IHS (IHS) 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
IHS (IHS) has outperformed Telephone and Data Systems (TDS) over the past year, gaining 25.2% versus a loss of 13.3%. Over five years, TDS leads with a +81.9% price change compared with -49.4% for IHS. Telephone and Data Systems is the larger company by market cap ($3.93 billion vs $2.86 billion), about 1.4 times the size, while IHS is growing revenue faster (+3.6% vs -5.3%).
On valuation, IHS trades at a lower trailing P/E (5.4x vs 8.5x for Telephone and Data Systems). Telephone and Data Systems pays a dividend yielding 0.47%, while IHS does not currently pay one. IHS converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 9.1% 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 | IHS | TDS |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $8.44 | $34.13 |
| Market cap | $2.86B | $3.93B |
| 1-day change | 0.00% | -3.45% |
| YTD return | +13.14% | -16.76% |
| 1-year return | +25.22% | -13.33% |
| 5-year return | -49.43% | +81.94% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 5.38 | 8.53 |
| Forward P/E | 15.35 | — |
| EPS (TTM) | $1.57 | $4.00 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.47% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $0.16 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $1.58B | $1.23B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +3.59% | -5.30% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $143.60M | $-6.24M |
| Gross margin | 55.41% | — |
| Operating margin | 51.92% | -7.93% |
| Net margin | 9.08% | -0.51% |
| 52-week high | $8.95 | $49.12 |
| 52-week low | $5.71 | $31.51 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -5.70% | -30.52% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | none |
| Avg. price target upside | -5.21% | +39.17% |
| Average volume | 1.09M | 1.31M |
| Shares outstanding | 338.34M | 107.57M |
| Employees | 2,344 | 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
- IHS has outperformed TDS by 38.6 percentage points over the past year.
- Telephone and Data Systems trades at a higher earnings multiple (8.5x vs 5.4x trailing P/E).
- IHS is more profitable, keeping 9.1 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus -0.5 cents for Telephone and Data Systems.
- IHS grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+3.59% vs -5.30%).
About IHS
IHS stock →IHS Holding Limited, together with its subsidiaries, develops, owns, and operates shared communications infrastructure in Nigeria, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, South Africa, and Zambia. The company offers colocation and lease amendment services, which allows customers to lease space on existing towers alongside current tenants, install additional equipment on a tower, and request for ancillary services; build-to-suit sites; in-building solutions and distributed antenna systems, which allows customers to lease space in secure locations within large building complexes, such as shopping malls, stadiums, and airports; non-intrusive small cell installation services on commercial premises, lampposts, and poles; fiber-to-the-tower connectivity services; rural telephony services; and managed services, including maintenance, security, and power supply services.
Telecommunications · Telecommunications Equipment · 2,344 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
IHS vs TDS FAQ
Which is bigger, IHS or Telephone and Data Systems?
Telephone and Data Systems (TDS) is larger, with a market capitalization of $3.93B compared with $2.86B for IHS (IHS).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, IHS or TDS?
IHS returned +25.22% 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, IHS or TDS?
IHS has the lower trailing P/E at 5.4, versus 8.5 for TDS. 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, IHS or Telephone and Data Systems?
Telephone and Data Systems pays a dividend yielding 0.47%, while IHS does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are IHS and Telephone and Data Systems in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Telecommunications Equipment industry within the Telecommunications sector.