Upside case
Bull case
$92671+251177.4%
SKM would need investors to value it at roughly 32x earnings — about 32x more generous than today's 0x forward P/E. That requires meaningful multiple expansion on top of continued earnings growth.
Analysis OverviewHoldUpdated May 1, 2026
SK Telecom Co.,Ltd (SKM) Stock Analysis
Wall Street verdict, consensus price target, and analyst rating breakdown — everything needed to frame the risk/reward at today's price.
Analyst consensus
Hold
Covering
7
analysts
2 bullish · 1 bearish · 7 covering SKM
Strong Buy
0
Buy
2
Hold
4
Sell
1
Strong Sell
0
Consensus Target
—
— vs today
Scenario Range
$36958 – $92671
Model bear to bull value window
Coverage
7
Published analyst ratings
Valuation Context
0.0x
Forward P/E · Market cap $14.2B
SKM price targets
Three scenarios for where SKM stock could go
Current
~$37
Confidence
48 / 100
Updated
May 1, 2026
Where we are now
Current · $37
Bear
$36958
Base
$51547
Bull
$92671
Market caseClosest to today
Base case
$51547+139668.4%
At 18x on FY1 earnings, the base case reflects a reasonable but not stretched valuation. It prices in continued growth without assuming an exceptional setup.
Stress case
Bear case
$36958+100111.7%
The bear case assumes sentiment or fundamentals disappoint enough to push SKM down roughly 100112% from the current price.
Not financial advice. Model confidence reflects internal scenario assumptions, not a guarantee of returns. Past performance does not predict future results.
SK Telecom Co.,Ltd
SKM · NYSECommunication ServicesTelecommunications ServicesDecember year-end
SK Telecom is South Korea's largest wireless telecommunications carrier providing mobile, broadband, and media services. It generates revenue primarily from cellular services (~70% of revenue) including voice, data, and IoT solutions, supplemented by fixed-line broadband, IPTV, and e-commerce operations. The company's moat comes from its dominant market position in South Korea's concentrated telecom market and extensive 5G network infrastructure.
Market Cap
$14.2B
Revenue TTM
$17.84T
Net Income TTM
$1.01T
Net Margin
5.7%
SKM Revenue and Earnings Performance
Quarterly beat-or-miss track record against analyst estimates, plus forward revenue and EPS outlook for the next two fiscal years.
EPS Beat Rate
56%Exceptional
12 quarters tracked
Revenue Beat Rate
44%Exceptional
vs consensus estimates
Avg EPS Surprise
+40.1%
above Street consensus
Beat / Miss Record
BeatMissLeft = EPS · Right = Revenue
Q3 2025
Q4 2025
Q4 2025
Q1 2026
Last 4 Quarters
EPS beats: 1 of 4Q3 2025
EPS
$0.16/$0.30
Revenue
$3.2B/$2.9B
Q4 2025
EPS
$-0.77/$-0.21
Revenue
$3.2B/$3.1B
Q4 2025
EPS
$-0.29/—
Revenue
$2.8B/—
Q1 2026
EPS
$0.64/$0.10
Revenue
$2.9B/$3.0B
| Quarter | EPS (Actual / Est) | EPS Surprise | Revenue (Actual / Est) | Rev Surprise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q3 2025 | $0.16/$0.30 | -46.3% | $3.2B/$2.9B | +7.9% |
| Q4 2025 | $-0.77/$-0.21 | -268.8% | $3.2B/$3.1B | +3.7% |
| Q4 2025 | $-0.29/— | — | $2.8B/— | — |
| Q1 2026 | $0.64/$0.10 | +518.4% | $2.9B/$3.0B | -1.7% |
FY1–FY2 Estimates
Revenue Outlook
FY1
$18.22T
+2.1% YoY
FY2
$18.62T
+2.2% YoY
EPS Outlook
FY1
$2856.55
+8.2% YoY
FY2
$3072.53
+7.6% YoY
Trailing FCF (TTM)$3.07T
FCF Margin: 17.2%
Next Earnings
May 12, 2026
Expected EPS
$0.47
Expected Revenue
$3.0B
SKM beat EPS estimates in 1 of 4 tracked quarters. Mixed delivery makes the upcoming report a key data point for re-rating.
SKM Revenue Breakdown by Segment
Product and geographic revenue mix from the latest annual disclosure, with year-over-year growth by segment.
Latest disclosure
FY 2022
Total disclosed revenue $17.30T
Product Mix
Latest annual revenue by segment or product family
Segment breakdown not available for this company.
Geographic Mix
Latest annual revenue by reported region
Country of domicile
100.0%
+3.4% YoY
Tap, hover, or focus a slice to inspect segment detail.
Country of domicile is the largest reported region at 100.0%, up 3.4% YoY.
SKM Valuation Snapshot
Current multiples compared to the S&P 500, the company's sector, and its own five-year average.
Relative Value Signal
Significantly Undervalued
Fair value est. $31598 — implies +85301.2% from today's price.
Upside to Fair Value
85301.2%
potential upside
Deep DiscountFair ValueVery Expensive
vs S&P 500 Trailing P/E
SKM
16.8x
vs
S&P 500
25.2x
34% discount
vs Communication Services Trailing P/E
SKM
16.8x
vs
Communication Services
15.5x
+8% premium
vs SKM 5Y Avg P/E
Today
16.8x
vs
5Y Average
0.0x
+181853% premium
Forward PE
0.0x
S&P 500
19.1x
-100%
Communication Services
13.1x
-100%
5Y Avg
—
—
Trailing PE
16.8x
S&P 500
25.2x
-34%
Communication Services
15.5x
+8%
5Y Avg
0.0x
+181853%
PEG Ratio
2.21x
S&P 500
1.75x
+26%
Communication Services
0.66x
+234%
5Y Avg
—
—
EV/EBITDA
5.4x
S&P 500
15.3x
-64%
Communication Services
8.7x
-38%
5Y Avg
1.8x
+209%
Price/FCF
8.1x
S&P 500
21.3x
-62%
Communication Services
11.6x
-30%
5Y Avg
0.0x
+183910%
Price/Sales
1.1x
S&P 500
3.1x
-63%
Communication Services
1.0x
+9%
5Y Avg
0.0x
+218757%
Dividend Yield
3.95%
S&P 500
1.88%
+110%
Communication Services
3.38%
+17%
5Y Avg
—
—
| Metric | SKM | S&P 500 | Communication Services | 5Y Avg SKM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forward PE | 0.0x | 19.1x-100% | 13.1x-100% | — |
| Trailing PE | 16.8x | 25.2x-34% | 15.5x | 0.0x+181853% |
| PEG Ratio | 2.21x | 1.75x+26% | 0.66x+234% | — |
| EV/EBITDA | 5.4x | 15.3x-64% | 8.7x-38% | 1.8x+209% |
| Price/FCF | 8.1x | 21.3x-62% | 11.6x-30% | 0.0x+183910% |
| Price/Sales | 1.1x | 3.1x-63% | 1.0x | 0.0x+218757% |
| Dividend Yield | 3.95% | 1.88% | 3.38% | — |
SKM trades above S&P 500 benchmarks on 1 of 6 measured multiples — appears modestly priced relative to the S&P 500 on most measures.
Forward P/E and PEG reflect analyst consensus estimates. Historical averages use trailing ratios where forward data is unavailable.S&P 500 and sector benchmarks both use trailing median P/E — similar readings indicate the broader index and sector are priced alike.
Open valuation toolSKM Financial Health
Verdict
Adequate
SKM earns 8.7% operating margin on regulated earnings, 3.9% dividend yield. Utilities carry higher leverage than industrials as a structural feature of the business model.
Regulated Operations
Revenue, regulated margins, and earnings
Revenue (TTM)
Trailing-twelve-month sales base
$17.84T
Revenue Growth
TTM vs prior year
+0.1%
Operating Margin
Operating income divided by revenue
8.7%
Net Margin
Net income divided by revenue
5.7%
EPS (TTM)
Diluted earnings per share, trailing twelve months
$2640.60
Operating Margin
Operating income over revenue — primary regulated earnings signal
8.7%
Capital Quality
ROIC, leverage, and debt serviceability
ROIC
Return on invested capital — primary competitive quality signal
6.0%
ROA
Return on assets, trailing twelve months
3.5%
Cash & Equivalents
Liquid assets on the balance sheet
$2.02T
Net Debt
Total debt minus cash
$8.74T
Debt Serviceability
Net debt as a multiple of annual free cash flow
2.9× FCF
Regulated utilities typically operate at 3–5× net debt/FCF — this is structural, not a risk flag.
ROE
Return on equity, trailing twelve months
8.5%
Shareholder Returns
How capital is returned to owners
Total shareholder yield
4.0%
Dividend
3.9%
Buyback
0.1%
Share Repurchases
Trailing buyback outflow — dollar magnitude of capital returned
$15.8B
Dividend / Share
Annualized trailing dividend per share
$2118.12
Payout Ratio
Share of earnings distributed as dividends
65.9%
Shares Outstanding
Declining as buybacks retire shares
389M
All figures from the trailing twelve months. Utilities operate with structural leverage (3–5× net debt/FCF) due to regulated, predictable cash flows.
Open full ratios pageSKM Stock Risk Factors
Key factors that could pressure the stock price, compress the multiple, or weigh on future results.
AI analysis · updated April 29, 2026
High Risk
Finance & Corporate
SK Telecom faces significant risks related to its major shareholder, SK Inc., potentially being classified as a foreign entity. This could lead to exceeding foreign shareholding limits, resulting in corrective orders from the Ministry of Science and ICT, prohibition of voting rights for excess shares, and a possible change in control of the company.
High Risk
Cybersecurity and Data Breaches
In April 2025, SK Telecom suffered a cyberattack that resulted in a substantial penalty from the Personal Information Protection Commission due to data leakage. The incident forced the company to waive half of its subscribers' August bills as a goodwill gesture, highlighting vulnerabilities in the Korean telecom industry.
Medium
Tech & Innovation
The high penetration rate of wireless services in Korea poses a risk to subscriber growth for SK Telecom. Additionally, the company faces significant capital expenditures for new wireless technologies, which may not be recouped, impacting financial performance.
Medium
Legal & Regulatory
Ongoing regulatory compliance and potential changes in telecommunications regulations represent a notable risk for SK Telecom. This category accounts for 19% of the identified risks, which could affect operational flexibility and financial stability.
Medium
Market Competition
Intense competition in the Korean mobile market continues to pose risks to profitability, despite a recent shift towards less intense competition following cyberattacks. The competitive landscape remains dynamic, and any resurgence in aggressive pricing strategies could further pressure margins.
Lower
Subscriber Loss
Following the data breaches, SK Telecom may have experienced a significant loss of handset subscribers. This decline could adversely affect revenue and market share, although the exact figures are not specified.
Lower
Macro & Political
Geopolitical tensions and oil price fluctuations have recently impacted SK Telecom's stock performance. These macroeconomic factors, while currently less severe, could influence investor sentiment and operational conditions.
These are risk mechanisms, not predictions. The key question is which would force a cut to earnings estimates or a lower multiple than the market currently prices in.
Why SKM Stock Could Outperform
Structural drivers behind the upside case and why the stock could outperform over the next 12 months.
AI analysis · updated April 29, 2026
AI Leadership and Investment
SK Telecom is actively building AI infrastructure and has a first-mover advantage in agentic AI. Its $100 million investment in Anthropic, made in August 2023, is now valued at approximately $2 billion, with Anthropic anticipating an IPO in 2026.
Strong Cash Flow
Despite the earnings hit in 2025, SK Telecom generated substantial cash from operations, which is crucial for funding its ambitious AI plans.
Attractive Valuation and Re-rating Potential
SKM is trading at a lower EV/EBITDA multiple compared to its Asian telecom peers, suggesting potential for a re-rating as it monetizes its AI investments. Analysts view its Price-to-Earnings (P/E) ratio as more attractive compared to US peers.
Dividend Potential
The company has expressed a commitment to returning to previous dividend payout levels in 2026, which could appeal to value investors.
Institutional Interest
Several institutional investors have recently increased their stakes in SKM, signaling confidence in the company's future prospects.
Strategic Evolution
SK Telecom has restructured to focus on its core telecommunications and AI businesses, streamlining its value proposition.
A real bull case compounds — each driver matters most when it strengthens margins, supports capital returns, and keeps the company above the market's minimum growth bar simultaneously.
SKM Stock Price Performance
52-week range context and price returns across multiple time horizons. Dividend contribution is shown separately in the Capital Return section.
Current Price
$36.88
52W Range Position
83%
52-Week Range
Current price plotted between the 52-week low and high.
52-Week Low
$19.66
+87.6% from the low
52-Week High
$40.46
-8.8% from the high
1 Month
+22.04%
3 Month
+29.77%
YTD
+79.5%
1 Year
+69.3%
3Y CAGR
+21.5%
5Y CAGR
+4.0%
10Y CAGR
+6.4%
Range context matters because valuation compression and earnings misses rarely hit from the same starting point. A stock already far below its high can still fall, but it is no longer carrying the same embedded optimism as one pressing a fresh peak.
SKM vs Peers
Valuation, growth, and margin comparison against the closest publicly traded peers for this company.
Peer Set
Accurate peer set
Forward PE
0.0x
vs 1.2x median
-99% below peer median
Revenue Growth
+2.1%
vs +5.3% median
-60% below peer median
Net Margin
5.7%
vs 13.6% median
-58% below peer median
| Company | Mkt Cap | Fwd PE | Rev Grw | Margin | Rating | Upside |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SKM SKM SK Telecom Co.,Ltd | $14.2B | 0.0x | +2.1% | 5.7% | Hold | — |
KT KT KT Corporation | $10.2B | 0.0x | +5.3% | 6.1% | Buy | — |
VIV VIV Telefônica Brasil S.A. | $25.5B | 2.9x | +6.7% | 10.4% | Hold | +3.6% |
CHA CHA Chagee Holdings Limited American Depositary Shares | $1.3B | 1.2x | +43.2% | 13.6% | Buy | +27.7% |
PHI PHI PLDT Inc. | $4.4B | 0.1x | +3.6% | 13.7% | Hold | — |
T T AT&T Inc. | $178.4B | 11.1x | +1.4% | 16.9% | Hold | +15.1% |
This peer comparison reflects companies with similar business models, product lines, or market positioning, supplemented by industry grouping when direct matches are limited.
SKM Dividend and Capital Return
SKM returns 4.0% total yield, led by a 3.95% dividend.
Dividend WatchFCF Well Covered
Total Shareholder Yield
4.0%
Dividend + buyback return per year
Buyback Yield
0.1%
Dividend Yield
3.95%
Payout Ratio
65.9%
How SKM Splits Its Return
Div 3.95%
Dividend 3.95%Buybacks 0.1%
Dividend Profile
Yield, cadence, and growth quality
Dividend / Share
Trailing annualized cash dividend
$2118.12
Growth Streak
Consecutive years of dividend increases
1Y
3Y Div CAGR
-8.6%
5Y Div CAGR
1.7%
Ex-Dividend Date
—
Payment Cadence
Semi-Annual
2 payments over the last 12 months
Buyback Engine
How much per-share support comes from repurchases
Repurchases (TTM)
Cash used for buybacks in the latest trailing period
$15.8B
Estimated Shares Retired
428M
Approx. Share Reduction
110.0%
Shares Outstanding
Current diluted share count from the screening snapshot
389M
At 110.0%/year, buybacks mechanically lift EPS even with flat earnings — each remaining share represents a slightly larger piece of the company.
| Year | Div / Share | YoY Grw | BB Yield | Total Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1.07 | +6.9% | — | — |
| 2024 | $1.00 | -31.7% | 100.0% | 100.0% |
| 2023 | $1.47 | +4.7% | 100.0% | 100.0% |
| 2022 | $1.40 | -92.9% | 0.0% | 100.0% |
| 2021 | $19.73 | +1899.4% | 100.0% | 100.0% |
FAQ
6 questionsSKM Investor Questions
Common questions answered from live analyst data and company financials.
01Is SK Telecom Co.,Ltd (SKM) stock a buy or sell in 2026?
SK Telecom Co.,Ltd (SKM) is rated Hold by Wall Street analysts as of 2026. Of 7 analysts covering the stock, 2 rate it Buy or Strong Buy, 4 rate it Hold, and 1 rate it Sell or Strong Sell. The bear case scenario is $36958 and the bull case is $92671.
02Is SK Telecom Co.,Ltd (SKM) stock overvalued in 2026?
SKM trades at 0.0x times forward earnings. The stock currently trades at a discount to the broader market. Based on current multiples versus the peer group, the relative model signals significantly undervalued. Whether the stock is over or undervalued ultimately depends on whether consensus earnings estimates are achievable.
03What are the main risks for SK Telecom Co.,Ltd (SKM) stock in 2026?
The primary risks for SKM in 2026 are: (1) Finance & Corporate — SK Telecom faces significant risks related to its major shareholder, SK Inc. (2) Cybersecurity and Data Breaches — In April 2025, SK Telecom suffered a cyberattack that resulted in a substantial penalty from the Personal Information Protection Commission due to data leakage. (3) Tech & Innovation — The high penetration rate of wireless services in Korea poses a risk to subscriber growth for SK Telecom. Each factor has the potential to pressure earnings or compress the stock's valuation multiple.
04What is SK Telecom Co.,Ltd's revenue and earnings forecast?
Analyst consensus estimates SKM will report consensus revenue of $18.22T (+2.1% year-over-year) and EPS of $2856.55 (+8.2% year-over-year) for the upcoming fiscal year. The following year, analysts project $18.62T in revenue.
05When does SK Telecom Co.,Ltd (SKM) report its next earnings?
SK Telecom Co.,Ltd is expected to report its next earnings on approximately 2026-05-12. Consensus expects EPS of $0.47 and revenue of $3.0B. Over recent quarters, SKM has beaten EPS estimates 56% of the time.
06How much free cash flow does SK Telecom Co.,Ltd generate?
SK Telecom Co.,Ltd (SKM) generated $3.07T in free cash flow over the trailing twelve months — a free cash flow margin of 17.2%. SKM returns capital to shareholders through dividends (3.9% yield) and share repurchases ($15.8B TTM).