SBS vs. VIV: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on August 23, 2025

Here’s a clear look at SBS and VIV, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Profile

Both SBS and VIV are American Depositary Receipts (ADRs). This provides U.S. investors with straightforward access to investing in these foreign-listed companies.

Symbol	SBS	VIV
Company Name	Companhia de Saneamento Básico do Estado de São Paulo - SABESP	Telefônica Brasil S.A.
Country	Brazil	Brazil
GICS Sector	Utilities	Communication Services
GICS Industry	Water Utilities	Diversified Telecommunication Services
Market Capitalization	15.17 billion USD	20.43 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	May 10, 2002	November 16, 1998
Security Type	ADR	ADR

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of SBS and VIV 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.

SBS vs. VIV: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	SBS	VIV
5-Day Price Return	-3.81%	2.45%
13-Week Price Return	-3.43%	22.29%
26-Week Price Return	17.52%	29.61%
52-Week Price Return	16.82%	33.12%
Month-to-Date Return	6.39%	7.69%
Year-to-Date Return	30.20%	44.96%
10-Day Avg. Volume	3.54M	5.80M
3-Month Avg. Volume	3.13M	6.41M
3-Month Volatility	30.98%	17.57%
Beta	0.89	0.94

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

SBS

28.24%

Water Utilities Industry

Max: 14.76%
Q3: 13.44%
Median: 10.08%
Q1: 6.84%
Min: 5.11%

SBS’s Return on Equity of 28.24% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Water Utilities industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.

VIV

8.49%

Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry

Max: 35.96%
Q3: 14.90%
Median: 8.29%
Q1: -0.99%
Min: -18.19%

VIV’s Return on Equity of 8.49% is on par with the norm for the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

SBS vs. VIV: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Water Utilities and Diversified Telecommunication Services industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

SBS

33.53%

Water Utilities Industry

Max: 33.53%
Q3: 23.04%
Median: 13.50%
Q1: 8.95%
Min: -3.68%

A Net Profit Margin of 33.53% places SBS in the upper quartile for the Water Utilities industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

VIV

10.12%

Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry

Max: 28.40%
Q3: 13.05%
Median: 6.85%
Q1: -0.81%
Min: -18.76%

VIV’s Net Profit Margin of 10.12% 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.

SBS vs. VIV: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Water Utilities and Diversified Telecommunication Services industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

SBS

54.67%

Water Utilities Industry

Max: 54.67%
Q3: 39.13%
Median: 31.40%
Q1: 24.32%
Min: 7.04%

An Operating Profit Margin of 54.67% places SBS in the upper quartile for the Water Utilities industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.

VIV

15.53%

Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry

Max: 37.46%
Q3: 22.24%
Median: 15.73%
Q1: 9.79%
Min: 2.06%

VIV’s Operating Profit Margin of 15.53% is around the midpoint for the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

SBS vs. VIV: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Water Utilities and Diversified Telecommunication Services industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	SBS	VIV
Return on Equity (TTM)	28.24%	8.49%
Return on Assets (TTM)	13.32%	4.65%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	33.53%	10.12%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	54.67%	15.53%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	16.67%	44.00%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

SBS

1.09

Water Utilities Industry

Max: 1.94
Q3: 1.40
Median: 1.09
Q1: 0.77
Min: 0.38

SBS’s Current Ratio of 1.09 aligns with the median group of the Water Utilities industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

VIV

0.98

Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry

Max: 1.63
Q3: 1.14
Median: 0.92
Q1: 0.68
Min: 0.16

VIV’s Current Ratio of 0.98 aligns with the median group of the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

SBS vs. VIV: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Water Utilities and Diversified Telecommunication Services industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

SBS

0.72

Water Utilities Industry

Max: 5.48
Q3: 3.71
Median: 1.82
Q1: 0.96
Min: 0.58

Falling into the lower quartile for the Water Utilities industry, SBS’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.72 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.

VIV

0.30

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, VIV’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.30 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.

SBS vs. VIV: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Water Utilities and Diversified Telecommunication Services industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

SBS

17.26

Water Utilities Industry

Max: 5.04
Q3: 4.65
Median: 3.25
Q1: 2.23
Min: 0.58

With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 17.26, SBS demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Water Utilities industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.

VIV

7.87

Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry

Max: 14.66
Q3: 8.25
Median: 3.53
Q1: 1.47
Min: -2.60

VIV’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 7.87 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

SBS vs. VIV: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Water Utilities and Diversified Telecommunication Services industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	SBS	VIV
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.09	0.98
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	1.08	0.83
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.72	0.30
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	17.26	7.87

Growth

Revenue Growth

SBS vs. VIV: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

SBS vs. VIV: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

SBS

1.18%

Water Utilities Industry

Max: 5.64%
Q3: 5.51%
Median: 4.50%
Q1: 2.37%
Min: 0.00%

SBS’s Dividend Yield of 1.18% is in the lower quartile for the Water Utilities industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.

VIV

2.37%

Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry

Max: 10.34%
Q3: 5.44%
Median: 3.89%
Q1: 1.73%
Min: 0.00%

VIV’s Dividend Yield of 2.37% is consistent with its peers in the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

SBS vs. VIV: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Water Utilities and Diversified Telecommunication Services industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

SBS

12.69%

Water Utilities Industry

Max: 324.59%
Q3: 254.46%
Median: 142.60%
Q1: 57.04%
Min: 12.69%

SBS’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 12.69% is in the lower quartile for the Water Utilities industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.

VIV

44.23%

Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry

Max: 270.06%
Q3: 135.21%
Median: 76.62%
Q1: 35.06%
Min: 0.00%

VIV’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 44.23% is within the typical range for the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

SBS vs. VIV: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Water Utilities and Diversified Telecommunication Services industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	SBS	VIV
Dividend Yield (TTM)	1.18%	2.37%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	12.69%	44.23%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

SBS

7.69

Water Utilities Industry

Max: 34.48
Q3: 27.82
Median: 18.45
Q1: 14.12
Min: 7.14

In the lower quartile for the Water Utilities industry, SBS’s P/E Ratio of 7.69 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.

VIV

18.68

Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry

Max: 33.39
Q3: 23.91
Median: 16.72
Q1: 13.00
Min: 4.13

VIV’s P/E Ratio of 18.68 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.

SBS vs. VIV: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Water Utilities and Diversified Telecommunication Services industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

SBS

2.58

Water Utilities Industry

Max: 5.86
Q3: 3.76
Median: 2.73
Q1: 2.16
Min: 1.04

SBS’s P/S Ratio of 2.58 aligns with the market consensus for the Water Utilities industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

VIV

1.89

Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry

Max: 4.75
Q3: 2.60
Median: 1.62
Q1: 0.94
Min: 0.35

VIV’s P/S Ratio of 1.89 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.

SBS vs. VIV: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Water Utilities and Diversified Telecommunication Services industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

SBS

1.82

Water Utilities Industry

Max: 4.29
Q3: 3.24
Median: 1.73
Q1: 1.09
Min: 0.65

SBS’s P/B Ratio of 1.82 is within the conventional range for the Water Utilities 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.

VIV

1.48

Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry

Max: 5.77
Q3: 3.45
Median: 2.10
Q1: 1.19
Min: 0.32

VIV’s P/B Ratio of 1.48 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.

SBS vs. VIV: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Water Utilities and Diversified Telecommunication Services industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	SBS	VIV
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	7.69	18.68
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	2.58	1.89
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	1.82	1.48
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	39.10	10.45