CMCSA vs. LUMN: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at CMCSA and LUMN, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | CMCSA | LUMN |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Comcast Corporation | Lumen Technologies, Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Communication Services | Communication Services |
| GICS Industry | Media | Diversified Telecommunication Services |
| Market Capitalization | 121.62 billion USD | 4.42 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NYSE |
| Listing Date | March 17, 1980 | March 17, 1980 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of CMCSA and LUMN 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 | CMCSA | LUMN |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 4.01% | 16.49% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -5.13% | -2.05% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -4.44% | -13.97% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -14.51% | -7.11% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -0.87% | -3.15% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -12.23% | -18.83% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 25.24M | 15.72M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 22.56M | 11.46M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 22.30% | 59.47% |
| Beta | 0.97 | 1.40 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
CMCSA
25.82%
Media Industry
- Max
- 34.77%
- Q3
- 16.01%
- Median
- 10.70%
- Q1
- 2.80%
- Min
- -2.36%
In the upper quartile for the Media industry, CMCSA’s Return on Equity of 25.82% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
LUMN
-80.20%
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 35.96%
- Q3
- 14.90%
- Median
- 8.29%
- Q1
- -0.99%
- Min
- -18.19%
LUMN has a negative Return on Equity of -80.20%. This indicates the company is generating a loss for its shareholders, which can be a result of unprofitability or negative shareholder equity and is often a sign of financial distress.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
CMCSA
18.44%
Media Industry
- Max
- 16.04%
- Q3
- 10.15%
- Median
- 5.18%
- Q1
- 2.39%
- Min
- -3.66%
CMCSA’s Net Profit Margin of 18.44% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Media industry. This demonstrates outstanding operational efficiency and a strong competitive advantage in converting revenue into profit.
LUMN
-9.19%
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 28.40%
- Q3
- 13.05%
- Median
- 6.85%
- Q1
- -0.81%
- Min
- -18.76%
LUMN has a negative Net Profit Margin of -9.19%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
CMCSA
18.12%
Media Industry
- Max
- 24.65%
- Q3
- 13.68%
- Median
- 8.96%
- Q1
- 4.53%
- Min
- -8.09%
An Operating Profit Margin of 18.12% places CMCSA in the upper quartile for the Media industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
LUMN
-1.97%
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 37.46%
- Q3
- 22.24%
- Median
- 15.73%
- Q1
- 9.79%
- Min
- 2.06%
LUMN has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -1.97%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | CMCSA | LUMN |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 25.82% | -80.20% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 8.50% | -3.52% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 18.44% | -9.19% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 18.12% | -1.97% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 70.82% | 47.68% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
CMCSA
0.91
Media Industry
- Max
- 2.97
- Q3
- 1.79
- Median
- 1.39
- Q1
- 0.92
- Min
- 0.24
CMCSA’s Current Ratio of 0.91 falls into the lower quartile for the Media industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
LUMN
2.13
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 1.63
- Q3
- 1.14
- Median
- 0.92
- Q1
- 0.68
- Min
- 0.16
LUMN’s Current Ratio of 2.13 is exceptionally high, placing it well outside the typical range for the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry. This indicates a very strong liquidity position, though such a high ratio may also suggest that the company is not using its assets efficiently to generate profits.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
CMCSA
1.05
Media Industry
- Max
- 2.02
- Q3
- 1.06
- Median
- 0.58
- Q1
- 0.31
- Min
- 0.00
CMCSA’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.05 is typical for the Media industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
LUMN
61.12
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 3.82
- Q3
- 2.06
- Median
- 1.32
- Q1
- 0.74
- Min
- 0.11
With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 61.12, LUMN operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
CMCSA
4.64
Media Industry
- Max
- 44.57
- Q3
- 23.07
- Median
- 4.52
- Q1
- 2.14
- Min
- -10.82
CMCSA’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 4.64 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Media industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
LUMN
0.79
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 14.66
- Q3
- 8.25
- Median
- 3.53
- Q1
- 1.47
- Min
- -2.60
LUMN’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 0.79 is a critical concern. A value below 1.0 means operating earnings are insufficient to cover interest expenses, indicating severe financial strain and high default risk.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | CMCSA | LUMN |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.91 | 2.13 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.91 | 1.98 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 1.05 | 61.12 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 4.64 | 0.79 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
CMCSA
4.02%
Media Industry
- Max
- 7.76%
- Q3
- 4.16%
- Median
- 1.67%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
CMCSA’s Dividend Yield of 4.02% is consistent with its peers in the Media industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
LUMN
0.02%
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 10.34%
- Q3
- 5.44%
- Median
- 3.89%
- Q1
- 1.73%
- Min
- 0.00%
LUMN’s Dividend Yield of 0.02% is in the lower quartile for the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
CMCSA
21.21%
Media Industry
- Max
- 165.03%
- Q3
- 96.17%
- Median
- 45.64%
- Q1
- 14.80%
- Min
- 0.00%
CMCSA’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 21.21% is within the typical range for the Media industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
LUMN
5.26%
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 270.06%
- Q3
- 135.21%
- Median
- 76.62%
- Q1
- 35.06%
- Min
- 0.00%
LUMN’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 5.26% is in the lower quartile for the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | CMCSA | LUMN |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 4.02% | 0.02% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 21.21% | 5.26% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
CMCSA
5.28
Media Industry
- Max
- 49.10
- Q3
- 35.07
- Median
- 17.34
- Q1
- 10.39
- Min
- 5.81
CMCSA’s P/E Ratio of 5.28 is below the typical range for the Media industry. This may indicate that the stock is potentially undervalued, or it could reflect market concerns about the company’s future prospects.
LUMN
--
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 33.39
- Q3
- 23.91
- Median
- 16.72
- Q1
- 13.00
- Min
- 4.13
P/E Ratio data for LUMN is currently unavailable.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
CMCSA
0.97
Media Industry
- Max
- 3.23
- Q3
- 1.85
- Median
- 1.05
- Q1
- 0.78
- Min
- 0.22
CMCSA’s P/S Ratio of 0.97 aligns with the market consensus for the Media industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
LUMN
0.34
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 4.75
- Q3
- 2.60
- Median
- 1.62
- Q1
- 0.94
- Min
- 0.35
LUMN’s P/S Ratio of 0.34 falls below the typical floor for the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry. This could suggest the stock is overlooked or deeply undervalued relative to its sales, but may also reflect significant market concerns about its future.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
CMCSA
1.38
Media Industry
- Max
- 4.30
- Q3
- 2.57
- Median
- 1.83
- Q1
- 1.19
- Min
- 0.51
CMCSA’s P/B Ratio of 1.38 is within the conventional range for the Media 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.
LUMN
13.90
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 5.77
- Q3
- 3.45
- Median
- 2.10
- Q1
- 1.19
- Min
- 0.32
At 13.90, LUMN’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | CMCSA | LUMN |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 5.28 | -- |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 0.97 | 0.34 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 1.38 | 13.90 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 7.29 | 2.96 |