%
- 415.9% 10Y total return vs CABO's -69.1%
- Lower volatility, beta -0.28, current ratio 1.00x
CABO is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability.
- Dividend streak 0 yrs, beta 0.42, yield 4.8%
- Lower P/E (2.7x vs 18.5x)
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 8.5% revenue growth vs CABO's -4.9% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (2.7x vs 18.5x) | |
| Quality / Margins | 11.6% margin vs CABO's -17.7% | |
| Stability / Safety | Lower D/E ratio (206.5% vs 222.8%) | |
| Dividends | 1.9% yield, 3-year raise streak, vs CABO's 4.8% | |
| Momentum (1Y) | -20.2% vs CABO's -63.9% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 4.9% ROA vs CABO's -4.6%, ROIC 8.1% vs 6.1% |
TMUS vs CABO — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
TMUS 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)
TMUS leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
TMUS is the larger business by revenue, generating $90.5B annually — 61.4x CABO's $1.5B. TMUS is the more profitable business, keeping 11.6% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to CABO's -17.7%. On growth, TMUS holds the edge at +10.6% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $90.5B | $1.5B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $29.9B | $730M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $10.5B | -$260M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $10.7B | -$167M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +54.3% | +39.0% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +20.4% | +26.0% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +11.6% | -17.7% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +11.8% | -11.3% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +10.6% | -7.3% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -12.0% | +12.3% |
Valuation Metrics
CABO leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
On an enterprise value basis, CABO's 4.6x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than TMUS's 10.1x.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $210.3B | $359M |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $327.0B | $3.4B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 19.99x | -1.00x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 18.46x | 2.74x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | 0.67x | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 10.14x | 4.62x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 2.38x | 0.24x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 3.71x | 0.25x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 20.33x | 1.29x |
Profitability & Efficiency
TMUS leads this category, winning 7 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
TMUS delivers a 17.8% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $18 in annual profit, vs $-18 for CABO. TMUS carries lower financial leverage with a 2.07x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to CABO's 2.23x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), TMUS scores 6/9 vs CABO's 3/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +17.8% | -18.3% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +4.9% | -4.6% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +8.1% | +6.1% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +9.8% | +7.1% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 6 | 3 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 2.07x | 2.23x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $116.7B | $3.0B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $5.6B | $153M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $122.3B | $3.2B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 5.33x | 3.06x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
TMUS leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in TMUS five years ago would be worth $15,098 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $641 for CABO. Over the past 12 months, TMUS leads with a -20.2% total return vs CABO's -63.9%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors TMUS at 12.2% vs CABO's -50.1% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -2.1% | -39.2% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -20.2% | -63.9% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +41.1% | -87.5% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +51.0% | -93.6% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +415.9% | -69.1% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +12.2% | -50.1% |
Risk & Volatility
TMUS leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
TMUS is the less volatile stock with a -0.28 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than CABO's 0.42 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. TMUS currently trades 74.3% from its 52-week high vs CABO's 33.7% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | -0.28x | 0.42x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $261.56 | $187.90 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $181.36 | $61.28 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +74.3% | +33.7% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 46.9 | 26.5 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 5.7M | 149K |
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — TMUS and CABO each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates TMUS as "Buy" and CABO as "Hold". Consensus price targets imply 30.7% upside for TMUS (target: $254) vs 26.4% for CABO (target: $80). For income investors, CABO offers the higher dividend yield at 4.83% vs TMUS's 1.87%.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $254.08 | $80.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 54 | 14 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +1.9% | +4.8% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 3 | 0 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $3.64 | $3.06 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +4.7% | 0.0% |
TMUS leads in 4 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). CABO leads in 1 (Valuation Metrics). 1 tied.
TMUS vs CABO: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is TMUS or CABO 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 -4. 9% for Cable One, Inc. (CABO). T-Mobile US, Inc. (TMUS) offers the better valuation at 20. 0x trailing P/E (18. 5x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate T-Mobile US, Inc. (TMUS) a "Buy" — based on 54 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 — TMUS or CABO?
On forward P/E, Cable One, Inc.
is actually cheaper at 2. 7x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.
03Which is the better long-term investment — TMUS or CABO?
Over the past 5 years, T-Mobile US, Inc.
(TMUS) delivered a total return of +51. 0%, compared to -93. 6% for Cable One, Inc. (CABO). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: TMUS returned +415. 9% versus CABO's -69. 1%. 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 — TMUS or CABO?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), T-Mobile US, Inc.
(TMUS) is the lower-risk stock at -0. 28β versus Cable One, Inc. 's 0. 42β — meaning CABO is approximately -249% more volatile than TMUS relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, T-Mobile US, Inc. (TMUS) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 2% versus 2% for Cable One, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — TMUS or CABO?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), T-Mobile US, Inc.
(TMUS) is pulling ahead at 8. 5% versus -4. 9% for Cable One, Inc. (CABO). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: T-Mobile US, Inc. grew EPS 0. 6% year-over-year, compared to -25. 5% for Cable One, 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 — TMUS or CABO?
T-Mobile US, Inc.
(TMUS) is the more profitable company, earning 12. 4% net margin versus -23. 7% for Cable One, Inc. — meaning it keeps 12. 4% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: CABO leads at 26. 5% versus 21. 2% for TMUS. 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.
07Is TMUS or CABO more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Cable One, Inc.
(CABO) trades at 2. 7x forward P/E versus 18. 5x for T-Mobile US, Inc. — 15. 7x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for TMUS: 30. 7% to $254. 08.
08Which pays a better dividend — TMUS or CABO?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Cable One, Inc. (CABO) offers the highest yield at 4. 8%, versus 1. 9% for T-Mobile US, Inc. (TMUS).
09Is TMUS or CABO 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. 28), 1. 9% yield, +415. 9% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (TMUS: +415. 9%, CABO: -69. 1%), 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 TMUS 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: TMUS is a large-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 > 23%
- Dividend Yield > 1.9%
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