Verizon (VZ) vs AT&T (T): Stock Comparison
Data as of November 7, 2026. Refreshed weekly from SEC filings and market data.
The two are priced about the same on earnings (11.9 and 11.2 times); Verizon keeps the higher net margin (11.8% against 10.2%); AT&T grew revenue faster over the last year (3.5% against 1.4%); dividend yield is about the same (6.0% and 5.4%). Verizon clears 5 of this site's 8 value filters and AT&T 5. Figures are as of November 7, 2026; each is on the page below with its source.
How do Verizon and AT&T compare on the numbers?
| Measure | Verizon (VZ) | AT&T (T) | Clearer lead |
|---|---|---|---|
| Share price | $45.69 | $21.63 | |
| Market value | $195 billion | $147 billion | |
| P/E ratio (trailing) | 11.9 | 11.2 | About the same |
| PEG ratio | 2.01 | 1.09 | T |
| Free-cash-flow yield | 9.2% | 12.3% | T |
| Net profit margin | 11.8% | 10.2% | VZ |
| Revenue growth, last year | 1.4% | 3.5% | T |
| Return on equity | 15.7% | 12.0% | VZ |
| Debt to equity | 1.57 | 1.50 | About the same |
| Dividend yield | 6.0% | 5.4% | About the same |
| Margin of safety (DCF) | +36.1% | +52.2% | T |
| Value filters passed (of 8) | 5 | 5 | About the same |
| Distance from 52-week high | -11.2% | -25.7% |
How have Verizon and AT&T shares done against each other?
Verizon 87AT&T 115
Each share price set to 100 on Nov 2021, to Nov 2026. Price only: dividends are not included.
From Nov 2021 to Nov 2026, Verizon shares are down 13% and AT&T shares up 15%, so AT&T has pulled ahead of Verizon by 28 points of the starting price. The deepest fall from a prior high in that window was 44% for Verizon and 34% for AT&T.
| Period | Verizon (VZ) | AT&T (T) |
|---|---|---|
| Last 1 year | +14.7% | -12.6% |
| Last 3 years | +28.2% | +37.3% |
| Last 5 years | -12.5% | +14.1% |
Which has grown faster, Verizon or AT&T?
Over 5 years, Verizon grew revenue 1.5% a year and earnings per share -1.1% a year; AT&T grew revenue -2.6% and earnings per share n/a. Its net margin averaged 13.2% at Verizon and 9.2% at AT&T.
| Measure | Verizon (VZ) | AT&T (T) |
|---|---|---|
| Latest fiscal year ended | Dec 2025 | Dec 2025 |
| Revenue, first year to latest | $128 billion to $138 billion | $143 billion to $126 billion |
| Revenue growth per year | 1.5% | -2.6% |
| Earnings per share, first year to latest | $4.30 to $4.06 | $-0.69 to $3.06 |
| Earnings per share growth per year | -1.1% | n/a |
| Net margin, latest year | 12.4% | 17.5% |
| Net margin, average of the years | 13.2% | 9.2% |
| Free cash flow margin, latest year | n/a | 15.5% |
From each company's 10-K filings (SEC EDGAR), over its latest 5 years.
What growth does each share price assume?
| Measure | Verizon (VZ) | AT&T (T) |
|---|---|---|
| Free cash flow growth the price implies | -3.0% a year | -9.9% a year |
| Free cash flow per share | $4.19 | $2.65 |
| Margin of safety on this site's DCF | +36.1% | +52.2% |
At $45.69, Verizon's price implies free cash flow growth of -3.0% a year, fading to 2.5% over 10 years. That is less growth than the 8% baseline.
At $21.63, AT&T's price implies free cash flow growth of -9.9% a year, fading to 2.5% over 10 years. That is less growth than the 8% baseline.
The same model and baseline as every stock page. A price that asks for less growth is not a better company, only a lower bar to clear.
Where is each stronger?
Where Verizon leads
- Higher net margin: 11.8% against 10.2%
- Higher return on equity: 15.7% against 12.0%
- Faster revenue growth over its filed record: 1.5% against -2.6%
- A higher average net margin: 13.2% against 9.2%
Where AT&T leads
- Lower PEG: 1.09 against 2.01
- Higher free-cash-flow yield: 12.3% against 9.2%
- Faster revenue growth last year: 3.5% against 1.4%
- Higher margin of safety on this site's DCF: +52.2% against +36.1%
- A higher net margin in its latest filed year: 17.5% against 12.4%
About the same on: p/e ratio (trailing), debt to equity, dividend yield, value filters passed (of 8). A lead needs a clear gap (10% apart on a ratio, 1 point on a percentage), so a rounding difference never names a winner. A lead on one measure is not a verdict on the company.
How do the businesses differ?
Verizon. Verizon is a major US wireless carrier that also sells home internet (Fios and 5G) and network and phone services to businesses. Most of its revenue comes from wireless plans and devices.
AT&T. AT&T provides mobile phone service and home and business internet, including its own fiber network, in the US. It sold off its media businesses and now focuses on connectivity.
Both are in the Telecommunication industry on this site. Both are US wireless and broadband carriers known for large dividends. Verizon is more focused on mobile, while AT&T has shifted toward fiber broadband alongside its wireless business.
What stands out about Verizon
- Misses 1 of the 8 value filters. It fails PEG Ratio < 1.5 (2.01); the other 5 pass and 2 were not evaluated.
- The margin of safety is falling. It went from +45% on Oct 7 to +36% on Nov 7 across 8 weekly readings.
- Strongest against peers: dividend yield. At 6.01% (peer median 3.98%) it ranks 1st of 6 among telecom & communications stocks this site tracks.
What stands out about AT&T
- Misses 1 of the 8 value filters. It fails EPS Growth YoY > -5% (-90.0%); the other 5 pass and 2 were not evaluated.
- The margin of safety is rising. It went from +45% on Oct 7 to +52% on Nov 7 across 8 weekly readings.
- Close to its 52-week low. At $21.63, T is 5.6% above its low of $20.48 and 25.7% below its high of $29.10.
Frequently asked questions about Verizon and AT&T
Which is cheaper, Verizon or AT&T?
On trailing earnings, they are priced about the same: Verizon trades at 11.9 times and AT&T at 11.2 times. On free cash flow, the yields are 9.2% and 12.3%. Cheaper is not the same as better value: read the growth each price assumes below.
Which pays the higher dividend, Verizon or AT&T?
Their yields are about the same: Verizon 6.0% and AT&T 5.4% over the last year.
Which has grown faster, Verizon or AT&T?
Over their latest filed five years, Verizon grew revenue 1.5% a year and AT&T -2.6%; earnings per share grew -1.1% and n/a a year.
Which has more debt, Verizon or AT&T?
They carry about the same debt for their equity: debt to equity is 1.57 for Verizon and 1.50 for AT&T. A very high figure can also come from buybacks that shrank equity.
Which is more profitable, Verizon or AT&T?
Verizon keeps more of each sales dollar as profit: 11.8% for Verizon and 10.2% for AT&T, with a return on equity of 15.7% and 12.0%.
Which passes more of the 8 value filters?
Both clear 5 of the 8. The filters are this site's own value rules, shown with each stock's page.
Where do these numbers come from?
Prices, ratios and yield are from this site's weekly data as of November 7, 2026; growth and margins by year are from each company's 10-K filings (sources on Verizon and AT&T). The DCF is the same model on every stock page. See Editorial Standards. Educational, not investment advice.