Momentum investing is all about the idea of following a stock's recent trend, which can be in either direction. In the 'long' context, investors will essentially be "buying high, but hoping to sell even higher." And for investors following this methodology, taking advantage of trends in a stock's price is key; once a stock establishes a course, it is more than likely to continue moving in that direction. The goal is that once a stock heads down a fixed path, it will lead to timely and profitable trades.Even ...

Investment Rating - The report maintains a Sell rating for Charter Communications Inc. (CHTR) due to ongoing competitive challenges from both high-end fiber competitors and low-end fixed wireless services [2][12]. Core Insights - Charter Communications has announced an agreement to acquire Cox Communications in a cash and stock transaction valued at $34.5 billion, which is expected to provide significant scale benefits and approximately $500 million in annualized cost synergies [1][3]. - The acquisition is projected to be accretive to free cash flow per share, with Cox being acquired at an EV/EBITDA multiple of 6.4x, while Charter currently trades at 6.5x [1][3]. - The combined entity will have a broadband customer base of 35.9 million, making it the largest cable operator by passings at 69.5 million, surpassing Comcast's 64 million [3]. Transaction Details - The acquisition is expected to close in mid-2026, with Cox owning 23% of the combined entity's shares at the time of closure [3]. - Charter anticipates revenue and EBITDA growth from the deal, driven by churn reduction and enhanced competition for national business customers [3]. - Cox currently has 5.9 million broadband customers with a penetration rate of 48%, while Charter has 30 million broadband customers with a 53% penetration rate [3]. Financial Metrics - The report sets a 12-month price target for Charter at $315, indicating a downside potential of 26.3% from the current price of $427.25 [11][15]. - Revenue forecasts for Charter are projected to be $55.1 billion in 2024, with EBITDA expected to reach $22.6 billion [15]. - Charter's free cash flow yield is estimated at 6.8% for 2025, with a net debt to EBITDA ratio of 4.1x [15].

Core Viewpoint - BofA Securities analyst Jessica Reif Ehrlich maintains a Buy rating on Charter Communications, Inc. with a price target of $450, following the announcement of a merger with Cox Communications valued at $34.5 billion, which includes an equity purchase consideration of $21.9 billion and the assumption of $12.6 billion in Cox debt and lease obligations [1][2]. Group 1: Merger Details - The $21.9 billion equity consideration consists of $11.9 billion in common units, $6 billion in preferred units, and $4 billion in cash [2]. - The pro forma economic ownership of the combined entity will be 67% Charter, 23% Cox, and 10% Advance/Newhouse, with the transaction implying a ~6.44x EV/2025E EBITDA multiple before synergies [2]. - With an estimated $500 million in synergies, the EBITDA multiple is expected to drop below 6x by year three [2]. Group 2: Market Expansion - The merger will expand Charter's reach to 69.5 million passings, 37.6 million customers, and 35.9 million broadband subscribers, allowing for a more aggressive pursuit of mid-sized commercial and enterprise markets [3]. - Charter will be able to apply its pricing and packaging strategy across an additional 12.3 million passings [3]. Group 3: Regulatory Environment - The deal is not expected to face significant regulatory hurdles and is likely to close in mid-2026, as the companies do not have overlapping footprints [4]. - The merger's scale is only slightly larger than Comcast's 64 million passings, and the regulatory approval for the Time Warner Cable/Charter deal in 2015/2016 took less than 12 months [4]. Group 4: Competitive Landscape - Comcast is unlikely to present a competing bid due to a more challenging regulatory path [5]. - The merger is anticipated to enhance revenue growth across broadband, video, and mobile, improve margins, increase free cash flow, and reduce leverage, despite potential integration challenges [5].

Core Viewpoint - The merger between Charter Communications and Cox Communications, valued at $34.5 billion including debt, is set to create a significant player in the U.S. cable and broadband industry, enhancing competition against Comcast [1][2]. Deal Overview - Charter will pay $21.9 billion in equity and assume approximately $12.6 billion of Cox's debt, with Cox receiving $4 billion in cash, $6 billion in convertible preferred units, and about 33.6 million common units, representing roughly 23% ownership in the combined entity [3]. - The merged entity will operate under the Cox Communications name, while the consumer-facing brand will remain Spectrum, with headquarters in Stamford, CT [4]. Market Impact - The merger will expand Charter's footprint to approximately 46 states, reaching nearly 70 million homes and businesses, with a combined customer base of 38 million [5]. - The deal is expected to generate approximately $500 million in annualized cost synergies within three years of closing [6]. Analyst Sentiment - Following the merger announcement, analysts have turned bullish on Charter, with Oppenheimer upgrading the stock to Outperform and setting a price target of $500, citing expectations for significant share buybacks and increased free cash flow by 2027 [8]. - Pivotal Research raised its price target on Charter to $600 from $540, viewing the acquisition as attractive and likely to accelerate growth, with no major regulatory hurdles anticipated [9]. ETFs to Consider - Key communication services ETFs that may benefit from the merger include: - Vanguard Communication Services ETF (VOX), with AUM of $4.5 billion and a Zacks ETF Rank 3 [10][11]. - Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLC), with $21.5 billion in assets and a Zacks ETF Rank 1 [12]. - iShares U.S. Telecommunications ETF (IYZ), with AUM of $399.9 million and a Zacks ETF Rank 3 [13]. - Fidelity MSCI Communication Services Index ETF (FCOM), with $1.5 billion in assets and a Zacks ETF Rank 3 [14].

Company Overview - Charter Communications is the second largest cable operator in the United States and a leading broadband communications company providing video, Internet, and voice services [11] - The company served approximately 30.1 million customers in 41 states through its Spectrum brand as of December 31, 2024 [11] Investment Ratings - Charter Communications holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) [11] - The company has a VGM Score of A, indicating strong overall performance across value, growth, and momentum metrics [11][12] Growth Potential - Charter Communications has a Growth Style Score of B, forecasting year-over-year earnings growth of 13.2% for the current fiscal year [12] - Three analysts revised their earnings estimate higher in the last 60 days for fiscal 2025, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate increasing by $1.68 to $39.58 per share [12] - The company boasts an average earnings surprise of 5.1%, indicating a positive trend in earnings performance [12]

For those looking to find strong Consumer Discretionary stocks, it is prudent to search for companies in the group that are outperforming their peers. Charter Communications (CHTR) is a stock that can certainly grab the attention of many investors, but do its recent returns compare favorably to the sector as a whole? A quick glance at the company's year-to-date performance in comparison to the rest of the Consumer Discretionary sector should help us answer this question.Charter Communications is a member of ...

Charter Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ:CHTR) MoffettNathanson Media, Internet and Communications Conference May 15, 2025 10:30 AM ET Company Participants I promise I'll get to that. But I want to go back and start with something that you said to me a couple of years ago, because it really stuck with me. When you launched Spectrum one, that was the free year of wireless. You told me that it wasn't in your mind a promotion. It was a new category. It was the introduction of communications everywhere. And you wer ...

Core Viewpoint - The merger between Charter and Cox, valued at $34.5 billion, is seen as a strategic move to strengthen their position in the declining pay-TV market and enhance competitiveness against Comcast [1][2]. Group 1: Merger Details - Charter plans to merge with Cox in a deal worth $34.5 billion, which is expected to close within two years, pending regulatory approval [1][2]. - The new entity will be named Cox Communications and will adopt Charter's Spectrum branding for customers [2]. Group 2: Strategic Advantages - The merger is anticipated to provide Charter-Cox with better leverage in negotiations with content providers, as the combined company would have 14.4 million video customers, surpassing Comcast's 12.1 million [4]. - By merging, Charter-Cox can reduce marketing costs and invest more in product and technology, enhancing their geographic reach [3]. Group 3: Impact on Cord-Cutting - Charter has managed to slow down subscriber losses due to cord-cutting by bundling streaming services at no extra charge, which has helped reduce its cord-cutting rate from 9.5% in Q2 2024 to 7.3% in Q1 of the current year [5][7]. - The merger is expected to extend these benefits to Cox customers, potentially improving retention rates [7]. Group 4: Industry Position - Charter's video losses are reportedly the best in the multi-video programming distributor (MVPD) industry, and the company aims to further improve this metric [8][11]. - Analysts have noted that Charter's strategy of including streaming services in its cable bundles is yielding positive results, with improved video subscriber trends [11].

Group 1 - Monteverde & Associates PC has recovered millions of dollars for shareholders and is recognized as a Top 50 Firm in the 2024 ISS Securities Class Action Services Report [1] - The firm is investigating Charter Communications, Inc. regarding its proposed merger with Cox Communications, where Cox Enterprises will own approximately 23% of the combined entity's fully diluted shares outstanding [1] Group 2 - Monteverde & Associates PC is a national class action securities firm with a successful track record in trial and appellate courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court [2] - The firm emphasizes that no company, director, or officer is above the law, and encourages shareholders with concerns to reach out for additional information [3]

Group 1 - Halper Sadeh LLC is investigating Charter Communications, Inc. for potential violations related to its merger with Cox Communications [1] - Inozyme Pharma, Inc. is being sold to BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. for $4.00 per share [2] - The firm may seek increased consideration for shareholders and additional disclosures regarding the proposed transactions [3] Group 2 - Shareholders are encouraged to contact Halper Sadeh LLC to discuss their legal rights and options at no charge [4] - The firm represents investors globally who have experienced securities fraud and corporate misconduct, recovering millions for defrauded investors [4]