Telephone and Data Systems Inc
NYSE: TDS · COMMUNICATION SERVICES · TELECOM SERVICES
Updated 2026-04-29
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: 113.64x
P/S Ratio — History
Current: 4.11x
Is TDS overvalued in 2026?
Telephone and Data Systems Inc (TDS) currently trades at $44.32 per share with a market capitalization of $5,045,563,000.00. Based on our multi-factor framework, the stock appears richly valued with a Smart Value Score of 38/100. 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 113.6x, above its 5-year median of 113.6x. 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 more expensive than 55% of the last 5Y on P/E. This places it in the 55th 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 38/100. 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 in 2026?
Based on a Smart Value Score of 38/100, TDS appears overvalued. Current price exceeds what fundamentals currently justify.
What is TDS's fair value?
Standard DCF is unreliable for TDS due to its current profitability profile. Revenue-based approaches such as EV/Sales or 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 113.6x on trailing twelve-month earnings, compared to its 5-year median of 113.6x.
Is TDS a buy based on valuation?
WallStSmart does not issue buy or sell recommendations. Our Smart Value Score of 38/100 reflects the combined read on growth, quality, and price. The profile skews cautious. Consider waiting for a better price or clearer operational improvement.
How does TDS's valuation compare to its history?
On P/E, TDS currently sits in the 55th percentile of its own 5Y range. That is above its long-run median relative to where it has traded over the period.
What is TDS's Smart Value Score?
TDS's Smart Value Score is 38/100. The Smart Value Score is a proprietary WallStSmart metric blending growth quality, financial health, and valuation attractiveness into a single 0-100 read. Scores above 75 are rare and indicate strong multi-factor alignment.