SKM vs. TU: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at SKM and TU, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
SKM trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors a convenient way to access its foreign-listed shares. In contrast, TU is a standard domestic listing.
| Symbol | SKM | TU |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | SK Telecom Co., Ltd. | TELUS Corporation |
| Country | South Korea | Canada |
| GICS Sector | Communication Services | Communication Services |
| GICS Industry | Wireless Telecommunication Services | Diversified Telecommunication Services |
| Market Capitalization | 8.32 billion USD | 23.96 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | June 27, 1996 | June 11, 1996 |
| Security Type | ADR | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of SKM and TU 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 | SKM | TU |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -0.91% | -0.37% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -5.56% | -1.23% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -2.33% | 6.41% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 4.52% | -3.25% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 0.18% | -0.78% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -1.45% | 11.60% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 0.60M | 4.17M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 0.71M | 3.68M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 16.16% | 13.95% |
| Beta | 0.33 | 0.33 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
SKM
8.61%
Wireless Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 27.45%
- Q3
- 19.26%
- Median
- 13.73%
- Q1
- 9.72%
- Min
- -1.57%
SKM’s Return on Equity of 8.61% is in the lower quartile for the Wireless Telecommunication Services industry. This indicates a less efficient generation of profit from its equity base when compared to its competitors.
TU
6.21%
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 34.76%
- Q3
- 16.39%
- Median
- 9.92%
- Q1
- 1.36%
- Min
- -10.54%
TU’s Return on Equity of 6.21% 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)
SKM
5.68%
Wireless Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 23.76%
- Q3
- 13.90%
- Median
- 10.68%
- Q1
- 5.59%
- Min
- -1.18%
SKM’s Net Profit Margin of 5.68% 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.
TU
4.73%
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 28.40%
- Q3
- 13.17%
- Median
- 7.18%
- Q1
- 1.75%
- Min
- -14.73%
TU’s Net Profit Margin of 4.73% 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)
SKM
8.96%
Wireless Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 29.85%
- Q3
- 23.51%
- Median
- 20.15%
- Q1
- 16.37%
- Min
- 8.96%
SKM’s Operating Profit Margin of 8.96% 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.
TU
12.11%
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 37.46%
- Q3
- 22.24%
- Median
- 14.86%
- Q1
- 9.46%
- Min
- -9.42%
TU’s Operating Profit Margin of 12.11% is around the midpoint for the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | SKM | TU |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 8.61% | 6.21% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 3.40% | 1.65% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 5.68% | 4.73% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 8.96% | 12.11% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 96.23% | 62.94% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
SKM
1.03
Wireless Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 1.26
- Q3
- 0.98
- Median
- 0.71
- Q1
- 0.56
- Min
- 0.37
SKM’s Current Ratio of 1.03 is in the upper quartile for the Wireless Telecommunication Services industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.
TU
0.86
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 1.53
- Q3
- 1.09
- Median
- 0.91
- Q1
- 0.70
- Min
- 0.18
TU’s Current Ratio of 0.86 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)
SKM
0.90
Wireless Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 2.80
- Q3
- 2.17
- Median
- 1.52
- Q1
- 0.93
- Min
- 0.48
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.
TU
2.18
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 3.82
- Q3
- 2.13
- Median
- 1.40
- Q1
- 0.71
- Min
- 0.00
TU’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 2.18. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
SKM
8.33
Wireless Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 12.67
- Q3
- 6.47
- Median
- 3.79
- Q1
- 1.76
- Min
- -0.02
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.
TU
1.88
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 16.05
- Q3
- 8.06
- Median
- 3.53
- Q1
- 1.36
- Min
- -2.60
TU’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 1.88 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 | SKM | TU |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.03 | 0.86 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.73 | 0.76 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.90 | 2.18 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 8.33 | 1.88 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
SKM
6.95%
Wireless Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 8.69%
- Q3
- 5.44%
- Median
- 3.79%
- Q1
- 2.67%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 6.95%, 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.
TU
4.73%
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 10.69%
- Q3
- 5.66%
- Median
- 4.23%
- Q1
- 1.76%
- Min
- 0.00%
TU’s Dividend Yield of 4.73% is consistent with its peers in the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
SKM
123.96%
Wireless Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 169.59%
- Q3
- 122.96%
- Median
- 73.67%
- Q1
- 63.98%
- Min
- 1.50%
SKM’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 123.96% is in the upper quartile for the Wireless Telecommunication Services industry. This indicates a strong commitment to shareholder returns but also suggests that a smaller portion of earnings is retained for reinvestment compared to many peers.
TU
163.46%
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 273.77%
- Q3
- 134.61%
- Median
- 76.89%
- Q1
- 41.79%
- Min
- 0.00%
TU’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 163.46% is in the upper quartile for the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry. This indicates a strong commitment to shareholder returns but also suggests that a smaller portion of earnings is retained for reinvestment compared to many peers.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | SKM | TU |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 6.95% | 4.73% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 123.96% | 163.46% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
SKM
11.42
Wireless Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 31.43
- Q3
- 21.97
- Median
- 16.89
- Q1
- 12.46
- Min
- 7.52
In the lower quartile for the Wireless Telecommunication Services industry, SKM’s P/E Ratio of 11.42 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
TU
34.56
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 42.43
- Q3
- 27.51
- Median
- 18.10
- Q1
- 13.52
- Min
- 4.10
A P/E Ratio of 34.56 places TU in the upper quartile for the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
SKM
0.65
Wireless Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 3.65
- Q3
- 2.21
- Median
- 1.32
- Q1
- 1.17
- Min
- 0.62
In the lower quartile for the Wireless Telecommunication Services industry, SKM’s P/S Ratio of 0.65 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.
TU
1.63
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 4.55
- Q3
- 2.45
- Median
- 1.74
- Q1
- 0.98
- Min
- 0.36
TU’s P/S Ratio of 1.63 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)
SKM
1.02
Wireless Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 4.87
- Q3
- 2.86
- Median
- 2.07
- Q1
- 1.40
- Min
- 0.40
SKM’s P/B Ratio of 1.02 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.
TU
2.18
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 7.27
- Q3
- 3.97
- Median
- 2.45
- Q1
- 1.25
- Min
- 0.27
TU’s P/B Ratio of 2.18 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 | SKM | TU |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 11.42 | 34.56 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 0.65 | 1.63 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 1.02 | 2.18 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 3.84 | 31.44 |