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AT&T (T) vs. Verizon Communications (VZ)

This page compares AT&T (T) with Verizon Communications (VZ) using performance and risk, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividends, and valuation metrics.

Company Profile

AT&T (T) and Verizon Communications (VZ) are both classified in the Integrated Telecommunication Services sub-industry within the broader Diversified Telecommunication Services industry, placing them in the closest GICS peer bucket.

SymbolTVZ
NameAT&T Inc.Verizon Communications Inc.
Country/RegionUnited StatesUnited States
GICS SectorCommunication ServicesCommunication Services
GICS Industry GroupTelecommunication ServicesTelecommunication Services
GICS IndustryDiversified Telecommunication ServicesDiversified Telecommunication Services
GICS Sub-IndustryIntegrated Telecommunication ServicesIntegrated Telecommunication Services
Market Capitalization172.32 billion USD199.63 billion USD
CurrencyUSDUSD
ExchangeNYSENYSE
Listing DateNovember 21, 1983November 21, 1983
Security TypeCommon StockCommon Stock

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

AT&T (T) at 8.16 trades in the lower-multiple quartile for Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM), while Verizon Communications (VZ) at 11.66 sits around the industry midpoint — T has a lower trailing earnings multiple relative to peers, though the gap should be read alongside growth and earnings quality.

T

Telecommunication Services industry group

8.16

Max
29.19
Q3
21.56
Median
14.72
Q1
8.51
Min
2.52

VZ

Telecommunication Services industry group

11.66

Max
29.19
Q3
21.56
Median
14.72
Q1
8.51
Min
2.52
AT&T (T) vs. Verizon Communications (VZ): A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against the Telecommunication Services industry group benchmark.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

On Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM), both AT&T (T) at 1.36 and Verizon Communications (VZ) at 1.43 are priced roughly in line with their industries — neither looks cheap nor rich on a sales basis.

T

Telecommunication Services industry group

1.36

Max
3.57
Q3
2.29
Median
0.94
Q1
0.41
Min
0.00

VZ

Telecommunication Services industry group

1.43

Max
3.57
Q3
2.29
Median
0.94
Q1
0.41
Min
0.00
AT&T (T) vs. Verizon Communications (VZ): A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against the Telecommunication Services industry group benchmark.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

On Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ), both AT&T (T) at 1.58 and Verizon Communications (VZ) at 1.93 are valued close to their industries’ norm against book — neither stands out from peers.

T

Telecommunication Services industry group

1.58

Max
10.78
Q3
4.80
Median
2.00
Q1
0.73
Min
0.01

VZ

Telecommunication Services industry group

1.93

Max
10.78
Q3
4.80
Median
2.00
Q1
0.73
Min
0.01
AT&T (T) vs. Verizon Communications (VZ): A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against the Telecommunication Services industry group benchmark.

Valuation at a Glance

SymbolTVZ
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)8.1611.66
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)1.361.43
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)1.581.93
Free Cash Flow Yield5.14%9.82%

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

AT&T (T) at 18.37% ranks in the top quartile for Return on Equity (TTM), ahead of Verizon Communications (VZ) at 17.20%, which sits closer to the industry mid-range.

T

Telecommunication Services industry group

18.37%

Max
42.72%
Q3
17.95%
Median
6.68%
Q1
-17.20%
Min
-47.97%

VZ

Telecommunication Services industry group

17.20%

Max
42.72%
Q3
17.95%
Median
6.68%
Q1
-17.20%
Min
-47.97%
AT&T (T) vs. Verizon Communications (VZ): A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against the Telecommunication Services industry group benchmark.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

For every dollar of sales, both AT&T (T) at 16.94% and Verizon Communications (VZ) at 12.46% retain more as net profit than most peers, landing in the top Net Profit Margin (TTM) quartile of their industries.

T

Telecommunication Services industry group

16.94%

Max
41.74%
Q3
12.36%
Median
5.02%
Q1
-11.20%
Min
-31.47%

VZ

Telecommunication Services industry group

12.46%

Max
41.74%
Q3
12.36%
Median
5.02%
Q1
-11.20%
Min
-31.47%
AT&T (T) vs. Verizon Communications (VZ): A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against the Telecommunication Services industry group benchmark.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

Both AT&T (T) at 22.72% and Verizon Communications (VZ) at 25.19% squeeze more operating profit from each sales dollar than most peers, ranking in the top Operating Profit Margin (TTM) quartile of their industries.

T

Telecommunication Services industry group

22.72%

Max
35.60%
Q3
21.32%
Median
12.69%
Q1
4.41%
Min
-8.71%

VZ

Telecommunication Services industry group

25.19%

Max
35.60%
Q3
21.32%
Median
12.69%
Q1
4.41%
Min
-8.71%
AT&T (T) vs. Verizon Communications (VZ): A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against the Telecommunication Services industry group benchmark.

Profitability at a Glance

SymbolTVZ
Return on Equity (TTM)18.37%17.20%
Return on Assets (TTM)4.12%5.08%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)16.94%12.46%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)22.72%25.19%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)59.41%58.91%

Growth

Revenue Growth

AT&T (T) vs. Verizon Communications (VZ): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

Revenue Growth at a Glance

SymbolTVZ
1-Year Revenue Growth2.71%2.52%
3-Year Revenue CAGR1.34%0.33%

EPS Growth

AT&T (T) vs. Verizon Communications (VZ): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth at a Glance

SymbolTVZ
1-Year EPS Growth104.03%-1.93%
3-Year EPS CAGR---7.08%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

AT&T (T) at 0.92 keeps Current Ratio (MRQ) within its industry mid-range, while Verizon Communications (VZ) at 0.64 runs in the tighter-liquidity quartile — a thinner cushion against current liabilities for VZ.

T

Telecommunication Services industry group

0.92

Max
2.39
Q3
1.64
Median
1.11
Q1
0.92
Min
0.25

VZ

Telecommunication Services industry group

0.64

Max
2.39
Q3
1.64
Median
1.11
Q1
0.92
Min
0.25
AT&T (T) vs. Verizon Communications (VZ): A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against the Telecommunication Services industry group benchmark.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

Both AT&T (T) at 1.25 and Verizon Communications (VZ) at 1.92 post Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) near their industry mid-ranges, so neither company stands out strongly from peers on leverage.

T

Telecommunication Services industry group

1.25

Max
3.82
Q3
2.12
Median
1.02
Q1
0.65
Min
0.00

VZ

Telecommunication Services industry group

1.92

Max
3.82
Q3
2.12
Median
1.02
Q1
0.65
Min
0.00
AT&T (T) vs. Verizon Communications (VZ): A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against the Telecommunication Services industry group benchmark.

Financial Strength at a Glance

SymbolTVZ
Current Ratio (MRQ)0.920.64
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)1.251.92
Net Debt / EBITDA3.333.77

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

Both AT&T (T) at 4.48% and Verizon Communications (VZ) at 5.92% report Dividend Yield (TTM) near their industry mid-ranges, so neither company stands out strongly from peers on cash yield relative to share price.

T

Telecommunication Services industry group

4.48%

Max
10.84%
Q3
5.92%
Median
3.82%
Q1
2.23%
Min
0.29%

VZ

Telecommunication Services industry group

5.92%

Max
10.84%
Q3
5.92%
Median
3.82%
Q1
2.23%
Min
0.29%
AT&T (T) vs. Verizon Communications (VZ): A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against the Telecommunication Services industry group benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

AT&T (T) at 36.51% maintains Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) around its industry median — a balanced dividend policy. Verizon Communications (VZ) at 67.44% sits outside the typical mid-range, leaning toward more retention or more distribution than the industry median.

T

Telecommunication Services industry group

36.51%

Max
149.01%
Q3
60.13%
Median
7.56%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

VZ

Telecommunication Services industry group

67.44%

Max
149.01%
Q3
60.13%
Median
7.56%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
AT&T (T) vs. Verizon Communications (VZ): A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against the Telecommunication Services industry group benchmark.

Dividends at a Glance

SymbolTVZ
Dividend Yield (TTM)4.48%5.92%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)36.51%67.44%

Performance & Risk

T
VZ
Loading price history…
AT&T (T) vs. Verizon Communications (VZ): Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past five years. Adjusted for dividends and splits.

Performance & Risk at a Glance

SymbolTVZ
1-Year Return-5.47%17.77%
1-Year Volatility21.49%22.20%
Beta0.200.24
3-Month Avg. Volume39.73M24.78M