Telephone and Data SystemsTDS -0.99%64 Quick Ratio is 3.42 as of Mar. 2026, which is 74% above its 10-year median of 1.96. GuruFocus rates TDS with a GF Score™ of 64/100 and a GF Value™ of $32.86 (Modestly Overvalued). The stock has 5 warning signs investors should review. Among 371 Telecommunication Services companies, Telephone and Data Systems ranks better than 91.91% on this metric.
Telephone and Data Systems has a quick ratio of 3.42. It generally indicates good short-term financial strength.
The historical rank and industry rank for Telephone and Data Systems's Quick Ratio or its related term are showing as below:
TDS'
s Quick Ratio Range Over the Past 10 Years
Min: 1.14 Med: 1.96 Max: 3.42
Current: 3.42
During the past 13 years, Telephone and Data Systems's highest Quick Ratio was 3.42. The lowest was 1.14. And the median was 1.96.
TDS's Quick Ratio is ranked better than 91.91% of 371
companies
in the Telecommunication Services industry
Industry Median: 1.06
vs TDS: 3.42
Telephone and Data Systems (NYSE:TDS) Quick Ratio Explanation
The quick ratio is more conservative than the Current Ratio because it excludes inventories from current assets. The ratio derives its name presumably from the fact that assets such as cash and marketable securities are quick sources of cash. Inventories generally take time to be converted into cash, and if they have to be sold quickly, the company may have to accept a lower price than book value of these inventories. As a result, they are justifiably excluded from assets that are ready sources of immediate cash.
In general, low or decreasing quick ratios generally suggest that a company is over-leveraged, struggling to maintain or grow sales, paying bills too quickly or collecting receivables too slowly. On the other hand, a high or increasing quick ratio generally indicates that a company is experiencing solid top-line growth, quickly converting receivables into cash, and easily able to cover its financial obligations. Such companies often have faster inventory turnover and cash conversion cycles.
The higher the quick ratio, the better the company's liquidity position.
Telephone and Data Systems Quick Ratio Related Terms
Telephone and Data Systems Quick Ratio Historical Data
* For Operating Data section: All numbers are indicated by the unit behind each term and all currency related amount are in USD. * For other sections: All numbers are in millions except for per share data, ratio, and percentage. All currency related amount are indicated in the company's associated stock exchange currency.
For the Telecom Services subindustry, Telephone and Data Systems's Quick Ratio, along with its competitors' market caps and Quick Ratio data, can be viewed below:
* Competitive companies are chosen from companies within the same industry, with headquarter located in same country, with closest market capitalization; x-axis shows the market cap, and y-axis shows the term value; the bigger the dot, the larger the market cap. Note that "N/A" values will not show up in the chart.
Telephone and Data Systems Quick Ratio vs Telecommunication Services Industry
For the Telecommunication Services industry and Communication Services sector, Telephone and Data Systems's Quick Ratio distribution charts can be found below:
* The bar in red indicates where Telephone and Data Systems's Quick Ratio falls into.
Telephone and Data Systems Quick Ratio Calculation
The quick ratio measures a company's ability to meet its short-term obligations with its most liquid assets. For this reason, the ratio excludes inventories from current assets.
* For Operating Data section: All numbers are indicated by the unit behind each term and all currency related amount are in USD. * For other sections: All numbers are in millions except for per share data, ratio, and percentage. All currency related amount are indicated in the company's associated stock exchange currency.
Telephone and Data Systems (TDS) has a Quick Ratio of 3.42 as of Mar. 2026. Quick ratio is the ratio of current assets less inventory to current liabilities. View historical data on Telephone and Data Systems and its competitors. This is 74% above median its historical median of 1.96. Over the past decade, Telephone and Data Systems' Quick Ratio has ranged from 1.14 to 3.42. According to the industry distribution chart, Telephone and Data Systems ranks #30 out of 371 companies in the Telecommunication Services industry, placing it in the top 8.1%.
Is Telephone and Data Systems' Quick Ratio too high?
Telephone and Data Systems' current Quick Ratio of 3.42 is 74% above median its 10-year median of 1.96. Over the past 10 years, this metric has ranged from a low of 1.14 to a high of 3.42. The Telecommunication Services industry median Quick Ratio is 1.06. Telephone and Data Systems' value of 3.42 is 222.6% above this industry median. Based on the distribution chart, Telephone and Data Systems ranks #30 out of 371 companies in the Telecommunication Services industry, which is in the top quartile — a strong position relative to peers. Overall, Telephone and Data Systems has a GF Score™ of 64/100 and is considered Modestly Overvalued, reflecting its overall financial health beyond just this single metric.
How does Telephone and Data Systems' Quick Ratio compare to AD and LBTYA?
According to the Telecommunication Services industry distribution chart, Telephone and Data Systems ranks #30 out of 371 companies for Quick Ratio. This places Telephone and Data Systems in the top 8% of its industry — outperforming the majority of peers. The industry median Quick Ratio is 1.06. Telephone and Data Systems' value of 3.42 is 222.6% above this benchmark. Historically, Telephone and Data Systems' own Quick Ratio has ranged from 1.14 to 3.42 over the past decade. While the company's 10-year median is 1.96 vs. the industry median of 1.06, Telephone and Data Systems has consistently been above the industry average. See the competitive comparison table and distribution chart on this page for a detailed peer-by-peer breakdown.
What is a good Quick Ratio for a Telecommunication Services company?
The median Quick Ratio among Telecommunication Services companies is 1.06, based on 371 companies in the industry. Companies in the top quartile (top 25%) have a Quick Ratio significantly above this median, while those in the bottom quartile fall well below. However, Quick Ratio should not be evaluated in isolation — investors should consider it alongside profitability, growth, and financial strength metrics. Telephone and Data Systems's current Quick Ratio of 3.42 is 222.6% above the industry median. Use the industry distribution chart on this page to see where any company falls relative to its peers.
What does a high Quick Ratio mean?
A high Quick Ratio can signal that a stock is expensive relative to its fundamentals. Quick ratio is the ratio of current assets less inventory to current liabilities. View historical data on Telephone and Data Systems and its competitors. For the Telecommunication Services industry, the median Quick Ratio is 1.06 — values significantly above this may indicate overvaluation, while values below may suggest a bargain or underlying issues. Telephone and Data Systems's current Quick Ratio is 3.42, which is 74% above median its own 10-year median of 1.96. However, context matters — high-growth companies often justify higher valuations. Always evaluate alongside other metrics like GF Score™ and GF Value™.
Is Telephone and Data Systems stock overvalued right now?
Based on GuruFocus' analysis, Telephone and Data Systems (TDS) is currently considered Modestly Overvalued. The stock's GF Value™ is $32.86, compared to a current price of $37.18 — trading 13.1% above its estimated fair value. The current Quick Ratio is 3.42, which is 74% above median its 10-year median of 1.96 and 222.6% above the Telecommunication Services industry median of 1.06. Telephone and Data Systems' overall GF Score™ is 64/100 with 5 warning signs to review. Investors should evaluate multiple metrics — including profitability, growth, and financial strength — before making a decision.
How is Quick Ratio calculated?
Quick Ratio is calculated from a company's financial statements. For Telephone and Data Systems (TDS), the current Quick Ratio is 3.42 as of Mar. 2026. GuruFocus calculates this using data sourced from SEC filings and annual reports. See the calculation section and 30-year financial data on this page for the full breakdown.
Is Telephone and Data Systems (TDS) Overvalued in 2026?
Based on GuruFocus' analysis, Telephone and Data Systems stock appears to be overvalued.
The current stock price of $37.18 is trading 13.1% above its estimated GF Value™ of $32.86.
GuruFocus considers Telephone and Data Systems to be Modestly Overvalued.
Key valuation signals for TDS:
Quick Ratio: 3.42 (74% above median its 10-year median of 1.96)
GF Value™: $32.86 vs. price of $37.18 (13.1% above fair value)
Industry Position: 222.6% above the Telecommunication Services median (#30 of 371)
No single metric tells the full story. See the TDS stock analysis page for a complete view including 30-year financials, guru trades, and insider activity.
Telephone and Data Systems Inc is a diversified telecommunications operator that provides communications services to customers through broadband, video, voice, and wireless connections. The company has two reportable segments: TDS Telecom and Array. The majority of its revenue is generated from the TDS Telecom segment, which generates revenue by providing broadband, video, voice, and wireless services. The Array segment generates its revenue mainly by leasing tower space on Array-owned towers to customers.
64GF Score
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