Telephone and Data Systems Inc
NYSE: TDS · COMMUNICATION SERVICES · TELECOM SERVICES
Updated 2026-06-05
Telephone and Data Systems Inc (TDS) Stock Valuation Analysis
Fair value estimate, historical valuation range, and quality signals for TDS.
Current price exceeds what fundamentals support. Risk/reward skewed unfavorably.
TDS historical valuation range
Where current P/E sits in TDS's own 5Y range.
TDS intrinsic value (DCF)
DCF-based fair value estimate vs current market price.
Standard discounted cash flow models produce unreliable output for unprofitable or near-breakeven companies. Revenue-based multiples such as P/S and EV/Sales, combined with the historical valuation position above, give a more reliable read for this stock.
Intrinsic value calculated using discounted cash flow (DCF) model based on projected free cash flows, discount rate, and terminal growth assumptions. A positive margin of safety indicates the current price is below estimated fair value, providing a cushion against estimation error.
TDS valuation signals
Quick-read green flags, caution flags, and risks based on current metrics.
P/E Ratio — History
Current: 23.62x
P/S Ratio — History
Current: 3.67x
Is TDS overvalued in 2026?
Telephone and Data Systems Inc (TDS) currently trades at $43.31 per share with a market capitalization of $4,571,078,000.00. Based on our multi-factor framework, the stock appears richly valued with a Smart Value Score of 45/100. This score blends growth quality, financial health, and price attractiveness into a single institutional-grade read.
The stock trades at a P/E ratio of 23.6x, below its 5-year median of 25.5x. The PEG ratio of 7.79 indicates the price has run ahead of the underlying growth rate.
Looking at its own history, TDS is currently trading cheaper than 53% of the last 5Y on P/E. This places it in the 47th percentile of its historical range, a reasonable but unremarkable position.
A standard DCF model does not produce reliable output for TDS under current conditions. For unprofitable or near-breakeven companies, revenue-based multiples such as EV/Sales and historical P/S percentile are more informative than intrinsic value calculations.
The Piotroski F-Score of 4/9 puts financial quality in a middling range, neither a standout strength nor an obvious red flag.
Bottom line: TDS appears richly valued on our framework, with a Smart Value Score of 45/100. At current levels the risk/reward is skewed against the buyer. A materially lower price or significant operational improvement would be needed to change the picture.
Frequently asked questions
Is TDS overvalued?
TDS scores 45/100 on our Smart Value Score (Grade C), a weak overall profile. A standard DCF is unreliable here given the profitability profile, so valuation leans on revenue-based measures like EV/Sales and the P/S percentile below.
What is TDS's fair value?
A standard DCF is unreliable for TDS given its current profitability profile. Revenue-based approaches like EV/Sales or the historical P/S percentile are more informative for this stock.
What P/E ratio does TDS trade at?
TDS trades at a P/E of 23.6x on trailing twelve-month earnings, against a 5-year median of 25.5x. P/E is what you pay per dollar of profit, and sitting below its own median means the stock is cheaper than usual relative to its earnings.
Is TDS a buy based on valuation?
Our Smart Value rating for TDS is Sell, from a Smart Value Score of 45/100 that blends growth, quality, and valuation. The profile skews cautious, and a better price or clearer operating improvement would strengthen the case. This is research to inform your decision, not personalized financial advice.
How does TDS's valuation compare to its history?
On P/E, TDS sits in the 47th percentile of its own 5Y range, below its long-run median relative to where it has traded. A low percentile means today's multiple is near the bottom of its historical band.
What is TDS's Smart Value Score?
TDS's Smart Value Score is 45/100. It is a proprietary WallStSmart metric blending growth quality, financial health, and valuation into a single 0-100 read, and scores above 75 are rare, signaling strong multi-factor alignment.