Charter Communications (CHTR): analysis in plain words
Is Charter Communications cheap or expensive? How it makes money, whether it grows and its risks, explained in plain words and with its official accounts.
Charter Communications (CHTR) is listed on the Nasdaq and we classify it in telecommunications. Below are its key dated figures, how it makes money, how it compares with its sector, what works for and against Charter Communications according to those figures, and the questions people ask most about the stock. No buy or sell tips.
Charter Communications (CHTR) key figures as of November 4, 2026
| Figure | Value | What it measures |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $120.25 | Last price on November 4, 2026 |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 3.1x | Price over earnings per share |
| Revenue growth | -1.7% | Latest quarter vs the same quarter a year earlier |
| Net margin (TTM) | 9.1% | Profit for every 100 of sales |
| Net debt / EBITDA | 4.4x | Years of operating profit to repay debt |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | Annual dividend over price |
| Market cap | $15.6 billion | What the stock market values it at |
The Charter Communications figures come from Yahoo Finance, the same source the Fintols analysis uses, retrieved on November 4, 2026. Any CHTR figure that is not available shows as N/A: we do not estimate it.
How Charter Communications makes money
Charter operates in the United States under the Spectrum brand. Home broadband internet is its biggest revenue source, followed by cable TV, Spectrum Mobile wireless service and landline phone. It also sells connectivity to small, midsize and large businesses, and local advertising through Spectrum Reach.
Over the last 12 months, Charter Communications brought in revenue of $54.4 billion. For every 100 it sells, Charter Communications keeps 55.2 after the direct cost of what it sells (gross margin) and 23.5 after all operating costs (operating margin).
Charter Communications against its sector
To know whether a Charter Communications figure is high or low you have to put it next to similar companies. This table compares Charter Communications with the median of the 6 telecommunications companies Fintols covers, with data as of November 4, 2026.
| Figure | Charter Communications | telecommunications median |
|---|---|---|
| P/E | 3.1x | 11.7x (6) |
| Revenue growth | -1.7% | +4.4% (7) |
| Net margin | 9.1% | 9.1% (8) |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 4.19% (8) |
| Net debt / EBITDA | 4.4x | 3.7x (8) |
In short, against the typical telecommunications company, Charter Communications trades on a lower P/E, grows more slowly and pays a lower dividend yield. By size, Charter Communications ranks number 5 of 5 telecommunications companies quoted in USD on Fintols.
The bull case for Charter Communications
These are the strengths in the Charter Communications figures as of November 4, 2026:
- On a P/E basis Charter Communications trades cheaper than its sector: 3.1x its annual earnings, against 11.7x for the telecommunications median (6 companies with data).
- Charter Communications generates real cash: $2.2 billion of free cash flow over 12 months, 14.1% of its stock market value.
- Charter Communications earns 27.2% a year on its shareholders' money (return on equity).
The main risk for Charter Communications
Charter Communications stock sits 53% below its 52-week high ($254.11): the market has cut its expectations, and it is worth understanding why first.
On top of that: debt is heavy: Charter Communications carries net debt equal to 4.4x its annual EBITDA. With high interest rates or a weak year, interest payments eat into what it can invest or pay out.
And, like the rest of telecommunications, Charter Communications is exposed to price wars between operators and the heavy spending its networks need every year.
Frequently asked questions about Charter Communications
Is it a good time to buy Charter Communications stock?
Fintols does not tell you whether to buy or sell Charter Communications, and nobody knows what the price will do tomorrow. What we can show you is where it stands today. As of November 4, 2026, Charter Communications stock trades at $120.25, 53% below its 52-week high ($254.11) and 19% above its low ($101.11). Its P/E is 3.1x against a telecommunications median of 11.7x, and 2.4x on the earnings analysts expect over the next 12 months. With Charter Communications, as with any stock, timing matters less than understanding the business, investing for the long run and not betting everything on a single company.
Does Charter Communications pay a dividend?
No. As of November 4, 2026, Charter Communications does not pay a dividend: what it earns stays in the company to grow, invest or, where it does so, buy back shares. Anyone buying Charter Communications today is counting on the share price rising, not on income.
Is Charter Communications stock expensive?
It depends on what you compare it with. On P/E, Charter Communications trades at 3.1x its last 12 months of earnings: cheaper than the telecommunications median (11.7x). Including its debt, Charter Communications is valued at 5.3x its EBITDA (EV/EBITDA). A high P/E alone does not make Charter Communications expensive: it can be justified if earnings grow fast, and a low one can reflect a business in trouble.
Who are Charter Communications's competitors?
On Fintols we compare Charter Communications with Telefónica, Cellnex and Deutsche Telekom, which are also in telecommunications. As of November 4, 2026, Telefónica is worth €19.4 billion; Cellnex is worth €17.6 billion; Deutsche Telekom is worth €128.0 billion and trades on a P/E of 15.0. Each has a side-by-side comparison with Charter Communications below.
Charter Communications competitors
- Telefónica (TEF) analysis · Charter Communications vs Telefónica comparison
- Cellnex (CLNX) analysis · Charter Communications vs Cellnex comparison
- Deutsche Telekom (DTE.DE) analysis · Charter Communications vs Deutsche Telekom comparison
To understand Charter Communications better
- How to Read a Balance Sheet: A Beginner's Guide
- P/E Ratio and EPS Explained: How to Read Them Without Traps
More companies like Charter Communications: telecommunications stocks, S&P 500 companies and S&P 100 companies. Open the full CHTR analysis with its valuation and scenarios. Educational content about Charter Communications, not investment advice.