META vs. VZ: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Here’s a clear look at META and VZ, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | META | VZ |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Meta Platforms, Inc. | Verizon Communications Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Communication Services | Communication Services |
| GICS Industry Group | Media & Entertainment | Telecommunication Services |
| GICS Industry | Interactive Media & Services | Diversified Telecommunication Services |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Interactive Media & Services | Integrated Telecommunication Services |
| Market Capitalization | 1,520.16 billion USD | 197.23 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NYSE |
| Listing Date | May 18, 2012 | November 21, 1983 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
META’s market capitalization (1,520.16 billion USD) is substantially larger than VZ’s (197.23 billion USD), indicating a significant difference in their market valuations.
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of META and VZ 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 | META | VZ |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -1.01% | -0.23% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -9.46% | 1.99% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -6.09% | 19.66% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 1.08% | 8.30% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -2.13% | -1.67% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -9.28% | 15.96% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 19.88M | 21.77M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 15.96M | 29.71M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 39.46% | 21.42% |
| Beta | 1.23 | 0.22 |
META’s beta of 1.23 points to significantly higher volatility compared to VZ (beta: 0.22), suggesting META has greater potential for both gains and losses relative to market movements.
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
META
33.22%
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 60.60%
- Q3
- 25.22%
- Median
- 7.12%
- Q1
- -1.11%
- Min
- -40.13%
In the upper quartile for the Interactive Media & Services industry, META’s Return on Equity of 33.22% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
VZ
16.68%
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 29.66%
- Q3
- 18.17%
- Median
- 9.03%
- Q1
- -6.21%
- Min
- -30.27%
VZ’s Return on Equity of 16.68% is on par with the norm for the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
META
32.84%
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 37.92%
- Q3
- 15.96%
- Median
- 5.64%
- Q1
- -1.39%
- Min
- -21.01%
A Net Profit Margin of 32.84% places META in the upper quartile for the Interactive Media & Services industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
VZ
12.46%
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 26.08%
- Q3
- 13.61%
- Median
- 6.13%
- Q1
- -8.60%
- Min
- -18.67%
VZ’s Net Profit Margin of 12.46% 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.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
META
41.21%
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 41.21%
- Q3
- 23.21%
- Median
- 6.85%
- Q1
- 1.55%
- Min
- -6.28%
An Operating Profit Margin of 41.21% places META in the upper quartile for the Interactive Media & Services industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
VZ
21.09%
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 26.95%
- Q3
- 20.13%
- Median
- 9.28%
- Q1
- 0.92%
- Min
- -11.26%
An Operating Profit Margin of 21.09% places VZ 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 | META | VZ |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 33.22% | 16.68% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 20.76% | 4.35% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 32.84% | 12.46% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 41.21% | 21.09% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 81.94% | 58.91% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
META
2.35
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 4.23
- Q3
- 2.93
- Median
- 1.82
- Q1
- 1.28
- Min
- 0.51
META’s Current Ratio of 2.35 aligns with the median group of the Interactive Media & Services industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
VZ
0.64
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 2.85
- Q3
- 1.95
- Median
- 1.20
- Q1
- 0.82
- Min
- 0.42
VZ’s Current Ratio of 0.64 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.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
META
0.24
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 1.88
- Q3
- 0.93
- Median
- 0.34
- Q1
- 0.02
- Min
- 0.00
META’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.24 is typical for the Interactive Media & Services industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
VZ
1.67
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 4.51
- Q3
- 2.88
- Median
- 1.36
- Q1
- 0.63
- Min
- 0.00
VZ’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.67 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.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
META
168.41
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 16.20
- Q3
- 10.30
- Median
- 4.47
- Q1
- -0.69
- Min
- -14.63
With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 168.41, META demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Interactive Media & Services industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.
VZ
4.57
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 12.14
- Q3
- 8.07
- Median
- 1.97
- Q1
- -0.17
- Min
- -7.18
VZ’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 4.57 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | META | VZ |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 2.35 | 0.64 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 2.11 | 0.50 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.24 | 1.67 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 168.41 | 4.57 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Revenue Growth at a Glance
| Symbol | META | VZ |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (MRQ vs Prior YoY) | 33.08% | 2.85% |
| Revenue Growth (TTM vs Prior YoY) | 26.18% | 2.85% |
| 3-Year Revenue CAGR | 19.89% | 0.33% |
| 5-Year Revenue CAGR | 18.51% | 1.50% |
EPS Growth
EPS Growth at a Glance
| Symbol | META | VZ |
|---|---|---|
| EPS Growth (MRQ vs Prior YoY) | 62.49% | 3.79% |
| EPS Growth (TTM vs Prior YoY) | 7.49% | -2.49% |
| 3-Year EPS CAGR | 39.86% | -7.06% |
| 5-Year EPS CAGR | 18.41% | -1.14% |
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
META
0.35%
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
META’s Dividend Yield of 0.35% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the Interactive Media & Services industry. While this may seem attractive, an unusually high yield can sometimes be a warning sign, reflecting a falling stock price or market concerns about the dividend’s sustainability.
VZ
5.86%
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 7.18%
- Q3
- 5.27%
- Median
- 3.12%
- Q1
- 0.06%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 5.86%, VZ 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)
META
7.57%
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
At 7.57%, META’s Dividend Payout Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical range for the Interactive Media & Services industry. While this provides a significant return to shareholders, it may limit funds for reinvestment and could be difficult to sustain.
VZ
66.52%
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 146.27%
- Q3
- 82.69%
- Median
- 35.46%
- Q1
- 3.69%
- Min
- 0.00%
VZ’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 66.52% is within the typical range for the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | META | VZ |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.35% | 5.86% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 7.57% | 66.52% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
META
21.92
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 60.45
- Q3
- 33.20
- Median
- 22.93
- Q1
- 12.62
- Min
- 6.35
META’s P/E Ratio of 21.92 is within the middle range for the Interactive Media & 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.
VZ
11.35
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 43.09
- Q3
- 22.18
- Median
- 13.48
- Q1
- 8.17
- Min
- 2.11
VZ’s P/E Ratio of 11.35 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)
META
7.20
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 12.41
- Q3
- 6.93
- Median
- 1.82
- Q1
- 0.89
- Min
- 0.35
META’s P/S Ratio of 7.20 is in the upper echelon for the Interactive Media & Services industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.
VZ
1.41
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 2.47
- Q3
- 2.26
- Median
- 1.37
- Q1
- 0.94
- Min
- 0.51
VZ’s P/S Ratio of 1.41 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)
META
5.94
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 10.00
- Q3
- 5.94
- Median
- 2.63
- Q1
- 1.11
- Min
- 0.64
META’s P/B Ratio of 5.94 is within the conventional range for the Interactive Media & 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.
VZ
2.03
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 6.26
- Q3
- 5.84
- Median
- 2.21
- Q1
- 1.48
- Min
- 0.29
VZ’s P/B Ratio of 2.03 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 | META | VZ |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 21.92 | 11.35 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 7.20 | 1.41 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 5.94 | 2.03 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 32.07 | 9.91 |