META vs TDS: Which Is the Better Dividend Stock?
As of Oct 18, 2026, META (Meta Platforms, Inc.) screens as the stronger dividend stock, winning 4 of 7 head-to-head metrics. TDS offers the higher yield at 0.47%, META has the higher dividend-safety score, and TDS looks like the better value (its fair-value estimate is 6% above its share price).
Key facts: META vs TDS
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Oct 18, 2026, Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. (TDS) has the higher forward dividend yield at 0.47%, versus 0.30% for Meta Platforms, Inc. (META).
- As of Oct 18, 2026, SmarterDividends grades META's dividend safety B (75/100) and TDS's B (70/100).
- As of Oct 18, 2026, META pays out 8% of its earnings as dividends and TDS pays out 4%.
- As of Oct 18, 2026, META's fair-value estimate is 22% below its share price and TDS's fair-value estimate is 6% above its share price, so TDS looks like the better value of the two on SmarterDividends' blended model.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "META vs TDS: Dividend Yield, Safety & Value Compared," updated Oct 18, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/meta-vs-tds
| Metric | META | TDS |
|---|---|---|
| Forward yield | 0.30% | 0.47% |
| Annual dividend | $2.10 | $0.16 |
| Payout ratio | 8% | 4% |
| Years of growth | 1 yr | 0 yr |
| 5-yr dividend growth | — | -25.1% |
| 5-yr total return | 119% | 92% |
| Dividend safety score | 75 (B) | 70 (B) |
| Fair value estimate | $552.71 | $36.02 |
| Upside to fair value | -22% | +6% |
| Frequency | quarterly | quarterly |
| Market cap | $1.8T | $3.9B |
| P/E ratio | 26.7 | 8.5 |
Higher yield
TDS
0.47%
Safer dividend
META
Grade B
Faster growth
TDS
-25.1%
Better value
TDS
+6% upside
META vs TDS — FAQ
Is META or TDS a better dividend stock?
On the data, META wins more head-to-head categories (4 vs 3). TDS offers the higher yield (0.47%), while META has the stronger dividend-safety score. The right pick depends on whether you prioritise income, safety or value.
Which has a higher dividend yield, META or TDS?
TDS has the higher forward dividend yield at 0.47%, versus 0.30% for META.
Is META or TDS safer?
META has the higher dividend-safety score (75/100 vs 70/100), reflecting stronger payout coverage and dividend-growth history.
Is META or TDS better value right now?
As of Oct 18, 2026, TDS looks like the better value: its fair-value estimate is 6% above its share price (fairly valued). For META, its fair-value estimate is 22% below its share price.
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See more dividend stock comparisons · data refreshes daily · for informational purposes only, not investment advice.