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Telephone and Data Systems (TDS) Competitors

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$42.19 -0.57 (-1.33%)
Closing price 05/13/2026 03:59 PM Eastern
Extended Trading
$42.28 +0.09 (+0.21%)
As of 06:04 AM Eastern
Extended trading is trading that happens on electronic markets outside of regular trading hours. This is a fair market value extended hours price provided by Massive. Learn more.

TDS vs. BB, SHEN, SPOK, CCI, and SBAC

Should you buy Telephone and Data Systems stock or one of its competitors? MarketBeat compares Telephone and Data Systems with other companies and stocks that may be similar based on industry, sector, market capitalization, business model, investor interest, or shared news coverage. Companies and stocks commonly compared with Telephone and Data Systems include BlackBerry (BB), Shenandoah Telecommunications (SHEN), Spok (SPOK), Crown Castle (CCI), and SBA Communications (SBAC). These companies are all part of the "wireless telecommunication services" industry.

How does Telephone and Data Systems compare to BlackBerry?

Telephone and Data Systems (NYSE:TDS) and BlackBerry (NYSE:BB) are both mid-cap wireless telecommunication services companies, but which is the superior investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their dividends, profitability, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, earnings, valuation, risk and media sentiment.

In the previous week, Telephone and Data Systems had 18 more articles in the media than BlackBerry. MarketBeat recorded 18 mentions for Telephone and Data Systems and 0 mentions for BlackBerry. Telephone and Data Systems' average media sentiment score of 0.65 beat BlackBerry's score of 0.00 indicating that Telephone and Data Systems is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Overall Sentiment
Telephone and Data Systems Positive
BlackBerry Neutral

BlackBerry has a net margin of 9.69% compared to Telephone and Data Systems' net margin of 6.15%. BlackBerry's return on equity of 10.09% beat Telephone and Data Systems' return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Telephone and Data Systems6.15% 5.54% 2.49%
BlackBerry 9.69%10.09%6.10%

Telephone and Data Systems has a beta of 0.33, indicating that its stock price is 67% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, BlackBerry has a beta of 2.1, indicating that its stock price is 110% more volatile than the broader market.

BlackBerry has lower revenue, but higher earnings than Telephone and Data Systems. BlackBerry is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Telephone and Data Systems, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Telephone and Data Systems$1.23B3.91-$6.24M$0.5379.60
BlackBerry$549.10M6.52$53.20M$0.0876.19

80.0% of Telephone and Data Systems shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 54.5% of BlackBerry shares are held by institutional investors. 14.2% of Telephone and Data Systems shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 0.4% of BlackBerry shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Telephone and Data Systems presently has a consensus price target of $53.33, suggesting a potential upside of 26.41%. BlackBerry has a consensus price target of $4.88, suggesting a potential downside of 19.93%. Given Telephone and Data Systems' stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Telephone and Data Systems is more favorable than BlackBerry.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Telephone and Data Systems
0 Sell rating(s)
3 Hold rating(s)
2 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.40
BlackBerry
0 Sell rating(s)
7 Hold rating(s)
1 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.13

Summary

Telephone and Data Systems beats BlackBerry on 10 of the 16 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Telephone and Data Systems compare to Shenandoah Telecommunications?

Telephone and Data Systems (NYSE:TDS) and Shenandoah Telecommunications (NASDAQ:SHEN) are both utilities companies, but which is the superior investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their dividends, profitability, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, earnings, valuation, risk and media sentiment.

In the previous week, Telephone and Data Systems had 16 more articles in the media than Shenandoah Telecommunications. MarketBeat recorded 18 mentions for Telephone and Data Systems and 2 mentions for Shenandoah Telecommunications. Shenandoah Telecommunications' average media sentiment score of 1.32 beat Telephone and Data Systems' score of 0.65 indicating that Shenandoah Telecommunications is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Telephone and Data Systems
4 Very Positive mention(s)
2 Positive mention(s)
11 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Shenandoah Telecommunications
0 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
0 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Telephone and Data Systems has a net margin of 6.15% compared to Shenandoah Telecommunications' net margin of -11.35%. Telephone and Data Systems' return on equity of 5.54% beat Shenandoah Telecommunications' return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Telephone and Data Systems6.15% 5.54% 2.49%
Shenandoah Telecommunications -11.35%-4.64%-2.18%

Telephone and Data Systems has a beta of 0.33, meaning that its stock price is 67% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Shenandoah Telecommunications has a beta of 0.66, meaning that its stock price is 34% less volatile than the broader market.

Telephone and Data Systems has higher revenue and earnings than Shenandoah Telecommunications. Shenandoah Telecommunications is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Telephone and Data Systems, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Telephone and Data Systems$1.23B3.91-$6.24M$0.5379.60
Shenandoah Telecommunications$357.85M2.45-$39.39M-$0.80N/A

80.0% of Telephone and Data Systems shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 62.0% of Shenandoah Telecommunications shares are held by institutional investors. 14.2% of Telephone and Data Systems shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 5.0% of Shenandoah Telecommunications shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Telephone and Data Systems pays an annual dividend of $0.16 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.4%. Shenandoah Telecommunications pays an annual dividend of $0.11 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.7%. Telephone and Data Systems pays out 30.2% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Shenandoah Telecommunications pays out -13.8% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Shenandoah Telecommunications has raised its dividend for 3 consecutive years. Shenandoah Telecommunications is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Telephone and Data Systems presently has a consensus price target of $53.33, suggesting a potential upside of 26.41%. Shenandoah Telecommunications has a consensus price target of $27.50, suggesting a potential upside of 73.50%. Given Shenandoah Telecommunications' higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Shenandoah Telecommunications is more favorable than Telephone and Data Systems.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Telephone and Data Systems
0 Sell rating(s)
3 Hold rating(s)
2 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.40
Shenandoah Telecommunications
1 Sell rating(s)
0 Hold rating(s)
2 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.33

Summary

Telephone and Data Systems beats Shenandoah Telecommunications on 12 of the 18 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Telephone and Data Systems compare to Spok?

Telephone and Data Systems (NYSE:TDS) and Spok (NASDAQ:SPOK) are both wireless telecommunication services companies, but which is the superior investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their dividends, profitability, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, earnings, valuation, risk and media sentiment.

80.0% of Telephone and Data Systems shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 50.8% of Spok shares are held by institutional investors. 14.2% of Telephone and Data Systems shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 7.4% of Spok shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

In the previous week, Telephone and Data Systems had 14 more articles in the media than Spok. MarketBeat recorded 18 mentions for Telephone and Data Systems and 4 mentions for Spok. Spok's average media sentiment score of 1.45 beat Telephone and Data Systems' score of 0.65 indicating that Spok is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Telephone and Data Systems
4 Very Positive mention(s)
2 Positive mention(s)
11 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Spok
1 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Telephone and Data Systems has a beta of 0.33, meaning that its stock price is 67% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Spok has a beta of 0.45, meaning that its stock price is 55% less volatile than the broader market.

Telephone and Data Systems presently has a consensus price target of $53.33, suggesting a potential upside of 26.41%. Spok has a consensus price target of $14.00, suggesting a potential upside of 27.97%. Given Spok's higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Spok is more favorable than Telephone and Data Systems.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Telephone and Data Systems
0 Sell rating(s)
3 Hold rating(s)
2 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.40
Spok
0 Sell rating(s)
2 Hold rating(s)
0 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.00

Spok has a net margin of 9.27% compared to Telephone and Data Systems' net margin of 6.15%. Spok's return on equity of 8.64% beat Telephone and Data Systems' return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Telephone and Data Systems6.15% 5.54% 2.49%
Spok 9.27%8.64%6.19%

Telephone and Data Systems pays an annual dividend of $0.16 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.4%. Spok pays an annual dividend of $1.25 per share and has a dividend yield of 11.4%. Telephone and Data Systems pays out 30.2% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Spok pays out 208.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future.

Spok has lower revenue, but higher earnings than Telephone and Data Systems. Spok is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Telephone and Data Systems, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Telephone and Data Systems$1.23B3.91-$6.24M$0.5379.60
Spok$139.71M1.64$15.88M$0.6018.23

Summary

Telephone and Data Systems and Spok tied by winning 9 of the 18 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Telephone and Data Systems compare to Crown Castle?

Crown Castle (NYSE:CCI) and Telephone and Data Systems (NYSE:TDS) are both wireless telecommunication services companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their profitability, dividends, analyst recommendations, risk, institutional ownership, earnings, media sentiment and valuation.

90.8% of Crown Castle shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 80.0% of Telephone and Data Systems shares are held by institutional investors. 0.1% of Crown Castle shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 14.2% of Telephone and Data Systems shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

In the previous week, Telephone and Data Systems had 7 more articles in the media than Crown Castle. MarketBeat recorded 18 mentions for Telephone and Data Systems and 11 mentions for Crown Castle. Crown Castle's average media sentiment score of 1.16 beat Telephone and Data Systems' score of 0.65 indicating that Crown Castle is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Crown Castle
8 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
3 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Telephone and Data Systems
4 Very Positive mention(s)
2 Positive mention(s)
11 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Crown Castle has a beta of 0.93, indicating that its stock price is 7% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Telephone and Data Systems has a beta of 0.33, indicating that its stock price is 67% less volatile than the broader market.

Crown Castle presently has a consensus price target of $99.39, suggesting a potential upside of 10.87%. Telephone and Data Systems has a consensus price target of $53.33, suggesting a potential upside of 26.41%. Given Telephone and Data Systems' higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Telephone and Data Systems is more favorable than Crown Castle.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Crown Castle
0 Sell rating(s)
11 Hold rating(s)
8 Buy rating(s)
2 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.57
Telephone and Data Systems
0 Sell rating(s)
3 Hold rating(s)
2 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.40

Crown Castle has a net margin of 25.13% compared to Telephone and Data Systems' net margin of 6.15%. Telephone and Data Systems' return on equity of 5.54% beat Crown Castle's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Crown Castle25.13% -64.64% 3.30%
Telephone and Data Systems 6.15%5.54%2.49%

Crown Castle pays an annual dividend of $4.25 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.7%. Telephone and Data Systems pays an annual dividend of $0.16 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.4%. Crown Castle pays out 175.6% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Telephone and Data Systems pays out 30.2% of its earnings in the form of a dividend.

Crown Castle has higher revenue and earnings than Telephone and Data Systems. Crown Castle is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Telephone and Data Systems, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Crown Castle$4.26B9.18$444M$2.4237.04
Telephone and Data Systems$1.23B3.91-$6.24M$0.5379.60

Summary

Crown Castle beats Telephone and Data Systems on 13 of the 19 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Telephone and Data Systems compare to SBA Communications?

SBA Communications (NASDAQ:SBAC) and Telephone and Data Systems (NYSE:TDS) are both wireless telecommunication services companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their profitability, dividends, analyst recommendations, risk, institutional ownership, earnings, media sentiment and valuation.

SBA Communications pays an annual dividend of $5.00 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.4%. Telephone and Data Systems pays an annual dividend of $0.16 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.4%. SBA Communications pays out 52.6% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Telephone and Data Systems pays out 30.2% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. SBA Communications has raised its dividend for 6 consecutive years. SBA Communications is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

SBA Communications has a beta of 1.03, indicating that its stock price is 3% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Telephone and Data Systems has a beta of 0.33, indicating that its stock price is 67% less volatile than the broader market.

In the previous week, Telephone and Data Systems had 13 more articles in the media than SBA Communications. MarketBeat recorded 18 mentions for Telephone and Data Systems and 5 mentions for SBA Communications. SBA Communications' average media sentiment score of 1.29 beat Telephone and Data Systems' score of 0.65 indicating that SBA Communications is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
SBA Communications
2 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Telephone and Data Systems
4 Very Positive mention(s)
2 Positive mention(s)
11 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

97.4% of SBA Communications shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 80.0% of Telephone and Data Systems shares are held by institutional investors. 9.5% of SBA Communications shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 14.2% of Telephone and Data Systems shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

SBA Communications has a net margin of 35.66% compared to Telephone and Data Systems' net margin of 6.15%. Telephone and Data Systems' return on equity of 5.54% beat SBA Communications' return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
SBA Communications35.66% -20.90% 8.98%
Telephone and Data Systems 6.15%5.54%2.49%

SBA Communications presently has a consensus price target of $237.74, suggesting a potential upside of 14.48%. Telephone and Data Systems has a consensus price target of $53.33, suggesting a potential upside of 26.41%. Given Telephone and Data Systems' higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Telephone and Data Systems is more favorable than SBA Communications.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
SBA Communications
0 Sell rating(s)
10 Hold rating(s)
8 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.53
Telephone and Data Systems
0 Sell rating(s)
3 Hold rating(s)
2 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.40

SBA Communications has higher revenue and earnings than Telephone and Data Systems. SBA Communications is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Telephone and Data Systems, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
SBA Communications$2.82B7.80$1.05B$9.5021.86
Telephone and Data Systems$1.23B3.91-$6.24M$0.5379.60

Summary

SBA Communications beats Telephone and Data Systems on 14 of the 20 factors compared between the two stocks.

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New MarketBeat Followers Over Time

This chart shows the number of new MarketBeat users adding TDS and its top 5 competitors to their watchlist. Each company is represented with a line over a 90 day period.
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Media Sentiment Over Time

This chart shows the average media sentiment of NYSE and its competitors over the past 90 days as caculated by MarketBeat. The averaged score is equivalent to the following: Very Negative Sentiment <= -1.5, Negative Sentiment > -1.5 and <= -0.5, Neutral Sentiment > -0.5 and < 0.5, Positive Sentiment >= 0.5 and < 1.5, and Very Positive Sentiment >= 1.5.
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TDS vs. The Competition

MetricTelephone and Data SystemsWireline IndustryUtilities SectorNYSE Exchange
Market Cap$4.86B$4.86B$19.20B$22.96B
Dividend Yield0.37%0.37%3.76%4.06%
P/E Ratio79.6079.6022.4828.29
Price / Sales3.913.9148.8924.50
Price / Cash11.0911.0919.5225.11
Price / Book1.151.152.354.73
Net Income-$6.24M-$6.24M$777.56M$1.07B
7 Day Performance-7.30%-7.30%-0.16%-1.11%
1 Month Performance-7.23%-7.23%-1.51%1.36%
1 Year Performance24.60%24.60%22.29%24.41%

Telephone and Data Systems Competitors List

CompanyMarketRankShare PriceAnalysts' Price Target1Y Price PerformanceMarket CapRevenueP/E RatioEmployee CountIndicator(s)
TDS
Telephone and Data Systems
3.0411 of 5 stars
$42.19
-1.3%
$53.33
+26.4%
+27.0%$4.86B$1.23B79.604,000
BB
BlackBerry
1.7235 of 5 stars
$5.59
+3.1%
$4.88
-12.7%
+55.1%$3.18B$549.10M69.861,749
SHEN
Shenandoah Telecommunications
2.2219 of 5 stars
$15.72
-3.5%
$27.50
+74.9%
+32.2%$900.86M$357.85MN/A1,041
SPOK
Spok
4.5052 of 5 stars
$10.78
+2.3%
$14.00
+29.9%
-33.3%$218.50M$139.71M17.97380
CCI
Crown Castle
4.5844 of 5 stars
$90.10
+0.9%
$99.34
+10.2%
-8.9%$38.95B$4.26B37.234,000

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This page (NYSE:TDS) was last updated on 5/14/2026 by MarketBeat.com Staff.
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