Deutsche Telekom vs Telefónica (DTE.DE vs TEF)

Deutsche Telekom (DTE.DE) vs Telefónica (TEF) in plain English: P/E, growth, margins, debt and dividend side by side, key differences and which fits each investor profile.

Deutsche Telekom (DTE.DE) and Telefónica (TEF) compete in telecommunications. Here are Deutsche Telekom and Telefónica side by side with their real figures as of November 4, 2026: what sets them apart, which fits each kind of investor and the most common questions, without telling you whether to buy Deutsche Telekom or Telefónica.

Deutsche Telekom vs Telefónica: the figures

Deutsche Telekom and Telefónica figures from Yahoo Finance, the same source the Fintols analysis uses, retrieved on November 4, 2026; N/A means that Deutsche Telekom or Telefónica figure is not available, and we never estimate it.

3 key differences between Deutsche Telekom and Telefónica

1. Profitability: for every 100 of sales, Deutsche Telekom keeps 7.2 as net profit and Telefónica keeps -9.1.
2. Debt: Telefónica owes 5.3x its annual operating profit (EBITDA), while Deutsche Telekom owes 3.3x its EBITDA.
3. Size: Deutsche Telekom is worth €128.0 billion on the stock market, about 6.6 times Telefónica (€19.4 billion).

Deutsche Telekom or Telefónica: which fits your profile

• If you want income (dividends): Telefónica pays the higher dividend relative to its price.
• If you prefer caution: Deutsche Telekom has less debt relative to its profit, which usually gives more room in a bad year.

Neither Deutsche Telekom nor Telefónica wins on everything, and owning both is also an option: spreading money across several companies or an index fund reduces what rides on each one.

How Deutsche Telekom and Telefónica make money

Deutsche Telekom (DTE.DE)

Deutsche Telekom reports by region: the United States, through its T-Mobile US subsidiary, which brings in most of its revenue; Germany, with mobile, fiber and TV; Europe, with carriers in several countries; and Systems Solutions (T-Systems), which provides IT services to businesses. It earns monthly fees from consumers and companies. Full Deutsche Telekom analysis.

Telefónica (TEF)

Telefónica earns monthly fees for mobile, fiber and pay TV from households and businesses. It reports by country: Spain under the Movistar brand, Brazil under Vivo, and Germany are its largest markets, alongside Hispanic America. Telefónica Tech sells cloud and cybersecurity services, and the company co-owns its UK business with Liberty Global. Full Telefónica analysis.

Frequently asked questions: Deutsche Telekom vs Telefónica

Is Deutsche Telekom or Telefónica the better stock?

Choosing between Deutsche Telekom and Telefónica depends on what you are looking for. Each has different strengths. Fintols does not tell you whether to buy Deutsche Telekom or Telefónica: it shows you the differences so you can decide.

Which pays a higher dividend, Deutsche Telekom or Telefónica?

As of November 4, 2026, Telefónica yields 4.50% and Deutsche Telekom yields 3.87%. Also check how much of their profit Deutsche Telekom and Telefónica pay out: if it is more than they earn, it cannot last.

Can I own both Deutsche Telekom and Telefónica?

Yes. Many people spread their money across several companies, such as Deutsche Telekom and Telefónica, or use index funds so they do not depend on just one. If you are starting out, decide how much you want to invest and for how long before buying Deutsche Telekom or Telefónica.

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• Charter Communications vs Telefónica

More companies like Deutsche Telekom and Telefónica: telecommunications stocks. Educational content about Deutsche Telekom and Telefónica, not investment advice.