SK Telecom Co.,Ltd (SKM) AI Stock Analysis
SKM AI stock analysis summary
AI ResearchSK Telecom Co.,Ltd (SKM) is a South Korean telecommunications operator providing wireless, broadband, and digital services to over 35 million subscribers. In FY2025, revenue contracted 4.7% to $17.10T while net income dropped to $408.41B. The stock gained 50.1% over the past year and offers a forward dividend yield of 1.99%.
- Market cap
- $12.27B
- Revenue (TTM)
- $17.06T
- P/E
- 24.4x fwd 14.7x
- 1Y return
- 50.1% S&P 500 16.8%
- Avg. target
- $35.00 9.5% vs last close
Bull case
- Quarterly earnings increased 450.4% year-over-year in the period ended June 30, 2026.
- The stock trades at an EV-to-EBITDA multiple of 5.6x, below the US-listed Communication Services peer median of 10.0x.
- The company has maintained an uninterrupted dividend payment record across 31 consecutive years.
Bear case
- FY2025 revenue fell 4.7% to $17.10T as annual net income contracted to $408.41B.
- The balance sheet carries $10.44T in total debt against $2.02T in cash and short-term investments, resulting in net debt of $8.42T.
- SK Telecom's trailing P/E of 24.4x exceeds the US-listed Communication Services peer median of 16.2x.
What SK Telecom Co.,Ltd does
SK Telecom Co., Ltd. is a South Korea-based telecommunications provider operating across three segments: Cellular Services, Fixed-Line Telecommunications Services, and Other Businesses. Cellular Services provides wireless voice and data transmission, IoT solutions, cloud computing, smart factory systems, subscription services, and wireless devices. Fixed-Line Telecommunications Services delivers broadband Internet, fixed-line telephone connections, IPTV, and cable TV infrastructure. The Other Businesses segment encompasses T-commerce television shopping, portal services, call center management, base station maintenance, software development, quantum information and communications, digital content sourcing, and e-book sales. The company serves over 35 million subscribers across its wireless and fixed-line networks.
Growth and profitability
Revenue increased from $16.75T in FY2021 to $17.94T in FY2024 before declining 4.7% to $17.10T in FY2025, reflecting a 5-year revenue CAGR of 1.2%. Gross margin remained steady, moving from 86.7% in FY2021 to 87.3% in FY2025, while operating margin fell from 8.6% in FY2021 to 5.9% in FY2025. Annual net income dropped from $2.41T in FY2021 to $408.41B in FY2025, with diluted EPS decreasing to $1.09. Over the trailing twelve months ended June 30, 2026, revenue stood at $17.06T with an operating margin of 13.0%. For the latest quarter, revenue grew 0.5% year-over-year while quarterly earnings rose 450.4%.
Balance sheet and cash flow
As of June 30, 2026, SK Telecom held $2.02T in cash and short-term investments alongside total debt of $10.44T, leaving net debt at $8.42T. Total assets were $32.09T against shareholders' equity of $14.88T, representing a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.70 and a current ratio of 1.25. During FY2025, the company generated $3.96T in operating cash flow and $1.72T in free cash flow, deploying $2.24T into capital expenditures and $636.88B toward dividend payments.
Valuation and performance
SK Telecom trades at a trailing P/E of 24.4x, above the median of its US-listed Communication Services peers at 16.2x, while its forward P/E of 14.7x compares with the peer median of 14.1x. The company carries an enterprise value of $19.74B and an EV-to-EBITDA ratio of 5.6x, lower than the peer group median of 10.0x. Over the past year, SKM generated a return of 50.1%, outperforming the S&P 500 benchmark ETF gain of 16.8%. Over a 5-year horizon, its return of 49.2% trailed the S&P 500 gain of 83.0%.
SKM dividend
SK Telecom pays a forward annual dividend of $0.64 per share, translating to a dividend yield of 1.99%. Payments are made on a quarterly schedule with a payout ratio of 34.2%, and the latest ex-dividend date was August 31, 2026. The company has paid dividends for 31 consecutive years, although its 5-year annualized dividend growth was -0.9%.
What analysts expect
Wall Street coverage includes 1 Buy rating and 1 Hold rating, with no Sell ratings. The mean price target of $35.00 represents a 9.5% premium to the last closing price of $31.96 on October 16, 2026. For the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026, analysts estimate EPS of $2.63 on revenue of $17.67T. SK Telecom has beaten EPS expectations in 2 of the past 4 quarters, with the next earnings release scheduled for October 29, 2026.
Key risks and what to watch
- A debt-to-equity ratio of 0.70 with $10.44T in total debt exposes the business to credit and interest rate conditions.
- Operating margin narrowed from 9.4% in FY2024 to 5.9% in FY2025, reflecting pressure on core operating profitability.
- Revenue growth has been subdued, evidenced by a 5-year CAGR of 1.2% and a quarterly revenue gain of 0.5% year-over-year.
- Five-year annualized dividend growth fell 0.9%, even though the forward payout ratio stands at 34.2%.
AI-generated research summary. Written with AI from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 and checked so every figure matches that data. For information only, not investment advice. Disclaimer
About this SKM AI stock analysis
This page is an AI-written research summary of SK Telecom Co.,Ltd (SKM). The text was generated on October 30, 2026 from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 (company profile, annual results, latest balance sheet, valuation, price performance and analyst estimates). An automatic check rejects any draft that contains a figure not found in that data. It is not investment advice; verify figures on the linked tabs before making decisions.
Related: SKM income statement, SKM balance sheet, SKM key metrics, SKM analyst forecast, SKM chart. See the SKM stock overview for the latest quote and news.
SKM AI stock analysis FAQ
What is SK Telecom's dividend yield and distribution frequency?
SK Telecom provides an annual forward dividend of $0.64 per share, which represents a dividend yield of 1.99% distributed on a quarterly basis.
When is SK Telecom scheduled to report its next earnings?
The company's next earnings report date is scheduled for October 29, 2026.
How has SK Telecom stock performed compared to the S&P 500?
SKM gained 50.1% over the past year, outperforming the S&P 500 ETF return of 16.8%, but its 5-year gain of 49.2% trailed the S&P 500 advance of 83.0%.
What is the consensus analyst target price for SKM?
Analysts have established a mean price target of $35.00, which is 9.5% above the last closing price of $31.96.