KT vs. TLK: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at KT and TLK, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
Both KT and TLK are American Depositary Receipts (ADRs). This provides U.S. investors with straightforward access to investing in these foreign-listed companies.
| Symbol | KT | TLK |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | KT Corporation | Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk |
| Country | South Korea | Indonesia |
| GICS Sector | Communication Services | Communication Services |
| GICS Industry | Diversified Telecommunication Services | Diversified Telecommunication Services |
| Market Capitalization | 9.73 billion USD | 19.35 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | May 26, 1999 | November 14, 1995 |
| Security Type | ADR | ADR |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of KT and TLK 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 | KT | TLK |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -2.17% | -2.46% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 4.84% | 15.27% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 16.43% | 20.08% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -10.58% | -9.32% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -1.81% | 10.07% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 23.60% | 16.97% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 0.23M | 169.01M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 0.32M | 114.99M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 22.92% | 33.73% |
| Beta | 0.06 | 1.22 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
KT
3.78%
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 35.96%
- Q3
- 14.90%
- Median
- 8.29%
- Q1
- -0.99%
- Min
- -18.19%
KT’s Return on Equity of 3.78% is on par with the norm for the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
TLK
16.39%
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 35.96%
- Q3
- 14.90%
- Median
- 8.29%
- Q1
- -0.99%
- Min
- -18.19%
In the upper quartile for the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry, TLK’s Return on Equity of 16.39% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
KT
2.38%
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 28.40%
- Q3
- 13.05%
- Median
- 6.85%
- Q1
- -0.81%
- Min
- -18.76%
KT’s Net Profit Margin of 2.38% 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.
TLK
15.48%
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 28.40%
- Q3
- 13.05%
- Median
- 6.85%
- Q1
- -0.81%
- Min
- -18.76%
A Net Profit Margin of 15.48% places TLK in the upper quartile for the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
KT
3.68%
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 37.46%
- Q3
- 22.24%
- Median
- 15.73%
- Q1
- 9.79%
- Min
- 2.06%
KT’s Operating Profit Margin of 3.68% is in the lower quartile for the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry. This indicates weaker profitability from core operations, which may stem from inefficiencies or competitive pressures on pricing.
TLK
27.94%
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 37.46%
- Q3
- 22.24%
- Median
- 15.73%
- Q1
- 9.79%
- Min
- 2.06%
An Operating Profit Margin of 27.94% places TLK in the upper quartile for the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | KT | TLK |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 3.78% | 16.39% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 1.49% | 7.76% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 2.38% | 15.48% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 3.68% | 27.94% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 65.55% | 66.80% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
KT
1.10
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 1.63
- Q3
- 1.14
- Median
- 0.92
- Q1
- 0.68
- Min
- 0.16
KT’s Current Ratio of 1.10 aligns with the median group of the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
TLK
0.71
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 1.63
- Q3
- 1.14
- Median
- 0.92
- Q1
- 0.68
- Min
- 0.16
TLK’s Current Ratio of 0.71 aligns with the median group of the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
KT
0.74
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 3.82
- Q3
- 2.06
- Median
- 1.32
- Q1
- 0.74
- Min
- 0.11
KT’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.74 is typical for the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
TLK
0.64
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 3.82
- Q3
- 2.06
- Median
- 1.32
- Q1
- 0.74
- Min
- 0.11
Falling into the lower quartile for the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry, TLK’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.64 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)
KT
12.43
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 14.66
- Q3
- 8.25
- Median
- 3.53
- Q1
- 1.47
- Min
- -2.60
KT’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 12.43 is in the upper quartile for the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.
TLK
12.14
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 14.66
- Q3
- 8.25
- Median
- 3.53
- Q1
- 1.47
- Min
- -2.60
TLK’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 12.14 is in the upper quartile for the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | KT | TLK |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.10 | 0.71 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.04 | 0.64 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.74 | 0.64 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 12.43 | 12.14 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
KT
6.53%
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 10.34%
- Q3
- 5.44%
- Median
- 3.89%
- Q1
- 1.73%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 6.53%, KT offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
TLK
6.54%
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 10.34%
- Q3
- 5.44%
- Median
- 3.89%
- Q1
- 1.73%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 6.54%, TLK offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
KT
63.49%
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 270.06%
- Q3
- 135.21%
- Median
- 76.62%
- Q1
- 35.06%
- Min
- 0.00%
KT’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 63.49% is within the typical range for the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
TLK
407.49%
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 270.06%
- Q3
- 135.21%
- Median
- 76.62%
- Q1
- 35.06%
- Min
- 0.00%
At 407.49%, TLK’s Dividend Payout Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical range for the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry. While this provides a significant return to shareholders, it may limit funds for reinvestment and could be difficult to sustain.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | KT | TLK |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 6.53% | 6.54% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 63.49% | 407.49% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
KT
21.05
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 33.39
- Q3
- 23.91
- Median
- 16.72
- Q1
- 13.00
- Min
- 4.13
KT’s P/E Ratio of 21.05 is within the middle range for the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
TLK
14.08
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 33.39
- Q3
- 23.91
- Median
- 16.72
- Q1
- 13.00
- Min
- 4.13
TLK’s P/E Ratio of 14.08 is within the middle range for the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
KT
0.50
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 4.75
- Q3
- 2.60
- Median
- 1.62
- Q1
- 0.94
- Min
- 0.35
In the lower quartile for the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry, KT’s P/S Ratio of 0.50 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.
TLK
2.18
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 4.75
- Q3
- 2.60
- Median
- 1.62
- Q1
- 0.94
- Min
- 0.35
TLK’s P/S Ratio of 2.18 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.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
KT
0.75
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 5.77
- Q3
- 3.45
- Median
- 2.10
- Q1
- 1.19
- Min
- 0.32
KT’s P/B Ratio of 0.75 is in the lower quartile for the Diversified 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.
TLK
2.09
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 5.77
- Q3
- 3.45
- Median
- 2.10
- Q1
- 1.19
- Min
- 0.32
TLK’s P/B Ratio of 2.09 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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | KT | TLK |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 21.05 | 14.08 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 0.50 | 2.18 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 0.75 | 2.09 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 6.78 | 9.05 |