TDS-PU - Telephone and Dat... Stock Analysis | Stock Taper
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Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.

TDS-PU

Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. NYSE
$22.15 0.00% (+0.00)

Market Cap $4.41 B
52w High $23.87
52w Low $18.71
Dividend Yield 7.59%
Frequency Quarterly
P/E 24.94
Volume 38.27K
Outstanding Shares 198.32M

Income Statement

Period Revenue Operating Expense Net Income Net Profit Margin Earnings Per Share EBITDA
Q4-2025 $330.71M $0 $56.47M 17.08% $0.34 $187.41M
Q3-2025 $308.52M $141.68M $-81.75M -26.5% $0.35 $140.65M
Q2-2025 $1.19B $654M $12M 1.01% $-0.04 $275M
Q1-2025 $1.15B $661M $7M 0.61% $-0.09 $315M
Q4-2024 $1.24B $640M $6M 0.48% $-0.1 $323M

What's going well?

The company returned to profitability, with net income jumping to $56.5 million from a big loss last quarter. Revenue is growing steadily, and interest expenses dropped sharply, helping the bottom line.

What's concerning?

Gross profit and margins collapsed, leaving very little cushion if costs rise further. The business is now extremely low-margin, which could make future profits hard to sustain if costs aren't controlled.

Balance Statement

Period Cash & Short-term Total Assets Total Liabilities Total Equity
Q4-2025 $765.95M $8.4B $3.13B $5.27B
Q3-2025 $932.99M $8.53B $3.25B $4.47B
Q2-2025 $540M $13.53B $7.7B $5B
Q1-2025 $348M $13.54B $7.67B $5.08B
Q4-2024 $364M $13.68B $7.8B $5.09B

What's financially strong about this company?

The company has much more equity than debt, a healthy current ratio, and most assets are tangible. Most debt is long-term, so there are no big near-term repayment pressures.

What are the financial risks or weaknesses?

Cash is dropping quickly while debt is rising fast, which could become a problem if the trend continues. Working capital is under pressure and the company is taking longer to collect from customers and pay suppliers.

Cash Flow Statement

Period Net Income Cash From Operations Cash From Investing Cash From Financing Net Change Free Cash Flow
Q4-2025 $55.23M $19.58M $-84.62M $-102M $-171.24M $-113.07M
Q3-2025 $57.55M $-34.69M $2.49B $-2.08B $378.19M $-10.75M
Q2-2025 $18M $421M $-141M $-92M $188M $262M
Q1-2025 $12M $186M $-123M $-76M $-13M $55M
Q4-2024 $8M $212M $-174M $-126M $-88M $-20M

Revenue by Products

Product Q4-2024Q1-2025Q2-2025Q4-2025
Product
Product
$230.00M $160.00M $190.00M $0
Service
Service
$1.00Bn $1.00Bn $1.00Bn $0

Q4 2025 Earnings Call Summary

Read Call Summary

5-Year Trend Analysis

A comprehensive look at Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.'s financial evolution and strategic trajectory over the past five years.

+ Strengths

Key strengths include a substantial network and asset base, consistent ability to generate strong operating cash flows, and entrenched positions in smaller, underserved markets. Historically, the company has enjoyed solid gross margins and healthy EBITDA from its operations, even when reported earnings were weak. The strategic pivot away from capital‑heavy wireless retail toward fiber broadband and towers aligns the business with more infrastructure‑like, potentially more stable revenue streams. Access to government broadband programs, a reputation for local service, and a focused presence in rural and suburban communities all support its long‑term strategic positioning.

! Risks

Major risks are centered on financial and execution challenges. The income statement shows a history of large losses, goodwill impairments, and now a complete collapse in reported revenue for the latest period, pointing to significant structural change and uncertainty. Rising leverage, reduced liquidity, and shrinking retained earnings limit the company’s margin of safety if the new strategy underperforms. The fiber and tower build‑out requires substantial ongoing investment, and misjudging demand, timing, or competitive responses could lead to weak returns on capital. Competitive pressure from larger telecom and cable companies, as well as emerging technologies for rural connectivity, adds another layer of risk.

Outlook

The company is clearly in a transition phase, moving from a mixed wireless and wireline operator to a leaner, infrastructure‑focused model built around fiber broadband and towers. Near‑term reported results are likely to remain noisy and may not reflect the steady‑state economics of the new structure, especially given the latest year’s zero‑revenue figures for this security. Over the medium term, the outlook will depend on how well TDS converts its network investments and incumbency in underserved markets into stable, growing cash flows while gradually de‑risking the balance sheet. There is meaningful upside potential if the fiber and tower strategy gains traction and capital discipline holds, but also elevated uncertainty given the recent financial volatility and the scale of the strategic pivot.