Comcast (CMCSA) vs Verizon Communications (VZ)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Verizon Communications (VZ) has outperformed Comcast (CMCSA) over the past year, gaining 10.6% versus a loss of 27.0%. Over five years, VZ leads with a -12.4% price change compared with -58.6% for CMCSA. Verizon Communications is the larger company by market cap ($192.57 billion vs $75.27 billion), about 2.6 times the size.
On valuation, Comcast trades at a lower forward P/E (5.9x vs 8.8x for Verizon Communications). Comcast offers the higher dividend yield (6.22% vs 6.03%). Comcast converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 16.2% versus 12.4%.
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 | CMCSA | VZ |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $21.21 | $46.35 |
| Market cap | $75.27B | $192.57B |
| 1-day change | +1.29% | +1.27% |
| YTD return | -25.25% | +12.37% |
| 1-year return | -26.98% | +10.56% |
| 5-year return | -58.64% | -12.44% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 6.84 | 12.07 |
| Forward P/E | 5.92 | 8.77 |
| EPS (TTM) | $3.10 | $3.84 |
| Dividend yield | 6.22% | 6.03% |
| Annual dividend | $1.32 | $2.80 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $123.71B | $138.19B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | -0.02% | +2.52% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $20.00B | $17.17B |
| Operating margin | 16.71% | 21.17% |
| Net margin | 16.17% | 12.43% |
| 52-week high | $32.86 | $51.68 |
| 52-week low | $20.75 | $38.39 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -35.45% | -10.31% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +35.45% | +10.29% |
| Average volume | 28.80M | 21.91M |
| Shares outstanding | 3.54B | 4.15B |
| Employees | 179,000 | 97,600 |
| Sector | Telecommunications | Telecommunications |
| Industry | Cable & Other Pay Television Services | 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
- Verizon Communications is about 2.6 times larger than Comcast by market value ($192.57B vs $75.27B).
- VZ has outperformed CMCSA by 37.5 percentage points over the past year.
- Verizon Communications trades at a higher earnings multiple (12.1x vs 6.8x trailing P/E).
About Comcast
CMCSA stock →Comcast Corporation operates as a media and technology company worldwide. The company operates through Residential Connectivity & Platforms, Business Services Connectivity, Media, Studios, and Theme Parks segments.
Telecommunications · Cable & Other Pay Television Services · 179,000 employees
About Verizon Communications
VZ stock →Verizon Communications Inc., through its subsidiaries, engages in the provision of communications, technology, information, and streaming products and services to consumers, businesses, and governmental entities worldwide. It operates in two segments, Verizon Consumer Group (Consumer) and Verizon Business Group (Business).
Telecommunications · Telecommunications Equipment · 97,600 employees
CMCSA vs VZ FAQ
Which is bigger, Comcast or Verizon Communications?
Verizon Communications (VZ) is larger, with a market capitalization of $192.57B compared with $75.27B for Comcast (CMCSA).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CMCSA or VZ?
VZ returned +10.56% over the past 12 months, compared with -26.98% for CMCSA (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, CMCSA or VZ?
CMCSA has the lower trailing P/E at 6.8, versus 12.1 for VZ. 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, Comcast or Verizon Communications?
Comcast has the higher yield at 6.22%, compared with 6.03% for Verizon Communications.
Are Comcast and Verizon Communications in the same industry?
Both are in the Telecommunications sector, but in different industries: Cable & Other Pay Television Services for Comcast and Telecommunications Equipment for Verizon Communications.