Tesla (TSLA) 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 Tesla (TSLA) over the past year, gaining 10.6% versus a loss of 12.8%. Over five years, TSLA leads with a +34.4% price change compared with -12.4% for VZ. Tesla is the larger company by market cap ($1.48 trillion vs $192.57 billion), about 7.7 times the size, while Verizon Communications is growing revenue faster (+2.5% vs -2.9%).
On valuation, Verizon Communications trades at a lower forward P/E (8.8x vs 174.8x for Tesla). Verizon Communications pays a dividend yielding 6.03%, while Tesla does not currently pay one. Verizon Communications converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 12.4% versus 4.0%.
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 | TSLA | VZ |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $375.00 | $46.35 |
| Market cap | $1.48T | $192.57B |
| 1-day change | -0.74% | +1.27% |
| YTD return | -15.99% | +12.37% |
| 1-year return | -12.76% | +10.56% |
| 5-year return | +34.45% | -12.44% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 347.22 | 12.07 |
| Forward P/E | 174.85 | 8.77 |
| EPS (TTM) | $1.08 | $3.84 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 6.03% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $2.80 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $94.83B | $138.19B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | -2.93% | +2.52% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $3.79B | $17.17B |
| Gross margin | 18.03% | — |
| Operating margin | 4.59% | 21.17% |
| Net margin | 4.00% | 12.43% |
| 52-week high | $498.83 | $51.68 |
| 52-week low | $297.38 | $38.39 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -24.82% | -10.31% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +5.75% | +10.29% |
| Average volume | 37.67M | 21.91M |
| Shares outstanding | 3.95B | 4.15B |
| Employees | 134,785 | 97,600 |
| Sector | Industrials | Telecommunications |
| Industry | Auto Manufacturing | 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
- Tesla is about 7.7 times larger than Verizon Communications by market value ($1.48T vs $192.57B).
- VZ has outperformed TSLA by 23.3 percentage points over the past year.
- Tesla trades at a higher earnings multiple (347.2x vs 12.1x trailing P/E).
- Verizon Communications offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (6.03% vs 0.00%).
- Verizon Communications is more profitable, keeping 12.4 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 4.0 cents for Tesla.
- Verizon Communications grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+2.52% vs -2.93%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Tesla in Industrials and Verizon Communications in Telecommunications.
About Tesla
TSLA stock →Tesla, Inc. designs, develops, manufactures, leases, and sells electric vehicles, and energy generation and storage systems in the United States, China, and internationally.
Industrials · Auto Manufacturing · 134,785 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
TSLA vs VZ FAQ
Which is bigger, Tesla or Verizon Communications?
Tesla (TSLA) is larger, with a market capitalization of $1.48T compared with $192.57B for Verizon Communications (VZ).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, TSLA or VZ?
VZ returned +10.56% over the past 12 months, compared with -12.76% for TSLA (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, TSLA or VZ?
VZ has the lower trailing P/E at 12.1, versus 347.2 for TSLA. 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, Tesla or Verizon Communications?
Verizon Communications pays a dividend yielding 6.03%, while Tesla does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Tesla and Verizon Communications in the same industry?
No. Tesla is in the Industrials sector, while Verizon Communications is in Telecommunications.