ESCO Technologies (ESE) 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
ESCO Technologies (ESE) has outperformed Telephone and Data Systems (TDS) over the past year, gaining 21.2% versus a loss of 13.3%. Over five years, ESE leads with a +200.6% price change compared with +75.7% for TDS. ESCO Technologies is the larger company by market cap ($6.58 billion vs $3.93 billion), about 1.7 times the size.
On valuation, Telephone and Data Systems trades at a lower trailing P/E (8.5x vs 47.1x for ESCO Technologies). Telephone and Data Systems offers the higher dividend yield (0.47% vs 0.13%). ESCO Technologies converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 27.3% 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 | ESE | TDS |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $254.06 | $34.13 |
| Market cap | $6.58B | $3.93B |
| 1-day change | -1.11% | -3.45% |
| YTD return | +30.03% | -16.76% |
| 1-year return | +21.17% | -13.33% |
| 5-year return | +200.63% | +75.66% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 47.14 | 8.53 |
| Forward P/E | 27.54 | — |
| EPS (TTM) | $5.39 | $4.00 |
| Dividend yield | 0.13% | 0.47% |
| Annual dividend | $0.32 | $0.16 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $1.10B | $1.23B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +19.18% | -5.30% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $299.22M | $-6.24M |
| Gross margin | 42.09% | — |
| Operating margin | 15.55% | -7.93% |
| Net margin | 27.32% | -0.51% |
| 52-week high | $362.15 | $49.12 |
| 52-week low | $193.68 | $31.51 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -29.85% | -30.52% |
| Analyst consensus | none | none |
| Avg. price target upside | +53.80% | +39.17% |
| Average volume | 219.38K | 1.31M |
| Shares outstanding | 25.91M | 107.57M |
| Employees | 3,359 | 4,000 |
| Sector | Telecommunications | 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
- ESE has outperformed TDS by 34.5 percentage points over the past year.
- ESCO Technologies trades at a higher earnings multiple (47.1x vs 8.5x trailing P/E).
- ESCO Technologies is more profitable, keeping 27.3 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus -0.5 cents for Telephone and Data Systems.
- ESCO Technologies grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+19.18% vs -5.30%).
About ESCO Technologies
ESE stock →ESCO Technologies Inc. provides engineered components and systems for aviation, navy, defense, and industrial customers.
Telecommunications · Telecommunications Equipment · 3,359 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
ESE vs TDS FAQ
Which is bigger, ESCO Technologies or Telephone and Data Systems?
ESCO Technologies (ESE) is larger, with a market capitalization of $6.58B compared with $3.93B for Telephone and Data Systems (TDS).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ESE or TDS?
ESE returned +21.17% over the past 12 months, compared with -13.33% for TDS (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, ESE or TDS?
TDS has the lower trailing P/E at 8.5, versus 47.1 for ESE. 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, ESCO Technologies or Telephone and Data Systems?
Telephone and Data Systems has the higher yield at 0.47%, compared with 0.13% for ESCO Technologies.
Are ESCO Technologies and Telephone and Data Systems in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Telecommunications Equipment industry within the Telecommunications sector.