Latest Ratios: P/E Ratio -55.6x · EV/EBITDA 17.6x · ROE -0.1%. (1996–2025 historical series)
Price-based multiples — how expensive the stock is relative to earnings, sales, book value, and cash flow
| Metric | TTM | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | FY 2022 | FY 2021 | FY 2020 | FY 2019 | FY 2018 | FY 2017 | FY 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market Cap | $3.9B | $4.7B | $3.9B | $2.1B | $1.2B | $2.3B | $2.1B | $2.9B | $3.7B | $3.1B | $3.2B |
| Enterprise Value | $5.1B | $5.9B | $8.6B | $7.0B | $5.6B | $6.0B | $5.2B | $5.9B | $5.2B | $5.0B | $4.7B |
| P/E Ratio → | -55.59 | — | — | — | — | 20.15 | 9.62 | 24.69 | 27.58 | 20.29 | 74.03 |
| P/S Ratio | 3.18 | 3.84 | 0.78 | 0.40 | 0.22 | 0.44 | 0.41 | 0.57 | 0.73 | 0.62 | 0.63 |
| P/B Ratio | 0.80 | 0.90 | 0.66 | 0.35 | 0.18 | 0.35 | 0.38 | 0.54 | 0.70 | 0.64 | 0.67 |
| P/FCF | 1.43 | 1.73 | 16.14 | — | — | — | 13.02 | 50.00 | 15.39 | 34.22 | 21.95 |
| P/OCF | 6.61 | 8.01 | 3.40 | 1.82 | 1.04 | 2.12 | 1.39 | 2.90 | 3.65 | 4.01 | 4.10 |
P/E links to full P/E history page with 30-year chart
Enterprise-value multiples — capital-structure-neutral measures of total business value
| Metric | TTM | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | FY 2022 | FY 2021 | FY 2020 | FY 2019 | FY 2018 | FY 2017 | FY 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EV / Revenue | — | 4.81 | 1.74 | 1.35 | 1.04 | 1.13 | 1.00 | 1.13 | 1.02 | 0.98 | 0.93 |
| EV / EBITDA | 17.55 | 20.39 | 8.58 | 13.93 | 5.37 | 5.19 | 4.46 | 5.27 | 4.80 | 6.70 | 5.22 |
| EV / EBIT | — | 29.31 | 33.31 | — | 37.35 | 21.07 | 18.52 | 30.83 | 26.67 | 103.16 | 41.66 |
| EV / FCF | — | 2.16 | 35.79 | — | — | — | 31.74 | 99.29 | 21.69 | 54.41 | 32.53 |
Margins and return-on-capital ratios measuring operating efficiency
Full margin charts and quarterly trend are on the Earnings History page
| Metric | TTM | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | FY 2022 | FY 2021 | FY 2020 | FY 2019 | FY 2018 | FY 2017 | FY 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Margin | -5.0% | -5.0% | 57.0% | 54.8% | 52.6% | 53.6% | 54.9% | 54.8% | 54.3% | 53.2% | 52.4% |
| Operating Margin | -5.0% | -5.0% | 1.3% | -8.0% | 2.3% | 4.9% | 5.0% | 3.5% | 4.0% | -2.1% | 1.2% |
| Net Profit Margin | -0.5% | -0.5% | -0.6% | -9.7% | 1.1% | 2.9% | 4.3% | 2.3% | 2.6% | 3.0% | 0.8% |
| Metric | TTM | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | FY 2022 | FY 2021 | FY 2020 | FY 2019 | FY 2018 | FY 2017 | FY 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROE | -0.1% | -0.1% | -0.5% | -7.9% | 0.9% | 2.5% | 4.1% | 2.3% | 2.6% | 3.2% | 0.9% |
| ROA | -0.1% | -0.1% | -0.2% | -3.5% | 0.4% | 1.2% | 1.9% | 1.2% | 1.4% | 1.6% | 0.5% |
| ROIC | -0.5% | -0.5% | 0.4% | -2.8% | 0.9% | 2.1% | 2.3% | 1.8% | 2.3% | -1.2% | 0.7% |
| ROCE | -0.6% | -0.6% | 0.5% | -3.2% | 1.0% | 2.2% | 2.4% | 1.9% | 2.4% | -1.2% | 0.7% |
Solvency and debt-coverage ratios — lower is generally safer
| Metric | TTM | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | FY 2022 | FY 2021 | FY 2020 | FY 2019 | FY 2018 | FY 2017 | FY 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Debt / Equity | 0.37 | 0.37 | 0.87 | 0.86 | 0.73 | 0.60 | 0.80 | 0.62 | 0.46 | 0.50 | 0.51 |
| Debt / EBITDA | 6.74 | 6.74 | 5.07 | 10.27 | 4.57 | 3.49 | 3.85 | 3.04 | 2.24 | 3.32 | 2.69 |
| Net Debt / Equity | — | 0.23 | 0.81 | 0.82 | 0.67 | 0.54 | 0.55 | 0.54 | 0.29 | 0.38 | 0.33 |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | 4.10 | 4.10 | 4.71 | 9.79 | 4.23 | 3.17 | 2.63 | 2.62 | 1.40 | 2.49 | 1.70 |
| Debt / FCF | — | 0.43 | 19.66 | — | — | — | 18.71 | 49.29 | 6.30 | 20.20 | 10.58 |
| Interest Coverage | 1.79 | 1.79 | 0.93 | -0.95 | 0.87 | 1.23 | 1.67 | 1.15 | 1.14 | 0.28 | 0.67 |
Short-term solvency ratios and asset-utilisation metrics
| Metric | TTM | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | FY 2022 | FY 2021 | FY 2020 | FY 2019 | FY 2018 | FY 2017 | FY 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio | 2.10 | 2.10 | 1.56 | 1.40 | 1.34 | 1.75 | 2.62 | 2.00 | 2.65 | 2.14 | 2.32 |
| Quick Ratio | 2.09 | 2.09 | 1.39 | 1.23 | 1.16 | 1.60 | 2.49 | 1.82 | 2.48 | 1.98 | 2.15 |
| Cash Ratio | 1.74 | 1.74 | 0.33 | 0.20 | 0.24 | 0.31 | 1.24 | 0.48 | 1.07 | 0.78 | 1.01 |
| Asset Turnover | — | 0.15 | 0.36 | 0.37 | 0.37 | 0.39 | 0.42 | 0.48 | 0.52 | 0.54 | 0.54 |
| Inventory Turnover | 317.63 | 317.63 | 11.67 | 11.22 | 9.57 | 13.89 | 15.29 | 13.83 | 15.57 | 16.27 | 16.09 |
| Days Sales Outstanding | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Earnings, FCF, buyback, and dividend yields — total returns to shareholders
Full dividend history and growth charts are on the Dividend History page
| Metric | TTM | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | FY 2022 | FY 2021 | FY 2020 | FY 2019 | FY 2018 | FY 2017 | FY 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield | 2.1% | 1.9% | 2.7% | 7.4% | 12.6% | 5.1% | 3.7% | 2.5% | 1.9% | 2.2% | 2.0% |
| Payout Ratio | — | — | — | — | 243.5% | 76.3% | 34.5% | 62.0% | 53.3% | 45.1% | 151.2% |
| Metric | TTM | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | FY 2022 | FY 2021 | FY 2020 | FY 2019 | FY 2018 | FY 2017 | FY 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Earnings Yield | — | — | — | — | — | 5.0% | 10.4% | 4.1% | 3.6% | 4.9% | 1.4% |
| FCF Yield | 70.1% | 57.9% | 6.2% | — | — | — | 7.7% | 2.0% | 6.5% | 2.9% | 4.6% |
| Buyback Yield | 3.3% | 2.7% | 1.4% | 0.3% | 6.9% | 2.6% | 1.7% | 0.7% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.2% |
| Total Shareholder Yield | 5.4% | 4.6% | 4.1% | 7.7% | 19.6% | 7.7% | 5.4% | 3.3% | 1.9% | 2.2% | 2.3% |
| Shares Outstanding | — | $115M | $114M | $113M | $114M | $116M | $115M | $116M | $114M | $112M | $111M |
Includes 30+ ratios · 30 years · Updated daily
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Quick answers to the most common questions about buying TDS stock.
Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.'s current P/E ratio is -55.6x. The historical average is 30.5x.
Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.'s current EV/EBITDA is 17.6x. This enterprise value multiple compares the company's total value (equity + debt - cash) to its EBITDA. The historical average is 7.3x.
Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.'s return on equity (ROE) is -0.1%. The historical average is 3.2%.
Based on historical data, Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. is trading at a P/E of -55.6x. Compare with industry peers and growth rates for a complete picture.
Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.'s current dividend yield is 2.07%.
Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. has -5.0% gross margin and -5.0% operating margin.
Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.'s Debt/EBITDA ratio is 6.7x, indicating high leverage. A ratio above 4x may signal elevated financial risk.
Key Metrics
Top Statement Risk
Wireless divestiture execution risk
Metrics are mathematically derived from official filings.
Valuation Signals Post-Divestiture Transition
TDS trades at a forward P/E of 26.96 and a P/B of 0.77, per recent market data, suggesting investors are pricing in a recovery from the divestiture-driven earnings trough, with a dividend yield of 2.2%.
The trailing P/E of -53.35 reflects the one-time gain in 2026Q2 that distorted net income, while the forward P/E of 26.96 implies the market expects normalized earnings to recover. The P/B of 0.77 indicates the market values the remaining fiber and tower assets below book value, possibly due to skepticism about the slimmed-down entity's growth prospects. The dividend yield of 2.2% is modest relative to utility peers, but the payout ratio of 7.3% in 2026Q2 suggests ample coverage, though this is skewed by the one-time gain.
ROE Recovery Masked by One-Time Gain
Reported ROE improved to 5.6% in 2026Q2, up from 0.2% a year earlier, according to financial statements, but this likely includes a divestiture gain, masking the underlying profitability of the continuing operations.
The sharp improvement in ROE from 0.2% in 2025Q2 to 5.6% in 2026Q2 is primarily attributable to the one-time gain on the UScellular divestiture, as net income of $298.4M far exceeds operating income of $373.2M. Excluding this gain, the underlying ROE appears to be near zero or negative, given the negative operating margins in prior quarters. This suggests that the remaining fiber business has not yet achieved a return commensurate with its capital base, and investors should monitor whether the slimmed-down entity can generate sustainable returns above its cost of capital.
Margins Distorted by Transition Costs
Operating margin swung to 120.7% in 2026Q2, per reported figures, but this includes a $373.2M gain; excluding this, margins remain negative, as seen in the -22.0% operating margin in 2025Q3.
The reported operating margin of 120.7% in 2026Q2 is clearly non-recurring, driven by the divestiture gain. Prior quarters show persistent negative operating margins, such as -22.0% in 2025Q3, indicating that the continuing operations are struggling to cover fixed costs. The elevated depreciation and amortization of $88.8M in 2026Q2, even after the divestiture, suggests that the remaining asset base still carries significant fixed costs, pressuring cost recovery. This implies that the fiber business has not yet reached a scale where it can generate positive contribution margins, and investors should monitor whether the company can achieve sustainable profitability.
Deleveraging Creates Flexibility but Raises Questions
Debt-to-capital fell to 0.19 in 2026Q2 from 0.46 a year earlier, per balance sheet data, as total debt dropped to $1.2B, but the low leverage may indicate limited access to growth capital post-divestiture.
The dramatic reduction in leverage, with debt-to-capital at 0.19 and interest coverage at 40.31 in 2026Q2, reflects the use of divestiture proceeds to pay down debt. While this strengthens the balance sheet, it also suggests that management has not yet redeployed capital into growth initiatives, possibly due to uncertainty about the fiber expansion strategy. The low FFO/debt ratio of 40.57 in 2026Q2 is inflated by the one-time gain, and normalized FFO/debt is likely much lower, as seen in prior quarters around 4.0. This indicates that the company's credit quality is adequate but may not be as strong as the headline numbers suggest.
Dividend Coverage Thin but Maintained
Dividends paid remained steady at $21.9M in 2026Q2, with OCF-to-dividend coverage of 2.5x, as per cash flow data, but this coverage is down from 19.1x in 2025Q2, reflecting reduced cash generation.
The dividend yield of 2.2% is modest, but the payout ratio of 7.3% in 2026Q2 is misleading due to the one-time gain. Excluding the gain, the payout ratio would be significantly higher, as seen in 2025Q2 when it was 183.3%. The OCF-to-dividend coverage of 2.5x in 2026Q2 is down sharply from 19.1x a year earlier, indicating that the slimmed-down entity generates less cash to support the dividend. This suggests that the dividend may be at risk if the fiber business does not improve cash generation, and investors should monitor whether management maintains the payout during the transition.
Misapplied P/E Obscures Asset Value
The most misapplied ratio for TDS is the P/E, which is distorted by one-time divestiture gains and losses, per reported figures, obscuring the underlying earnings power of the fiber and tower assets.
Comparing TDS's P/E to that of industrial or even other telecom companies is misleading because the trailing P/E is negative and the forward P/E is based on estimates that may not reflect the one-time nature of the divestiture gain. A more appropriate metric is EV/EBITDA, which at 17.01 suggests a premium that may be justified by the asset value of the fiber and tower portfolio. Additionally, investors should consider a sum-of-the-parts valuation, as the market may be undervaluing the standalone fiber business. The P/B of 0.77 indicates that the market values the assets below book, but this may be due to the historical cost of fiber assets not reflecting their replacement value.