Telecommunications Services
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TMUS vs CHTR
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Telecommunications Services
TMUS vs CHTR — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Telecommunications Services | Telecommunications Services |
| Market Cap | $210.32B | $20.04B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $90.53B | $54.64B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $10.54B | $5.13B |
| Gross Margin | 54.3% | 43.3% |
| Operating Margin | 20.4% | 24.1% |
| Forward P/E | 18.5x | 3.8x |
| Total Debt | $122.27B | $97.12B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $5.60B | $477M |
TMUS vs CHTR — 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% |
| Charter Communicati… (CHTR) | 100 | 29.1 | -70.9% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: TMUS vs CHTR
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 CHTR's -25.4%
- Lower volatility, beta -0.28, current ratio 1.00x
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 18.5x), PEG 0.20 vs 0.62
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 18.5x), PEG 0.20 vs 0.62 | |
| Quality / Margins | 11.6% margin vs CHTR's 9.4% | |
| Stability / Safety | Lower D/E ratio (206.5% vs 473.3%) | |
| Dividends | 1.9% yield; 3-year raise streak; the other pay no meaningful dividend | |
| Momentum (1Y) | -20.2% vs CHTR's -59.9% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 4.9% ROA vs CHTR's 3.3%, ROIC 8.1% vs 8.6% |
TMUS vs CHTR — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
TMUS vs CHTR — 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 — 1.7x CHTR's $54.6B. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 11.6% (TMUS) to 9.4% (CHTR). On growth, TMUS holds the edge at +10.6% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $90.5B | $54.6B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $29.9B | $20.9B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $10.5B | $5.1B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $10.7B | $4.0B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +54.3% | +43.3% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +20.4% | +24.1% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +11.6% | +9.4% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +11.8% | +7.4% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +10.6% | -1.0% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -12.0% | +8.9% |
Valuation Metrics
CHTR leads this category, winning 7 of 7 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 4.4x trailing earnings, CHTR trades at a 78% valuation discount to TMUS's 20.0x 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 | $210.3B | $20.0B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $327.0B | $116.7B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 19.99x | 4.37x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 18.46x | 3.75x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | 0.67x | 0.23x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 10.14x | 5.30x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 2.38x | 0.37x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 3.71x | 1.06x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 20.33x | 4.54x |
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 $18 for TMUS. TMUS carries lower financial leverage with a 2.07x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to CHTR's 4.73x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), CHTR scores 7/9 vs TMUS's 6/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +17.8% | +25.2% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +4.9% | +3.3% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +8.1% | +8.6% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +9.8% | +9.6% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 6 | 7 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 2.07x | 4.73x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $116.7B | $96.6B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $5.6B | $477M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $122.3B | $97.1B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 5.33x | 2.48x |
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 $2,349 for CHTR. Over the past 12 months, TMUS leads with a -20.2% total return vs CHTR's -59.9%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors TMUS at 12.2% vs CHTR's -23.3% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -2.1% | -24.4% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -20.2% | -59.9% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +41.1% | -54.9% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +51.0% | -76.5% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +415.9% | -25.4% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +12.2% | -23.3% |
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 CHTR's 0.33 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 CHTR's 36.2% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | -0.28x | 0.33x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $261.56 | $437.06 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $181.36 | $157.26 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +74.3% | +36.2% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 46.9 | 30.7 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 5.7M | 2.2M |
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates TMUS as "Buy" and CHTR as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 75.3% upside for CHTR (target: $277) vs 30.7% for TMUS (target: $254). TMUS is the only dividend payer here at 1.87% yield — a key consideration for income-focused portfolios.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $254.08 | $277.40 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 54 | 55 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +1.9% | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 3 | — |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $3.64 | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +4.7% | +25.6% |
TMUS leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Total Returns). CHTR leads in 2 (Valuation Metrics, Profitability & Efficiency).
TMUS vs CHTR: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is TMUS or CHTR 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. 4x trailing P/E (3. 8x 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 CHTR?
On trailing P/E, Charter Communications, Inc.
(CHTR) is the cheapest at 4. 4x versus T-Mobile US, Inc. at 20. 0x. 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 — TMUS or CHTR?
Over the past 5 years, T-Mobile US, Inc.
(TMUS) delivered a total return of +51. 0%, compared to -76. 5% for Charter Communications, Inc. (CHTR). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: TMUS returned +415. 9% versus CHTR's -25. 4%. 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 CHTR?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), T-Mobile US, Inc.
(TMUS) is the lower-risk stock at -0. 28β versus Charter Communications, Inc. 's 0. 33β — meaning CHTR is approximately -218% 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 5% for Charter Communications, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — TMUS or CHTR?
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: Charter Communications, Inc. grew EPS 3. 5% year-over-year, compared to 0. 6% for T-Mobile US, 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 CHTR?
T-Mobile US, Inc.
(TMUS) is the more profitable company, earning 12. 4% net margin versus 9. 1% for Charter Communications, Inc. — meaning it keeps 12. 4% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: CHTR leads at 24. 3% versus 21. 2% for TMUS. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — TMUS leads at 47. 6%, 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 CHTR 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. 5x for T-Mobile US, Inc. — 14. 7x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for CHTR: 75. 3% to $277. 40.
08Which pays a better dividend — TMUS or CHTR?
In this comparison, TMUS (1.
9% yield) pays a dividend. CHTR does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
09Is TMUS or CHTR 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%, CHTR: -25. 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 TMUS and CHTR?
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; CHTR is a mid-cap deep-value stock. TMUS pays 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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