BCE vs. SKM: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at BCE and SKM, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
BCE is a standard domestic listing, while SKM trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors access to its foreign-listed shares.
| Symbol | BCE | SKM |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | BCE Inc. | SK Telecom Co., Ltd. |
| Country | Canada | South Korea |
| GICS Sector | Communication Services | Communication Services |
| GICS Industry | Diversified Telecommunication Services | Wireless Telecommunication Services |
| Market Capitalization | 23.43 billion USD | 8.65 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | November 15, 1982 | June 27, 1996 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | ADR |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of BCE and SKM by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | BCE | SKM |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 5.53% | 0.72% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 6.87% | 8.33% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -5.93% | 0.18% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -29.41% | 4.52% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 4.49% | -0.36% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 1.35% | 1.27% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 3.29M | 0.51M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 3.79M | 0.83M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 20.61% | 18.47% |
| Beta | 0.06 | 0.20 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
BCE
3.43%
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 35.96%
- Q3
- 14.90%
- Median
- 8.29%
- Q1
- -0.99%
- Min
- -18.19%
BCE’s Return on Equity of 3.43% is on par with the norm for the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
SKM
10.73%
Wireless Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 27.67%
- Q3
- 18.94%
- Median
- 13.35%
- Q1
- 6.38%
- Min
- -8.07%
SKM’s Return on Equity of 10.73% is on par with the norm for the Wireless Telecommunication Services industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
BCE
2.47%
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 28.40%
- Q3
- 13.05%
- Median
- 6.85%
- Q1
- -0.81%
- Min
- -18.76%
BCE’s Net Profit Margin of 2.47% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
SKM
7.04%
Wireless Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 17.18%
- Q3
- 13.67%
- Median
- 9.33%
- Q1
- 4.43%
- Min
- -5.10%
SKM’s Net Profit Margin of 7.04% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Wireless Telecommunication Services industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
BCE
13.20%
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 37.46%
- Q3
- 22.24%
- Median
- 15.73%
- Q1
- 9.79%
- Min
- 2.06%
BCE’s Operating Profit Margin of 13.20% is around the midpoint for the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
SKM
10.03%
Wireless Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 29.85%
- Q3
- 23.51%
- Median
- 20.46%
- Q1
- 16.06%
- Min
- 9.07%
SKM’s Operating Profit Margin of 10.03% is in the lower quartile for the Wireless Telecommunication Services industry. This indicates weaker profitability from core operations, which may stem from inefficiencies or competitive pressures on pricing.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | BCE | SKM |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 3.43% | 10.73% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 0.83% | 4.23% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 2.47% | 7.04% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 13.20% | 10.03% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 67.94% | 96.21% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
BCE
0.61
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 1.63
- Q3
- 1.14
- Median
- 0.92
- Q1
- 0.68
- Min
- 0.16
BCE’s Current Ratio of 0.61 falls into the lower quartile for the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
SKM
0.88
Wireless Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 1.26
- Q3
- 1.00
- Median
- 0.71
- Q1
- 0.60
- Min
- 0.36
SKM’s Current Ratio of 0.88 aligns with the median group of the Wireless Telecommunication Services industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
BCE
2.08
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 3.82
- Q3
- 2.06
- Median
- 1.32
- Q1
- 0.74
- Min
- 0.11
BCE’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 2.08. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
SKM
0.90
Wireless Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 2.92
- Q3
- 2.15
- Median
- 1.57
- Q1
- 0.91
- Min
- 0.44
Falling into the lower quartile for the Wireless Telecommunication Services industry, SKM’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.90 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
BCE
1.47
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 14.66
- Q3
- 8.25
- Median
- 3.53
- Q1
- 1.47
- Min
- -2.60
BCE’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 1.47 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
SKM
8.33
Wireless Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 12.67
- Q3
- 6.16
- Median
- 3.95
- Q1
- 1.81
- Min
- -1.20
SKM’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 8.33 is in the upper quartile for the Wireless Telecommunication Services industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | BCE | SKM |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.61 | 0.88 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.54 | 0.62 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 2.08 | 0.90 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 1.47 | 8.33 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
BCE
10.29%
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 10.34%
- Q3
- 5.44%
- Median
- 3.89%
- Q1
- 1.73%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 10.29%, BCE offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
SKM
6.73%
Wireless Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 7.63%
- Q3
- 5.13%
- Median
- 3.22%
- Q1
- 2.33%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 6.73%, SKM offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Wireless Telecommunication Services industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
BCE
125.42%
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 270.06%
- Q3
- 135.21%
- Median
- 76.62%
- Q1
- 35.06%
- Min
- 0.00%
BCE’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 125.42% is within the typical range for the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
SKM
89.65%
Wireless Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 145.86%
- Q3
- 109.87%
- Median
- 78.85%
- Q1
- 48.65%
- Min
- 0.00%
SKM’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 89.65% is within the typical range for the Wireless Telecommunication Services industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | BCE | SKM |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 10.29% | 6.73% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 125.42% | 89.65% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
BCE
51.71
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 33.39
- Q3
- 23.91
- Median
- 16.72
- Q1
- 13.00
- Min
- 4.13
At 51.71, BCE’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry. This suggests the stock may be significantly overvalued compared to its peers and implies high market expectations that could be difficult to meet.
SKM
9.47
Wireless Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 34.45
- Q3
- 23.52
- Median
- 16.68
- Q1
- 13.97
- Min
- 7.48
In the lower quartile for the Wireless Telecommunication Services industry, SKM’s P/E Ratio of 9.47 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
BCE
1.28
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 4.75
- Q3
- 2.60
- Median
- 1.62
- Q1
- 0.94
- Min
- 0.35
BCE’s P/S Ratio of 1.28 aligns with the market consensus for the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
SKM
0.67
Wireless Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 2.56
- Q3
- 1.94
- Median
- 1.37
- Q1
- 1.22
- Min
- 0.62
In the lower quartile for the Wireless Telecommunication Services industry, SKM’s P/S Ratio of 0.67 indicates its revenue is valued more conservatively than most of its peers. This could present a compelling opportunity if the market has overlooked its sales-generating capabilities.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
BCE
1.53
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 5.77
- Q3
- 3.45
- Median
- 2.10
- Q1
- 1.19
- Min
- 0.32
BCE’s P/B Ratio of 1.53 is within the conventional range for the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.
SKM
1.01
Wireless Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 4.87
- Q3
- 2.93
- Median
- 2.02
- Q1
- 1.33
- Min
- 0.40
SKM’s P/B Ratio of 1.01 is in the lower quartile for the Wireless Telecommunication Services industry. From a value investing perspective, this is favorable, as it suggests the stock is trading at a discount to its net asset value and may offer a greater margin of safety.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | BCE | SKM |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 51.71 | 9.47 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 1.28 | 0.67 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 1.53 | 1.01 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 7.66 | 4.46 |