Belden (BDC) vs Telephone and Data Systems (TDS)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Belden (BDC) has outperformed Telephone and Data Systems (TDS) over the past year, losing 5.2% versus a loss of 9.7%. Over five years, TDS leads with a +81.9% price change compared with +80.6% for BDC. Belden is the larger company by market cap ($4.25 billion vs $4.06 billion), about 1.0 times the size.
On valuation, Telephone and Data Systems trades at a lower trailing P/E (8.8x vs 17.7x for Belden). Telephone and Data Systems offers the higher dividend yield (0.45% vs 0.18%). Belden converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 8.7% versus -0.5%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | BDC | TDS |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $108.68 | $35.23 |
| Market cap | $4.25B | $4.06B |
| 1-day change | -0.67% | -0.34% |
| YTD return | -6.13% | -13.78% |
| 1-year return | -5.20% | -9.73% |
| 5-year return | +80.57% | +81.94% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 17.67 | 8.81 |
| Forward P/E | 10.83 | — |
| EPS (TTM) | $6.15 | $4.00 |
| Dividend yield | 0.18% | 0.45% |
| Annual dividend | $0.20 | $0.16 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $2.72B | $1.23B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +10.33% | -5.30% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $237.52M | $-6.24M |
| Gross margin | 37.98% | — |
| Operating margin | 11.63% | -7.93% |
| Net margin | 8.75% | -0.51% |
| 52-week high | $159.99 | $49.12 |
| 52-week low | $98.00 | $31.51 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -32.07% | -28.28% |
| Analyst consensus | strong_buy | none |
| Avg. price target upside | +40.96% | +34.83% |
| Average volume | 452.11K | 1.31M |
| Shares outstanding | 39.08M | 107.57M |
| Employees | 8,000 | 4,000 |
| Sector | Industrials | Telecommunications |
| Industry | Telecommunications Equipment | Telecommunications Equipment |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- Belden trades at a higher earnings multiple (17.7x vs 8.8x trailing P/E).
- Belden is more profitable, keeping 8.7 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus -0.5 cents for Telephone and Data Systems.
- Belden grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+10.33% vs -5.30%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Belden in Industrials and Telephone and Data Systems in Telecommunications.
About Belden
BDC stock →Belden Inc. provides connection solutions to bring data infrastructure into alignment to unlock new possibilities for its customers.
Industrials · Telecommunications Equipment · 8,000 employees
About Telephone and Data Systems
TDS stock →Telephone and Data Systems, Inc., a telecommunications company, provides communications services to residential, commercial, and wholesale customers in the United States. It operates through two segments: TDS Telecom and Array.
Telecommunications · Telecommunications Equipment · 4,000 employees
BDC vs TDS FAQ
Which is bigger, Belden or Telephone and Data Systems?
Belden (BDC) is larger, with a market capitalization of $4.25B compared with $4.06B for Telephone and Data Systems (TDS).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, BDC or TDS?
BDC returned -5.20% over the past 12 months, compared with -9.73% for TDS (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, BDC or TDS?
TDS has the lower trailing P/E at 8.8, versus 17.7 for BDC. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Belden or Telephone and Data Systems?
Telephone and Data Systems has the higher yield at 0.45%, compared with 0.18% for Belden.
Are Belden and Telephone and Data Systems in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Telecommunications Equipment industry within the Industrials sector.