TELEPHONE AND DATA SYSTEMS (TDS) Fundamental Analysis & Valuation

NYSE:TDS • US8794338298

44.86 USD
-0.05 (-0.11%)
At close: Mar 9, 2026
44.86 USD
0 (0%)
After Hours: 3/9/2026, 4:05:27 PM

This TDS fundamental analysis includes valuation metrics, fair value assessment, financial health analysis, profitability trends, growth metrics and dividend sustainability analysis.

Fundamental Rating

3

TDS gets a fundamental rating of 3 out of 10. The analysis compared the fundamentals against 22 industry peers in the Wireless Telecommunication Services industry. TDS has a great financial health rating, but its profitability evaluates not so good. TDS is valued expensive and it does not seem to be growing.


Dividend Valuation Growth Profitability Health

2

1. TDS Profitability Analysis

1.1 Basic Checks

  • TDS had positive earnings in the past year.
  • TDS had a positive operating cash flow in the past year.
  • TDS had negative earnings in 4 of the past 5 years.
  • In the past 5 years TDS always reported a positive cash flow from operatings.
TDS Yearly Net Income VS EBIT VS OCF VS FCFTDS Yearly Net Income VS EBIT VS OCF VS FCFYearly Net Income VS EBIT VS OCF VS FCF 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 0 500M -500M 1B 1.5B

1.2 Ratios

  • The Return On Assets of TDS (-0.89%) is worse than 77.27% of its industry peers.
  • TDS has a worse Return On Equity (-1.56%) than 77.27% of its industry peers.
  • TDS has a worse Return On Invested Capital (0.64%) than 81.82% of its industry peers.
Industry RankSector Rank
ROA -0.89%
ROE -1.56%
ROIC 0.64%
ROA(3y)-1.9%
ROA(5y)-0.98%
ROE(3y)-4.81%
ROE(5y)-2.51%
ROIC(3y)N/A
ROIC(5y)N/A
TDS Yearly ROA, ROE, ROICTDS Yearly ROA, ROE, ROICYearly ROA, ROE, ROIC 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 0 -5 -10

1.3 Margins

  • TDS has a Operating Margin of 2.15%. This is amonst the worse of the industry: TDS underperforms 81.82% of its industry peers.
  • With a decent Gross Margin value of 59.47%, TDS is doing good in the industry, outperforming 68.18% of the companies in the same industry.
  • In the last couple of years the Gross Margin of TDS has remained more or less at the same level.
Industry RankSector Rank
OM 2.15%
PM (TTM) N/A
GM 59.47%
OM growth 3YN/A
OM growth 5YN/A
PM growth 3YN/A
PM growth 5YN/A
GM growth 3Y3.91%
GM growth 5Y1.44%
TDS Yearly Profit, Operating, Gross MarginsTDS Yearly Profit, Operating, Gross MarginsYearly Profit, Operating, Gross Margins 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 0 20 -20 40 -40

7

2. TDS Health Analysis

2.1 Basic Checks

  • The Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) is below the Cost of Capital (WACC), so TDS is destroying value.
  • The number of shares outstanding for TDS remains at a similar level compared to 1 year ago.
  • TDS has about the same amout of shares outstanding than it did 5 years ago.
  • The debt/assets ratio for TDS has been reduced compared to a year ago.
TDS Yearly Shares OutstandingTDS Yearly Shares OutstandingYearly Shares Outstanding 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 20M 40M 60M 80M 100M
TDS Yearly Total Debt VS Total AssetsTDS Yearly Total Debt VS Total AssetsYearly Total Debt VS Total Assets 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 5B 10B

2.2 Solvency

  • TDS has an Altman-Z score of 1.58. This is a bad value and indicates that TDS is not financially healthy and even has some risk of bankruptcy.
  • Looking at the Altman-Z score, with a value of 1.58, TDS is in the better half of the industry, outperforming 68.18% of the companies in the same industry.
  • The Debt to FCF ratio of TDS is 4.16, which is a neutral value as it means it would take TDS, 4.16 years of fcf income to pay off all of its debts.
  • Looking at the Debt to FCF ratio, with a value of 4.16, TDS is in the better half of the industry, outperforming 68.18% of the companies in the same industry.
  • A Debt/Equity ratio of 0.17 indicates that TDS is not too dependend on debt financing.
  • The Debt to Equity ratio of TDS (0.17) is better than 90.91% of its industry peers.
Industry RankSector Rank
Debt/Equity 0.17
Debt/FCF 4.16
Altman-Z 1.58
ROIC/WACC0.08
WACC7.56%
TDS Yearly LT Debt VS Equity VS FCFTDS Yearly LT Debt VS Equity VS FCFYearly LT Debt VS Equity VS FCF 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 0 1B 2B 3B 4B 5B

2.3 Liquidity

  • TDS has a Current Ratio of 2.10. This indicates that TDS is financially healthy and has no problem in meeting its short term obligations.
  • The Current ratio of TDS (2.10) is better than 100.00% of its industry peers.
  • A Quick Ratio of 2.09 indicates that TDS has no problem at all paying its short term obligations.
  • Looking at the Quick ratio, with a value of 2.09, TDS belongs to the top of the industry, outperforming 100.00% of the companies in the same industry.
Industry RankSector Rank
Current Ratio 2.1
Quick Ratio 2.09
TDS Yearly Current Assets VS Current LiabilitesTDS Yearly Current Assets VS Current LiabilitesYearly Current Assets VS Current Liabilites 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 1B 2B 3B

1

3. TDS Growth Analysis

3.1 Past

  • TDS shows a strong growth in Earnings Per Share. In the last year, the EPS has been growing by 130.23%, which is quite impressive.
  • TDS shows a very negative growth in Earnings Per Share. Measured over the last years, the EPS has been decreasing by -32.75% yearly.
  • Looking at the last year, TDS shows a very negative growth in Revenue. The Revenue has decreased by -39.98% in the last year.
  • TDS shows a very negative growth in Revenue. Measured over the last years, the Revenue has been decreasing by -25.14% yearly.
EPS 1Y (TTM)130.23%
EPS 3YN/A
EPS 5Y-32.75%
EPS Q2Q%430%
Revenue 1Y (TTM)-39.98%
Revenue growth 3Y-39.01%
Revenue growth 5Y-25.14%
Sales Q2Q%-73.33%

3.2 Future

  • The Earnings Per Share is expected to decrease by -53.16% on average over the next years. This is quite bad
  • Based on estimates for the next years, TDS will show a very negative growth in Revenue. The Revenue will decrease by -21.95% on average per year.
EPS Next Y99.67%
EPS Next 2Y37.33%
EPS Next 3Y-53.16%
EPS Next 5YN/A
Revenue Next Year-57.44%
Revenue Next 2Y-34.2%
Revenue Next 3Y-21.95%
Revenue Next 5YN/A

3.3 Evolution

  • When comparing the EPS growth rate of the last years to the growth rate of the upcoming years, we see that the growth is decreasing.
  • When comparing the Revenue growth rate of the last years to the growth rate of the upcoming years, we see that the growth is stable.
TDS Yearly Revenue VS EstimatesTDS Yearly Revenue VS EstimatesYearly Revenue VS Estimates 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 1B 2B 3B 4B 5B
TDS Yearly EPS VS EstimatesTDS Yearly EPS VS EstimatesYearly EPS VS Estimates 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 0 1 -1

1

4. TDS Valuation Analysis

4.1 Price/Earnings Ratio

  • A Price/Earnings ratio of 172.54 indicates a quite expensive valuation of TDS.
  • Based on the Price/Earnings ratio, TDS is valued a bit more expensive than the industry average as 77.27% of the companies are valued more cheaply.
  • The average S&P500 Price/Earnings ratio is at 26.29. TDS is valued rather expensively when compared to this.
  • The Price/Forward Earnings ratio is 86.41, which means the current valuation is very expensive for TDS.
  • 81.82% of the companies in the same industry are cheaper than TDS, based on the Price/Forward Earnings ratio.
  • When comparing the Price/Forward Earnings ratio of TDS to the average of the S&P500 Index (24.60), we can say TDS is valued expensively.
Industry RankSector Rank
PE 172.54
Fwd PE 86.41
TDS Price Earnings VS Forward Price EarningsTDS Price Earnings VS Forward Price Earnings ChartPrice Earnings - Forward Price Earnings PE FPE 50 100 150

4.2 Price Multiples

  • Compared to the rest of the industry, the Enterprise Value to EBITDA ratio of TDS is on the same level as its industry peers.
  • Based on the Price/Free Cash Flow ratio, TDS is valued a bit more expensive than 72.73% of the companies in the same industry.
Industry RankSector Rank
P/FCF 25.58
EV/EBITDA 12.43
TDS Per share dataTDS EPS, Sales, OCF, FCF, BookValue per sharePer Share Data Per Share 10 20 30 40

4.3 Compensation for Growth

  • TDS's PEG Ratio(NY), which compensates the Price/Earnings for growth, indicates a correct valuation of the company.
  • TDS's earnings are expected to decrease with -53.16% in the coming years. This may justify a cheaper valuation.
PEG (NY)1.73
PEG (5Y)N/A
EPS Next 2Y37.33%
EPS Next 3Y-53.16%

2

5. TDS Dividend Analysis

5.1 Amount

  • TDS has a yearly dividend return of 0.35%, which is pretty low.
  • TDS's Dividend Yield is slightly below the industry average, which is at 6.30.
  • Compared to an average S&P500 Dividend Yield of 1.82, TDS's dividend is way lower than the S&P500 average.
Industry RankSector Rank
Dividend Yield 0.35%

5.2 History

  • The dividend of TDS has a limited annual growth rate of 2.48%.
  • TDS has paid a dividend for at least 10 years, which is a reliable track record.
Dividend Growth(5Y)2.48%
Div Incr Years0
Div Non Decr Years0
TDS Yearly Dividends per shareTDS Yearly Dividends per shareYearly Dividends per share 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 0.2 0.4 0.6

5.3 Sustainability

  • TDS has negative earnings and hence a negative payout ratio. The dividend may be in danger.
DP-117.07%
EPS Next 2Y37.33%
EPS Next 3Y-53.16%
TDS Yearly Income VS Free CF VS DividendTDS Yearly Income VS Free CF VS DividendYearly Income VS Free CF VS Dividend 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 0 200M -200M -400M

TDS Fundamentals: All Metrics, Ratios and Statistics

TELEPHONE AND DATA SYSTEMS

NYSE:TDS (3/9/2026, 4:05:27 PM)

After market: 44.86 0 (0%)

44.86

-0.05 (-0.11%)

Chartmill FA Rating
GICS IndustryGroupTelecommunication Services
GICS IndustryWireless Telecommunication Services
Earnings (Last)02-20
Earnings (Next)04-30
Inst Owners97.32%
Inst Owner Change-4.61%
Ins Owners1.01%
Ins Owner Change-0.9%
Market Cap5.10B
Revenue(TTM)2.98B
Net Income(TTM)-74.89M
Analysts77.5
Price Target51.68 (15.2%)
Short Float %4.92%
Short Ratio4.79
Dividend
Industry RankSector Rank
Dividend Yield 0.35%
Yearly Dividend0.77
Dividend Growth(5Y)2.48%
DP-117.07%
Div Incr Years0
Div Non Decr Years0
Ex-Date03-16
Surprises & Revisions
EPS beat(2)2
Avg EPS beat(2)237.45%
Min EPS beat(2)176.44%
Max EPS beat(2)298.45%
EPS beat(4)2
Avg EPS beat(4)-89.72%
Min EPS beat(4)-550.04%
Max EPS beat(4)298.45%
EPS beat(8)5
Avg EPS beat(8)-37.22%
EPS beat(12)6
Avg EPS beat(12)-78.57%
EPS beat(16)8
Avg EPS beat(16)-93.04%
Revenue beat(2)1
Avg Revenue beat(2)-22.86%
Min Revenue beat(2)-47.39%
Max Revenue beat(2)1.68%
Revenue beat(4)1
Avg Revenue beat(4)-12.77%
Min Revenue beat(4)-47.39%
Max Revenue beat(4)1.68%
Revenue beat(8)1
Avg Revenue beat(8)-7.22%
Revenue beat(12)2
Avg Revenue beat(12)-5.34%
Revenue beat(16)4
Avg Revenue beat(16)-4.21%
PT rev (1m)0%
PT rev (3m)4.11%
EPS NQ rev (1m)0%
EPS NQ rev (3m)0%
EPS NY rev (1m)6.49%
EPS NY rev (3m)2.05%
Revenue NQ rev (1m)-1.16%
Revenue NQ rev (3m)-1.16%
Revenue NY rev (1m)-1.16%
Revenue NY rev (3m)-1.31%
Valuation
Industry RankSector Rank
PE 172.54
Fwd PE 86.41
P/S 1.71
P/FCF 25.58
P/OCF 8.65
P/B 1.06
P/tB 1.69
EV/EBITDA 12.43
EPS(TTM)0.26
EY0.58%
EPS(NY)0.52
Fwd EY1.16%
FCF(TTM)1.75
FCFY3.91%
OCF(TTM)5.19
OCFY11.57%
SpS26.2
BVpS42.23
TBVpS26.62
PEG (NY)1.73
PEG (5Y)N/A
Graham Number15.72
Profitability
Industry RankSector Rank
ROA -0.89%
ROE -1.56%
ROCE 0.81%
ROIC 0.64%
ROICexc 0.7%
ROICexgc 0.94%
OM 2.15%
PM (TTM) N/A
GM 59.47%
FCFM 6.69%
ROA(3y)-1.9%
ROA(5y)-0.98%
ROE(3y)-4.81%
ROE(5y)-2.51%
ROIC(3y)N/A
ROIC(5y)N/A
ROICexc(3y)N/A
ROICexc(5y)N/A
ROICexgc(3y)N/A
ROICexgc(5y)N/A
ROCE(3y)N/A
ROCE(5y)N/A
ROICexgc growth 3YN/A
ROICexgc growth 5YN/A
ROICexc growth 3YN/A
ROICexc growth 5YN/A
OM growth 3YN/A
OM growth 5YN/A
PM growth 3YN/A
PM growth 5YN/A
GM growth 3Y3.91%
GM growth 5Y1.44%
F-Score6
Asset Turnover0.35
Health
Industry RankSector Rank
Debt/Equity 0.17
Debt/FCF 4.16
Debt/EBITDA 1.98
Cap/Depr 110.98%
Cap/Sales 13.11%
Interest Coverage 0.66
Cash Conversion 141.8%
Profit Quality N/A
Current Ratio 2.1
Quick Ratio 2.09
Altman-Z 1.58
F-Score6
WACC7.56%
ROIC/WACC0.08
Cap/Depr(3y)112.36%
Cap/Depr(5y)117.68%
Cap/Sales(3y)63.11%
Cap/Sales(5y)46.4%
Profit Quality(3y)N/A
Profit Quality(5y)N/A
High Growth Momentum
Growth
EPS 1Y (TTM)130.23%
EPS 3YN/A
EPS 5Y-32.75%
EPS Q2Q%430%
EPS Next Y99.67%
EPS Next 2Y37.33%
EPS Next 3Y-53.16%
EPS Next 5YN/A
Revenue 1Y (TTM)-39.98%
Revenue growth 3Y-39.01%
Revenue growth 5Y-25.14%
Sales Q2Q%-73.33%
Revenue Next Year-57.44%
Revenue Next 2Y-34.2%
Revenue Next 3Y-21.95%
Revenue Next 5YN/A
EBIT growth 1Y-60.9%
EBIT growth 3YN/A
EBIT growth 5YN/A
EBIT Next Year57958.4%
EBIT Next 3Y777.5%
EBIT Next 5YN/A
FCF growth 1Y-23.62%
FCF growth 3YN/A
FCF growth 5Y0.55%
OCF growth 1Y-48.48%
OCF growth 3Y-20.07%
OCF growth 5Y-17.38%

TELEPHONE AND DATA SYSTEMS / TDS FAQ

What is the ChartMill fundamental rating of TELEPHONE AND DATA SYSTEMS (TDS) stock?

ChartMill assigns a fundamental rating of 3 / 10 to TDS.


What is the valuation status for TDS stock?

ChartMill assigns a valuation rating of 1 / 10 to TELEPHONE AND DATA SYSTEMS (TDS). This can be considered as Overvalued.


How profitable is TELEPHONE AND DATA SYSTEMS (TDS) stock?

TELEPHONE AND DATA SYSTEMS (TDS) has a profitability rating of 2 / 10.


Can you provide the expected EPS growth for TDS stock?

The Earnings per Share (EPS) of TELEPHONE AND DATA SYSTEMS (TDS) is expected to grow by 99.67% in the next year.


How sustainable is the dividend of TELEPHONE AND DATA SYSTEMS (TDS) stock?

The dividend rating of TELEPHONE AND DATA SYSTEMS (TDS) is 2 / 10 and the dividend payout ratio is -117.07%.