Advertising Agencies
Compare Stocks
2 / 10Stock Comparison
TSQ vs GTN
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Broadcasting
TSQ vs GTN — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Advertising Agencies | Broadcasting |
| Market Cap | $107M | $412M |
| Revenue (TTM) | $427M | $3.08B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-12M | $-76M |
| Gross Margin | 23.3% | 115.0% |
| Operating Margin | 10.3% | 12.4% |
| Forward P/E | 13.8x | 1.8x |
| Total Debt | $62M | $5.81B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $5M | $368M |
TSQ vs GTN — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Townsquare Media, I… (TSQ) | 100 | 147.7 | +47.7% |
| Gray Media, Inc. (GTN) | 100 | 31.8 | -68.2% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: TSQ vs GTN
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
TSQ is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 3 yrs, beta 1.15, yield 12.4%
- Rev growth -5.2%, EPS growth 12.3%, 3Y rev CAGR -2.6%
- -4.9% 10Y total return vs GTN's -50.5%
GTN carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for value and quality.
- Lower P/E (1.8x vs 13.8x)
- -2.5% margin vs TSQ's -2.7%
- +27.7% vs TSQ's +8.2%
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | -5.2% revenue growth vs GTN's -15.1% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (1.8x vs 13.8x) | |
| Quality / Margins | -2.5% margin vs TSQ's -2.7% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 1.15 vs GTN's 1.54 | |
| Dividends | 12.4% yield, 3-year raise streak, vs GTN's 7.7% | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +27.7% vs TSQ's +8.2% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | -0.7% ROA vs TSQ's -2.1%, ROIC 3.5% vs 17.7% |
TSQ vs GTN — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
TSQ vs GTN — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
GTN leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
GTN is the larger business by revenue, generating $3.1B annually — 7.2x TSQ's $427M. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from -2.5% (GTN) to -2.7% (TSQ). On growth, GTN holds the edge at -1.8% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $427M | $3.1B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $64M | $932M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$12M | -$76M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $11M | -$74M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +23.3% | +115.0% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +10.3% | +12.4% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -2.7% | -2.5% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +2.5% | -2.4% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -9.6% | -1.8% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -122.5% | +98.5% |
Valuation Metrics
GTN leads this category, winning 3 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
On an enterprise value basis, TSQ's 2.2x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than GTN's 9.3x.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $107M | $412M |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $164M | $5.9B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -9.30x | -5.03x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 13.75x | 1.81x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 2.16x | 9.31x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 0.25x | 0.13x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | — | 0.15x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 6.94x | 2.27x |
Profitability & Efficiency
TSQ leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | — | -2.9% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -2.1% | -0.7% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +17.7% | +3.5% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +11.8% | +3.9% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 4 | 4 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | — | 2.07x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $57M | $5.4B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $5M | $368M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $62M | $5.8B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 0.93x | 1.12x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
TSQ leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in TSQ five years ago would be worth $8,831 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $2,729 for GTN. Over the past 12 months, GTN leads with a +27.7% total return vs TSQ's +8.2%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors TSQ at -3.3% vs GTN's -9.6% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +37.8% | -6.0% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +8.2% | +27.7% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -9.6% | -26.1% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -11.7% | -72.7% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -4.9% | -50.5% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -3.3% | -9.6% |
Risk & Volatility
TSQ leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
TSQ is the less volatile stock with a 1.15 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than GTN's 1.54 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.15x | 1.54x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $9.31 | $6.43 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $4.30 | $3.50 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +70.9% | +68.9% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 52.3 | 52.8 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 151K | 1.3M |
Analyst Outlook
TSQ leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates TSQ as "Buy" and GTN as "Buy". For income investors, TSQ offers the higher dividend yield at 12.36% vs GTN's 7.68%.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | — | $8.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 7 | 9 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +12.4% | +7.7% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 3 | 3 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.82 | $0.34 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | 0.0% |
TSQ leads in 4 of 6 categories (Profitability & Efficiency, Total Returns). GTN leads in 2 (Income & Cash Flow, Valuation Metrics).
TSQ vs GTN: Frequently Asked Questions
9 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is TSQ or GTN a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Townsquare Media, Inc.
(TSQ) is the stronger pick with -5. 2% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -15. 1% for Gray Media, Inc. (GTN). Analysts rate Townsquare Media, Inc. (TSQ) a "Buy" — based on 7 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 — TSQ or GTN?
Over the past 5 years, Townsquare Media, Inc.
(TSQ) delivered a total return of -11. 7%, compared to -72. 7% for Gray Media, Inc. (GTN). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: TSQ returned -4. 9% versus GTN's -50. 5%. 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 — TSQ or GTN?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Townsquare Media, Inc.
(TSQ) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 15β versus Gray Media, Inc. 's 1. 54β — meaning GTN is approximately 34% more volatile than TSQ relative to the S&P 500.
04Which is growing faster — TSQ or GTN?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Townsquare Media, Inc.
(TSQ) is pulling ahead at -5. 2% versus -15. 1% for Gray Media, Inc. (GTN). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Townsquare Media, Inc. grew EPS 12. 3% year-over-year, compared to -126. 2% for Gray Media, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, TSQ leads at -2. 6% 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 — TSQ or GTN?
Townsquare Media, Inc.
(TSQ) is the more profitable company, earning -2. 7% net margin versus -2. 7% for Gray Media, Inc. — meaning it keeps -2. 7% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: TSQ leads at 13. 1% versus 12. 7% for GTN. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — GTN leads at 96. 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.
06Is TSQ or GTN more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Gray Media, Inc.
(GTN) trades at 1. 8x forward P/E versus 13. 8x for Townsquare Media, Inc. — 11. 9x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis.
07Which pays a better dividend — TSQ or GTN?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Townsquare Media, Inc. (TSQ) offers the highest yield at 12. 4%, versus 7. 7% for Gray Media, Inc. (GTN).
08Is TSQ or GTN better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Townsquare Media, Inc.
(TSQ) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 1. 15), 12. 4% yield). Gray Media, Inc. (GTN) carries a higher beta of 1. 54 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (TSQ: -4. 9%, GTN: -50. 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.
09What are the main differences between TSQ and GTN?
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.
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
- Gross Margin > 13%
- Dividend Yield > 4.9%
- Sector: Communication Services
- Market Cap > $100B
- Gross Margin > 68%
- Dividend Yield > 3.0%
You Might Also Compare
Based on how these companies actually compete and overlap — not just which sector they're filed under.