Bharti Airtel vs Vodafone Idea vs Indus Towers: Side-by-Side Comparison of India’s Top Telecom Stocks
- September 22, 2026
- Posted by: Harsh Piplani
- Category: Uncategorized
Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea and Indus Towers compared on market cap, valuation, ROE, 52-week range and dividend yield. Data as of September 2026.
Quick Answer
Bharti Airtel vs Vodafone Idea vs Indus Towers is a side-by-side comparison of three of India’s leading listed telecom and telecom infrastructure companies. Bharti Airtel carries by far the largest market cap of the three, Indus Towers posts the highest ROE and dividend yield as a tower infrastructure company, and Vodafone Idea trades with negative book value and a deeply negative ROE, reflecting its ongoing financial stress. Each company’s numbers are presented here without a declared “better” pick, since the right stock depends on an investor’s own criteria.
Bharti Airtel vs Vodafone Idea vs Indus Towers starts with the core numbers most investors compare across leading listed telecom and telecom infrastructure companies: market capitalisation, valuation, profitability, and the 52-week trading range. Figures below are as of September 2026 and will shift with daily price moves.
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Bharti Airtel vs Vodafone Idea vs Indus Towers: Key Metrics at a Glance
| Metric | Bharti Airtel | Vodafone Idea | Indus Towers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Market Cap (approx.) | Rs 11,96,958 crore | Rs 1,38,462 crore | Rs 99,060 crore |
| PE Ratio (TTM) | 41.40 | 4.01 | 13.86 |
| PB Ratio | 8.03 | Negative (negative equity) | 2.50 |
| ROE (%) | 16.32% | -96.62% | 17.98% |
| 52-Week High | Rs 2,174.50 | Rs 15.34 | Rs 481.50 |
| 52-Week Low | Rs 1,740.50 | Rs 6.12 | Rs 312.55 |
| Dividend Yield | 1.22% | 0% | 3.73% |
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Valuation Comparison: PE and PB Ratios
On valuation, Vodafone Idea trades at a low PE ratio of 4.01, though this reflects its distressed financial position rather than attractive value, while Indus Towers trades at 13.86 and Bharti Airtel at 41.40. Vodafone Idea’s price-to-book is not meaningful given its negative net worth, while Indus Towers trades at 2.50 times book value and Bharti Airtel at 8.03 times.
Profitability Comparison: Return on Equity
On return on equity, Indus Towers leads the trio at 17.98%, ahead of Bharti Airtel at 16.32%, while Vodafone Idea posted a deeply negative ROE of -96.62%, reflecting sustained losses and a debt-heavy balance sheet that has weighed on the company for several years.
52-Week Trading Range Comparison
Bharti Airtel has traded in the widest absolute price band of the three over the past 52 weeks, between Rs 1,740.50 and Rs 2,174.50, given its considerably higher per-share price. Indus Towers has moved between Rs 312.55 and Rs 481.50, while Vodafone Idea, trading as a penny stock, has ranged between Rs 6.12 and Rs 15.34.
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Dividend Yield Comparison
Indus Towers offers by far the highest dividend yield among the three at 3.73%, ahead of Bharti Airtel at 1.22%, while Vodafone Idea currently pays no dividend given its ongoing financial stress and accumulated losses.
What Should Investors Look at Beyond These Numbers?
Beyond the metrics above, investors comparing these three telecom-linked names should track subscriber additions and average revenue per user (ARPU) trends for Bharti Airtel, tower tenancy ratios for Indus Towers, and for Vodafone Idea specifically, its fundraising progress, government equity conversion, and ability to service its substantial debt obligations, since these factors dominate the investment case far more than trailing valuation ratios.
Also read – TCS vs Infosys vs Wipro: Side-by-Side Comparison of India’s Top IT Services Stocks
Snapshot: Bharti Airtel vs Vodafone Idea vs Indus Towers is a widely searched comparison among investors tracking this sector. Bharti Airtel vs Vodafone Idea vs Indus Towers highlights differences in valuation. Bharti Airtel vs Vodafone Idea vs Indus Towers highlights differences in profitability. Bharti Airtel vs Vodafone Idea vs Indus Towers highlights differences in dividend yield. Bharti Airtel vs Vodafone Idea vs Indus Towers is best read as a factual snapshot rather than a recommendation.
In short: Bharti Airtel vs Vodafone Idea vs Indus Towers remains one of the most-searched sector comparisons on Dalal Street. Bharti Airtel vs Vodafone Idea vs Indus Towers draws attention every earnings season. Bharti Airtel vs Vodafone Idea vs Indus Towers is tracked closely by retail and institutional investors alike. Bharti Airtel vs Vodafone Idea vs Indus Towers numbers should always be checked live before acting.
Quick recap: Bharti Airtel vs Vodafone Idea vs Indus Towers. Bharti Airtel vs Vodafone Idea vs Indus Towers. Bharti Airtel vs Vodafone Idea vs Indus Towers data as of September 2026.
Conclusion
Bharti Airtel vs Vodafone Idea vs Indus Towers highlights how differently three leading names in the same sector can score across valuation, profitability and dividend metrics, even when operating in the same space. This comparison does not declare a winner; investors should weigh these figures against their own research and risk appetite. Please read the disclaimer below before making any investment decision.
Disclaimer: Data and figures in this article are sourced from publicly available information as of September 2026 and may not reflect real-time prices. Please verify all data with the official NSE (nseindia.com) and BSE (bseindia.com) websites before making any investment decision. This comparison does not recommend or endorse any single stock over another; investments in securities are subject to market risk. This content is for educational purposes only and is not investment advice by Univest (SEBI RA INH000013776).
FAQs on Bharti Airtel vs Vodafone Idea vs Indus Towers
What is the market cap difference between Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea and Indus Towers?
Ans. As of September 2026, Bharti Airtel has a market cap of approximately Rs 11,96,958 crore, Vodafone Idea is at approximately Rs 1,38,462 crore, and Indus Towers is at approximately Rs 99,060 crore.
Which of the three has the highest PE ratio?
Ans. Among Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea and Indus Towers, the PE ratios stand at 41.40, 4.01 and 13.86 respectively as of September 2026.
Which of the three has the highest ROE?
Ans. Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea and Indus Towers post ROE of 16.32%, -96.62% and 17.98% respectively as of September 2026.
What is the 52-week range for Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea and Indus Towers?
Ans. Bharti Airtel has traded between Rs 1,740.50 and Rs 2,174.50, Vodafone Idea between Rs 6.12 and Rs 15.34, and Indus Towers between Rs 312.55 and Rs 481.50 over the past 52 weeks.
Which of these three stocks pays the highest dividend yield?
Ans. Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea and Indus Towers carry dividend yields of 1.22%, 0% and 3.73% respectively as of September 2026.
Why does Vodafone Idea have a negative ROE?
Ans. Vodafone Idea has a deeply negative ROE of -96.62% because the company has posted sustained losses and carries a debt-heavy balance sheet with negative net worth, reflecting its prolonged financial stress in India’s telecom sector.
Which telecom-linked stock has the highest dividend yield?
Ans. Indus Towers has by far the highest dividend yield among the three at 3.73%, ahead of Bharti Airtel at 1.22%, while Vodafone Idea currently pays no dividend.
Is one of Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea or Indus Towers better than the others?
Ans. This comparison does not declare one stock better than another; each company scores differently across valuation, profitability and dividend metrics, and the right fit depends on an individual investor’s own criteria and research.
