Reviewing Telephone and Data Systems (TDS) and Its Rivals

Telephone and Data Systems (NYSE:TDS) is one of 203 public companies in the “Diversified Telecommunication Services” industry, but how does it contrast to its rivals? We will compare Telephone and Data Systems to similar businesses based on the strength of its risk, institutional ownership, valuation, analyst recommendations, earnings, profitability and dividends.

Profitability

This table compares Telephone and Data Systems and its rivals’ net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Telephone and Data Systems	33.20%	11.97%	6.04%
Telephone and Data Systems Competitors	-12.06%	-217.46%	-3.38%

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of current ratings and target prices for Telephone and Data Systems and its rivals, as provided by MarketBeat.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Telephone and Data Systems	0	3	2	0	2.40
Telephone and Data Systems Competitors	1724	5289	7650	381	2.44

Telephone and Data Systems presently has a consensus price target of $47.50, indicating a potential upside of 39.77%. As a group, “Diversified Telecommunication Services” companies have a potential upside of 23.51%. Given Telephone and Data Systems’ higher possible upside, equities research analysts plainly believe Telephone and Data Systems is more favorable than its rivals.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

80.0% of Telephone and Data Systems shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 32.7% of shares of all “Diversified Telecommunication Services” companies are held by institutional investors. 14.2% of Telephone and Data Systems shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 19.2% of shares of all “Diversified Telecommunication Services” companies are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Volatility and Risk

Telephone and Data Systems has a beta of 0.32, suggesting that its stock price is 68% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Telephone and Data Systems’ rivals have a beta of -4.85, suggesting that their average stock price is 585% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Earnings & Valuation

This table compares Telephone and Data Systems and its rivals revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Net Income	Price/Earnings Ratio
Telephone and Data Systems	$1.26 billion	-$6.24 million	11.33
Telephone and Data Systems Competitors	$1,818.86 billion	$893.66 million	-167.34

Telephone and Data Systems’ rivals have higher revenue and earnings than Telephone and Data Systems. Telephone and Data Systems is trading at a higher price-to-earnings ratio than its rivals, indicating that it is currently more expensive than other companies in its industry.

Dividends

Telephone and Data Systems pays an annual dividend of $0.16 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.5%. Telephone and Data Systems pays out 5.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, “Diversified Telecommunication Services” companies pay a dividend yield of 14.1% and pay out 33.1% of their earnings in the form of a dividend.

Summary

Telephone and Data Systems beats its rivals on 8 of the 15 factors compared.

Telephone and Data Systems Company Profile

Telephone and Data Systems, Inc., a telecommunications company, provides communications services in the United States. It operates through two segments: UScellular and TDS Telecom. The company offers wireless solutions to consumers, and business and government customers, including a suite of connected Internet of things (IoT) solutions, and software applications for monitor and control, business automation/operations, communication, fleet and asset management, smart water solutions, private cellular networks and custom, and end-to-end IoT solutions; wireless priority services and quality priority and preemption options; smartphones and other handsets, tablets, wearables, mobile hotspots, fixed wireless home internet, and IoT devices; and accessories, such as cases, screen protectors, chargers, and memory cards, as well as consumer electronics, including audio, home automation and networking products. It also provides replace and repair services; Trade-In program through which it buys customers' used equipment; internet connections and all-home Wi-Fi services; TDS TV+, an integrated cloud television platform that offers video content and features; local and long-distance telephone service, voice over internet protocol, and enhanced services; broadband, IP-based services, and hosted voice and video collaboration services; and communication services in underserved areas. The company sells its products through retail stores, direct and indirect sales, third-party retailers, and independent agents, as well as through ecommerce and telesales. Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. was incorporated in 1968 and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.