Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. (TDS)
NYSECommunication ServicesTelecommunications ServicesSnapshot 2026-09-04
$37.83+0.03%
Close 2026-09-04 · 1-day change
NYSECommunication ServicesTelecommunications ServicesSnapshot 2026-09-04
QuarterlyIQ Insights · TDS
How strong the business is — where it ranks within its sector on capital efficiency and cash generation, and how well management has been executing.
How this business ranks within communication services on a research-validated quality screen. As of 2026-09-04.
The screen ranks TDS against its sector on four durable signals: share dilution, return on capital, free-cash-flow yield, and FCF margin. Historically the highest-quality names tended toward better typical outcomes and fewer bad years over multi-year holds (strongest at three years, modest at one), and that pattern showed up even before the price moved. It characterizes business quality, not price direction.
Each leg is a sector-relative percentile (higher is better); 4 of 4 legs were available for this name. The composite is built from these four; the raw value follows each percentile for context.
A forward quality tilt, not a price prediction, and context for your own research rather than a recommendation. Not investment advice.
How management runs the business: capital, margins, balance sheet, and how reliably they guide and deliver.
Each factor is a parallel diagnostic with a clear read of what it shows and how names like it have historically fared. Never aggregated into a single score.
Operating income rose in 3 of the last 3 quarter-over-quarter moves. Historically, Communication Services names rated strong grew net income 52% of the time over the next year (vs 53% for the rest of the cohort, n=1891).
Not investment advice. Scores describe historical and current data; they are not forecasts of future returns. Consult a licensed advisor before making investment decisions.
A guidance track record builds as the company issues and delivers on guidance.
Priorities management has stated in recent disclosures, with status and evidence drawn from earnings calls, filings, and press releases.
Continue to grow TDS Telecom's marketable fiber service addresses and residential fiber net additions to increase broadband footprint.
Stated as a priority in 3 of last 3 quarters. TDS Telecom expanded its marketable fiber service footprint by approximately 66,000 addresses in 2026-Q2 and grew residential fiber net additions by 15,100 in the same quarter. The fiber footprint growth is consistent with management's stated strategic focus and shows delivering progress.
“TDS Telecom expanded its marketable fiber service footprint by approximately 66,000 addresses and increased fiber connections by 15,100 net additions.”
“Delivered 40,000 marketable fiber service addresses and grew fiber connections by 10,900 residential fiber net additions.”
“Ended the year with 1.06 million marketable fiber service addresses and grew fiber net additions by 44,900 in 2025.”
Continue to grow tower tenancy, optimize operations, and monetize wireless spectrum assets through sales and dividends.
Stated as a priority in 3 of last 3 quarters. Array's site rental revenues grew 95% year over year in 2026-Q2, and the company closed wireless spectrum sales totaling over $1 billion in the first half of 2026. Tower tenancy growth and spectrum monetization are delivering as management outlined.
Sustain and raise capital expenditure levels to support fiber broadband expansion and network infrastructure.
Stated as a priority in 3 of last 3 quarters. Management increased 2026 capital expenditure guidance to $625-$675 million from prior $550-$600 million, up from $406 million actual in 2025. This reflects delivering progress on sustaining and increasing capex for fiber expansion.
Continue paying consistent dividends to shareholders as part of capital allocation strategy.
Stated as a priority in 4 of last 4 quarters. The quarterly dividend per share remained steady at $0.04, and a special dividend of $11 per common share was declared and paid in June 2026. This shows consistent delivery on dividend payout commitments.
Attempt to acquire all outstanding Array Digital Infrastructure shares not owned by TDS to consolidate ownership.
Stated as a priority in 1 quarter (2026-Q2) and withdrawn in a subsequent announcement in 2026-09-02. The acquisition pursuit was initiated but then abandoned, indicating limited progress on this strategic initiative.
“TDS delivered a non-binding proposal to acquire all outstanding Array shares not owned by TDS.”
Over the trailing year it converted 4.91x of net income into operating cash flow. Historically, Communication Services names rated robust grew net income 47% of the time over the next year (vs 40% for the rest of the cohort, n=899).
Most sensitive to the broad stock market.
Not enough signal to read sensitivity to the US dollar, real (inflation-adjusted) rates, long-term interest rates, Fed net liquidity (low R² over the window).
25 material management or governance events in the past 24 months, led by executive changes. Historically, Communication Services names rated neutral grew net income 55% of the time over the next year (vs 53% for the rest of the cohort, n=1072).
Not investment advice. As of 2026-09-04.
“Array delivered consecutive quarter over quarter tower tenancy growth and closed sales of wireless spectrum licenses totaling over $1 billion.”
“Array continued to optimize tower operations with site rental revenues growing 92% year over year and closed sale of 700 MHz spectrum licenses for $74.8 million.”
“Array grew site rental revenues 51% year over year and closed sale of wireless spectrum with AT&T for $1.018 billion.”
“Updated 2026 capital expenditure guidance increased to $625 million - $675 million.”
“Capital expenditures guidance unchanged at $550 million - $600 million.”
“Capital expenditures for 2025 were $406 million, with prior guidance for 2026 at $550 million - $600 million.”
“Dividend per share of $0.04 declared; special dividend of $11 per common share paid in June 2026.”
“Dividend per share of $0.04 declared.”
“Dividend per share of $0.04 declared.”
“Dividend per share of $0.04 declared.”