AT&T (T) 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 AT&T (T) over the past year, gaining 10.6% versus a loss of 6.5%. Over five years, T leads with a +26.1% price change compared with -12.4% for VZ. Verizon Communications is the larger company by market cap ($190.16 billion vs $167.68 billion), about 1.1 times the size, while AT&T is growing revenue faster (+2.7% vs +2.5%).
On valuation, Verizon Communications trades at a lower forward P/E (8.7x vs 9.5x for AT&T). Verizon Communications offers the higher dividend yield (6.11% vs 4.54%). AT&T converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 17.5% 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 | T | VZ |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $24.47 | $45.77 |
| Market cap | $167.68B | $190.16B |
| 1-day change | +0.16% | -0.46% |
| YTD return | -1.49% | +12.37% |
| 1-year return | -6.46% | +10.56% |
| 5-year return | +26.06% | -12.44% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 8.08 | 11.92 |
| Forward P/E | 9.53 | 8.66 |
| EPS (TTM) | $3.03 | $3.84 |
| Dividend yield | 4.54% | 6.11% |
| Annual dividend | $1.11 | $2.80 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $125.65B | $138.19B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +2.71% | +2.52% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $21.95B | $17.17B |
| Operating margin | 19.23% | 21.17% |
| Net margin | 17.47% | 12.43% |
| 52-week high | $29.44 | $51.68 |
| 52-week low | $19.89 | $38.39 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -16.88% | -11.44% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +17.57% | +11.69% |
| Average volume | 48.58M | 22.02M |
| Shares outstanding | 6.85B | 4.15B |
| Employees | 133,030 | 97,600 |
| 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
- VZ has outperformed T by 17.0 percentage points over the past year.
- Verizon Communications trades at a higher earnings multiple (11.9x vs 8.1x trailing P/E).
- Verizon Communications offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (6.11% vs 4.54%).
- AT&T is more profitable, keeping 17.5 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 12.4 cents for Verizon Communications.
About AT&T
T stock →AT&T Inc. provides telecommunications and technology services worldwide.
Telecommunications · Telecommunications Equipment · 133,030 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
T vs VZ FAQ
Which is bigger, AT&T or Verizon Communications?
Verizon Communications (VZ) is larger, with a market capitalization of $190.16B compared with $167.68B for AT&T (T).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, T or VZ?
VZ returned +10.56% over the past 12 months, compared with -6.46% for T (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, T or VZ?
T has the lower trailing P/E at 8.1, versus 11.9 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, AT&T or Verizon Communications?
Verizon Communications has the higher yield at 6.11%, compared with 4.54% for AT&T.
Are AT&T and Verizon Communications in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Telecommunications Equipment industry within the Telecommunications sector.