Shares of AT&T Inc T were climbing Thursday after the company reported its second-quarter results.
AT&T shares surged 5.2% after Q2 financial results, driven by strong free cash flow, postpaid phone operations, and debt reduction. Revenue declined slightly due to the Business Wireline unit, while other units like Mobility and Consumer Wireline saw growth. Management reaffirmed guidance for 2024, with a focus on debt reduction, fiber network expansion, and growth in its FirstNet business.
AT&T offers a 6.1% dividend yield with a 59.7% payout ratio. Verizon provides a higher 6.84% dividend yield but with a 100% payout ratio.
AT&T reported second-quarter results that missed revenue expectations, but there was plenty of good news. Wireless subscriber growth accelerated, churn remained extremely low, and the fiber internet business thrived.
AT&T is finding that by offering both mobility and broadband services, it's gaining and retaining more customers. The company added 419,000 postpaid phone subscribers during the second quarter, up from 326,000 during the same quarter a year earlier, executives said Wednesday (July 24) during the company's quarterly earnings call.
AT&T NYSE: T is in the communication services sector and is the fourth-largest telecom company in the world. Let's get a better understanding of the business and its differences from competitors.
AT&T's subscriber growth beat expectations. But revenue and earnings declined.
U.S. stocks traded lower toward the end of trading, with the S&P 500 falling around 100 points on Wednesday.
Despite the slight Q2 revenue miss, markets have rewarded AT&T's stock with further gains. This differs from the selloff at Verizon earlier this week on similar earnings headline figures. The stock's post-earnings upsurge continues to reflect the market's optimism for AT&T's sustained market share gains, especially given the rising mix shift towards its higher-margin postpaid phone and fiber businesses. Looking ahead, the continued ramp of Internet Air, alongside incremental upgrade cycle and cyclical tailwinds will be additive to AT&T's growth outlook.
Goldman Sachs analyst James Schneider reiterated a Buy rating on AT&T Inc T with a price target of $22.
AT&T (T) shares rose Wednesday after the company reported second quarter results buoyed by more new subscribers than analysts expected.
Aggressive buyers of AT&T Inc. stock at sub $15, now holding shares for long-term investment with focus on dividends, spinoffs, and gains. AT&T Q2 earnings fell short on revenue but showed strong subscriber adds, especially in postpaid phone net adds and fiber net adds. CEO commentary highlights AT&T's investment-led strategy and strength in fiber, with a focus on growing subscribers and revenues.