TELEPHONE AND DATA SYSTEMS (TDS) Stock Fundamental Analysis

USA • New York Stock Exchange • NYSE:TDS • US8794338298

45.8 USD
-0.03 (-0.07%)
At close: Feb 6, 2026
45.9 USD
+0.1 (+0.22%)
After Hours: 2/6/2026, 8:08:06 PM
Overview Stock Chart Technical Analysis Fundamental Analysis Analyst Ratings Earnings Estimates Financials Ownership News
Fundamental Rating

3

We assign a fundamental rating of 3 out of 10 to TDS. TDS was compared to 22 industry peers in the Wireless Telecommunication Services industry. While TDS seems to be doing ok healthwise, there are quite some concerns on its profitability. TDS does not seem to be growing, but still is valued expensively.


Dividend Valuation Growth Profitability Health

2

1. Profitability

1.1 Basic Checks

  • TDS had negative earnings in the past year.
  • In the past year TDS had a positive cash flow from operations.
  • The reported net income has been mixed in the past 5 years: TDS reported negative net income in multiple 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 0 500M -500M 1B 1.5B

1.2 Ratios

  • TDS's Return On Assets of -1.47% is on the low side compared to the rest of the industry. TDS is outperformed by 77.27% of its industry peers.
  • TDS has a worse Return On Equity (-2.80%) than 72.73% of its industry peers.
  • The Return On Invested Capital of TDS (0.43%) is worse than 77.27% of its industry peers.
  • TDS had an Average Return On Invested Capital over the past 3 years of 1.00%. This is significantly below the industry average of 6.60%.
Industry RankSector Rank
ROA -1.47%
ROE -2.8%
ROIC 0.43%
ROA(3y)-1.61%
ROA(5y)-0.43%
ROE(3y)-4.32%
ROE(5y)-1.26%
ROIC(3y)1%
ROIC(5y)1.36%
TDS Yearly ROA, ROE, ROICTDS Yearly ROA, ROE, ROICYearly ROA, ROE, ROIC 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 0 -5 -10

1.3 Margins

  • With a Operating Margin value of 1.10%, TDS is not doing good in the industry: 77.27% of the companies in the same industry are doing better.
  • In the last couple of years the Operating Margin of TDS has declined.
  • TDS's Gross Margin of 57.76% is fine compared to the rest of the industry. TDS outperforms 72.73% of its industry peers.
  • TDS's Gross Margin has been stable in the last couple of years.
Industry RankSector Rank
OM 1.1%
PM (TTM) N/A
GM 57.76%
OM growth 3Y-14.66%
OM growth 5Y-1.97%
PM growth 3YN/A
PM growth 5YN/A
GM growth 3Y2.06%
GM growth 5Y0.77%
TDS Yearly Profit, Operating, Gross MarginsTDS Yearly Profit, Operating, Gross MarginsYearly Profit, Operating, Gross Margins 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 0 20 40

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ROAROEROICOperating and Profit MarginShow most profitable peers

6

2. Health

2.1 Basic Checks

  • The Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) is below the Cost of Capital (WACC), so TDS is destroying value.
  • TDS has more shares outstanding than it did 1 year ago.
  • TDS has less shares outstanding than it did 5 years ago.
  • Compared to 1 year ago, TDS has a worse debt to assets ratio.
TDS Yearly Shares OutstandingTDS Yearly Shares OutstandingYearly Shares Outstanding 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 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 5B 10B

2.2 Solvency

  • Based on the Altman-Z score of 1.54, we must say that TDS is in the distress zone and has some risk of bankruptcy.
  • Looking at the Altman-Z score, with a value of 1.54, TDS is in the better half of the industry, outperforming 63.64% of the companies in the same industry.
  • TDS has a debt to FCF ratio of 2.84. This is a good value and a sign of high solvency as TDS would need 2.84 years to pay back of all of its debts.
  • TDS's Debt to FCF ratio of 2.84 is fine compared to the rest of the industry. TDS outperforms 72.73% of its industry peers.
  • TDS has a Debt/Equity ratio of 0.18. This is a healthy value indicating a solid balance between debt and equity.
  • Looking at the Debt to Equity ratio, with a value of 0.18, TDS belongs to the top of the industry, outperforming 86.36% of the companies in the same industry.
Industry RankSector Rank
Debt/Equity 0.18
Debt/FCF 2.84
Altman-Z 1.54
ROIC/WACC0.05
WACC8.28%
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 0 1B 2B 3B 4B 5B

2.3 Liquidity

  • TDS has a Current Ratio of 1.89. This is a normal value and indicates that TDS is financially healthy and should not expect problems in meeting its short term obligations.
  • TDS's Current ratio of 1.89 is amongst the best of the industry. TDS outperforms 100.00% of its industry peers.
  • TDS has a Quick Ratio of 1.88. This is a normal value and indicates that TDS is financially healthy and should not expect problems in meeting its short term obligations.
  • TDS has a Quick ratio of 1.88. This is amongst the best in the industry. TDS outperforms 100.00% of its industry peers.
Industry RankSector Rank
Current Ratio 1.89
Quick Ratio 1.88
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 1B 2B 3B

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WACCDebt/EquityHow to determine the health of a companyAltman-Z scoreShow peers with great health

1

3. Growth

3.1 Past

  • TDS shows a strong growth in Earnings Per Share. In the last year, the EPS has been growing by 80.46%, which is quite impressive.
  • The Revenue for TDS has decreased by -22.79% in the past year. This is quite bad
  • TDS shows a decrease in Revenue. Measured over the last years, the Revenue has been decreasing by -0.83% yearly.
EPS 1Y (TTM)80.46%
EPS 3YN/A
EPS 5YN/A
EPS Q2Q%109.59%
Revenue 1Y (TTM)-22.79%
Revenue growth 3Y-2.34%
Revenue growth 5Y-0.83%
Sales Q2Q%-49.54%

3.2 Future

  • TDS is expected to show a strong growth in Earnings Per Share. In the coming years, the EPS will grow by 43.46% yearly.
  • TDS is expected to show a very negative growth in Revenue. In the coming years, the Revenue will decrease by -35.78% yearly.
EPS Next Y-4.11%
EPS Next 2Y60.21%
EPS Next 3Y43.46%
EPS Next 5YN/A
Revenue Next Year-40.25%
Revenue Next 2Y-49.29%
Revenue Next 3Y-35.78%
Revenue Next 5YN/A

3.3 Evolution

  • The Revenue growth rate is decreasing: in the next years the growth will be less than in the last years.
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 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 0 1 -1

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Find the best growth stocksShow best growing peers

1

4. Valuation

4.1 Price/Earnings Ratio

  • TDS reported negative earnings for the last year, which makes the Price/Earnings Ratio negative.
  • TDS is valuated quite expensively with a Price/Forward Earnings ratio of 93.95.
  • Based on the Price/Forward Earnings ratio, TDS is valued expensively inside the industry as 81.82% of the companies are valued cheaper.
  • TDS's Price/Forward Earnings ratio indicates a rather expensive valuation when compared to the S&P500 average which is at 27.77.
Industry RankSector Rank
PE N/A
Fwd PE 93.95
TDS Price Earnings VS Forward Price EarningsTDS Price Earnings VS Forward Price Earnings ChartPrice Earnings - Forward Price Earnings PE FPE 0 -100 -200

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.
  • TDS's Price/Free Cash Flow ratio is a bit more expensive when compared to the industry. TDS is more expensive than 68.18% of the companies in the same industry.
Industry RankSector Rank
P/FCF 18.16
EV/EBITDA 9.53
TDS Per share dataTDS EPS, Sales, OCF, FCF, BookValue per sharePer Share Data Per Share 0 10 20 30

4.3 Compensation for Growth

  • TDS's earnings are expected to grow with 43.46% in the coming years. This may justify a more expensive valuation.
PEG (NY)N/A
PEG (5Y)N/A
EPS Next 2Y60.21%
EPS Next 3Y43.46%

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Price/EarningsPrice/FCFFCF per shareEV/EBITDAPEG RATIOShow best valued peers

3

5. Dividend

5.1 Amount

  • With a yearly dividend of 0.35%, TDS is not a good candidate for dividend investing.
  • Compared to an average industry Dividend Yield of 6.41, TDS is paying slightly less dividend.
  • Compared to an average S&P500 Dividend Yield of 1.81, TDS's dividend is way lower than the S&P500 average.
Industry RankSector Rank
Dividend Yield 0.35%

5.2 History

  • On average, the dividend of TDS grows each year by 6.94%, which is quite nice.
  • TDS has been paying a dividend for at least 10 years, so it has a reliable track record.
Dividend Growth(5Y)6.94%
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 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.
  • The dividend of TDS is growing, but earnings are growing more, so the dividend growth is sustainable.
DP-69.41%
EPS Next 2Y60.21%
EPS Next 3Y43.46%
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 0 200M -200M -400M

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Find the best dividend stocksShow peers with best dividend

TELEPHONE AND DATA SYSTEMS

NYSE:TDS (2/6/2026, 8:08:06 PM)

After market: 45.9 +0.1 (+0.22%)

45.8

-0.03 (-0.07%)

Chartmill FA Rating
GICS IndustryGroupTelecommunication Services
GICS IndustryWireless Telecommunication Services
Earnings (Last)11-07
Earnings (Next)02-12
Inst Owners99.22%
Inst Owner Change-2.35%
Ins Owners1%
Ins Owner Change-8.07%
Market Cap5.29B
Revenue(TTM)3.89B
Net Income(TTM)-125.06M
Analysts77.5
Price Target51.68 (12.84%)
Short Float %6.04%
Short Ratio6.05
Dividend
Industry RankSector Rank
Dividend Yield 0.35%
Yearly Dividend0.92
Dividend Growth(5Y)6.94%
DP-69.41%
Div Incr Years0
Div Non Decr Years0
Ex-DateN/A
Surprises & Revisions
EPS beat(2)1
Avg EPS beat(2)-186.8%
Min EPS beat(2)-550.04%
Max EPS beat(2)176.44%
EPS beat(4)2
Avg EPS beat(4)-148.13%
Min EPS beat(4)-550.04%
Max EPS beat(4)176.44%
EPS beat(8)5
Avg EPS beat(8)-73.46%
EPS beat(12)5
Avg EPS beat(12)-103.71%
EPS beat(16)8
Avg EPS beat(16)-100.6%
Revenue beat(2)0
Avg Revenue beat(2)-23.78%
Min Revenue beat(2)-47.39%
Max Revenue beat(2)-0.17%
Revenue beat(4)0
Avg Revenue beat(4)-13.7%
Min Revenue beat(4)-47.39%
Max Revenue beat(4)-0.17%
Revenue beat(8)1
Avg Revenue beat(8)-7.26%
Revenue beat(12)1
Avg Revenue beat(12)-5.81%
Revenue beat(16)3
Avg Revenue beat(16)-4.31%
PT rev (1m)4.11%
PT rev (3m)1.33%
EPS NQ rev (1m)0%
EPS NQ rev (3m)129.64%
EPS NY rev (1m)0%
EPS NY rev (3m)-89.69%
Revenue NQ rev (1m)0.03%
Revenue NQ rev (3m)-73.51%
Revenue NY rev (1m)0.03%
Revenue NY rev (3m)-36.86%
Valuation
Industry RankSector Rank
PE N/A
Fwd PE 93.95
P/S 1.36
P/FCF 18.16
P/OCF 6.76
P/B 1.18
P/tB 1.98
EV/EBITDA 9.53
EPS(TTM)-0.17
EYN/A
EPS(NY)0.49
Fwd EY1.06%
FCF(TTM)2.52
FCFY5.51%
OCF(TTM)6.77
OCFY14.79%
SpS33.67
BVpS38.68
TBVpS23.18
PEG (NY)N/A
PEG (5Y)N/A
Graham NumberN/A
Profitability
Industry RankSector Rank
ROA -1.47%
ROE -2.8%
ROCE 0.54%
ROIC 0.43%
ROICexc 0.48%
ROICexgc 0.65%
OM 1.1%
PM (TTM) N/A
GM 57.76%
FCFM 7.49%
ROA(3y)-1.61%
ROA(5y)-0.43%
ROE(3y)-4.32%
ROE(5y)-1.26%
ROIC(3y)1%
ROIC(5y)1.36%
ROICexc(3y)1.03%
ROICexc(5y)1.44%
ROICexgc(3y)1.72%
ROICexgc(5y)2.35%
ROCE(3y)1.27%
ROCE(5y)1.72%
ROICexgc growth 3Y-18.07%
ROICexgc growth 5Y-6.7%
ROICexc growth 3Y-17.3%
ROICexc growth 5Y-7.85%
OM growth 3Y-14.66%
OM growth 5Y-1.97%
PM growth 3YN/A
PM growth 5YN/A
GM growth 3Y2.06%
GM growth 5Y0.77%
F-Score8
Asset Turnover0.46
Health
Industry RankSector Rank
Debt/Equity 0.18
Debt/FCF 2.84
Debt/EBITDA 1.52
Cap/Depr 98%
Cap/Sales 12.63%
Interest Coverage 250
Cash Conversion 143.79%
Profit Quality N/A
Current Ratio 1.89
Quick Ratio 1.88
Altman-Z 1.54
F-Score8
WACC8.28%
ROIC/WACC0.05
Cap/Depr(3y)117.02%
Cap/Depr(5y)124.93%
Cap/Sales(3y)20.91%
Cap/Sales(5y)21.91%
Profit Quality(3y)N/A
Profit Quality(5y)N/A
High Growth Momentum
Growth
EPS 1Y (TTM)80.46%
EPS 3YN/A
EPS 5YN/A
EPS Q2Q%109.59%
EPS Next Y-4.11%
EPS Next 2Y60.21%
EPS Next 3Y43.46%
EPS Next 5YN/A
Revenue 1Y (TTM)-22.79%
Revenue growth 3Y-2.34%
Revenue growth 5Y-0.83%
Sales Q2Q%-49.54%
Revenue Next Year-40.25%
Revenue Next 2Y-49.29%
Revenue Next 3Y-35.78%
Revenue Next 5YN/A
EBIT growth 1Y-78.84%
EBIT growth 3Y-16.65%
EBIT growth 5Y-2.78%
EBIT Next Year3219.71%
EBIT Next 3Y171.31%
EBIT Next 5YN/A
FCF growth 1Y403.39%
FCF growth 3YN/A
FCF growth 5Y34.63%
OCF growth 1Y-33.53%
OCF growth 3Y1.25%
OCF growth 5Y2.42%

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 decline by -4.11% 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 3 / 10 and the dividend payout ratio is -69.41%.