Core Viewpoint - In turbulent market conditions, defensive stocks like AT&T are expected to outperform as investors seek safer investment options [1] Group 1: Company Analysis - AT&T is identified as a defensive stock that meets several criteria favorable for investment during market downturns [1] Group 2: Market Context - The article highlights the tendency of investors to gravitate towards safe harbors, similar to captains seeking refuge during storms, indicating a broader market trend towards defensive investments [1]

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Core Viewpoint - AT&T Inc. has significantly outperformed its peers and the industry over the past year, driven by strong growth in 5G services and fiber expansion, despite facing challenges from declining legacy services and competitive pressures [1][9]. Group 1: Stock Performance - AT&T's stock has increased by 58.8% over the past year, compared to a 35.7% rise in the industry [1]. - In comparison, Verizon Communications Inc. has gained 4.3%, while T-Mobile US, Inc. has surged by 53.2% [1]. Group 2: Growth Drivers - AT&T's customer-centric business model is supported by the deployment of mid-band spectrum and fiber densification, which is expected to enhance broadband connectivity for both enterprise and consumer markets [3]. - The company is committed to closing the digital divide, which aligns with its strategy to foster inclusive connectivity and socio-economic progress [3]. Group 3: 5G Network Development - AT&T is leveraging millimeter-wave spectrum for dense urban areas and mid- and low-band spectrum for suburban and rural areas, enhancing its 5G service capabilities [4]. - The company plans to modernize its 5G wireless network using Open RAN technology by 2027, aiming to cover over 300 million people with mid-band 5G spectrum by the end of 2026 [5]. Group 4: Edge Computing Solutions - AT&T anticipates gaining a competitive advantage through edge computing services, which will allow businesses to manage application-specific traffic more effectively [6]. - The Multi-access Edge Compute solution is designed to support low-latency, high-bandwidth applications, enhancing data processing capabilities [7]. Group 5: Challenges and Market Dynamics - Despite strong wireless growth, AT&T is experiencing a decline in legacy services, particularly in its wireline division, due to competition from VoIP providers and aggressive offerings from cable companies [9]. - The company faces margin pressures as it attempts to attract customers with discounts and promotions, which could impact its growth potential [9]. Group 6: Earnings Estimates - Earnings estimates for AT&T have been revised downwards, with a decline of 8.9% for 2025 to $2.14 and for 2026 to $2.26, indicating bearish sentiment towards the stock [11]. Group 7: Future Outlook - By investing in infrastructure and new technologies, AT&T is positioned to enhance connectivity and potentially achieve solid postpaid subscriber growth and higher average revenue per user in its Mobility Service business [12].

There's no such thing as a completely "safe" stock, but some stocks are less risky than others. That's particularly true during times of extreme uncertainty and volatility. The major stock indices have been in free fall since President Donald Trump announced sweeping tariffs last week, and there haven't been many places for investors to hide.Shares of telecom giant AT&T (T 0.66%) have dropped along with the broader stock market, but as this tariff story plays out in the coming weeks and months, AT&T could p ...

Core Viewpoint - AT&T is viewed as a stable investment option in an unstable market, with a significant stock rally of 60% over the past year compared to a 6% rise in the S&P 500 [1] Group 1: Company Restructuring and Financial Performance - AT&T divested from low-margin and unprofitable media assets like DirecTV and Time Warner, allowing it to focus on its core 5G wireless and fiber broadband businesses while reducing debt [2] - In 2023, AT&T added 1.7 million net postpaid phone subscribers and 1.1 million net fiber subscribers, with free cash flow (FCF) increasing by 19% to $16.8 billion, covering $8.1 billion in dividends [3] - For 2024, AT&T expects to add 1.7 million net postpaid phone subscribers and 1 million net fiber subscribers, with FCF growing 5% to $17.6 billion, comfortably covering $8.2 billion in dividends [3] Group 2: Market Position and Future Outlook - AT&T is considered a safe haven stock amid inflation and high interest rates, with a current dividend yield of 3.9% [4] - For 2025, AT&T anticipates mobility service revenue growth at the higher end of 2% to 3%, consumer fiber broadband revenue growth in the mid-teens, and consolidated service revenue growth in low single digits [5] - The company expects to generate over $16 billion in free cash flow and adjusted EPS between $1.97 to $2.07, with adjusted EBITDA projected to grow by at least 3% [6] Group 3: Debt Management and Valuation - AT&T plans to reduce its net-debt-to-adjusted-EBITDA ratio from 2.7 at the end of 2024 to 2.5 in the first half of 2025 while increasing investments in wireless and fiber networks [7] - Analysts project AT&T's revenue and adjusted EBITDA to grow at compound annual rates of 1.5% and 3.2% from 2024 to 2027, with an enterprise value of $314.7 billion [8] - AT&T is trading at 6.9 times this year's adjusted EBITDA, which is competitive compared to Verizon's 6.5 times, despite Verizon offering a higher dividend yield of 6% [8] Group 4: Investment Consideration - AT&T is seen as a worthy investment due to its insulation from tariffs, attractive dividends, and low valuations, making it a safe option for income generation [9]

AT&T (T 0.30%) shareholders have plenty to celebrate, with the stock up 24% thus far in 2025. The telecommunications giant has presented robust earnings, reinforcing an optimistic long-term outlook. The stock's impressive performance is an outlier next to the 3% decline in the S&P 500 index year to date. As such, AT&T has emerged as a reliable source of stability amid the broader stock market volatility that's causing concern about the strength of the U.S. economy. Can AT&T's record-setting rally continue, ...

Investors are shifting their strategies due to rising market uncertainty caused by ongoing tariff disputes and widespread economic concerns. They are seeking safety in historically defensive sectors, and as a result, the telecommunications sector is experiencing a resurgence of interest. The double-digit growth of telecom giants Verizon NYSE: VZ and AT&T NYSE: T over the past three months highlights the renewed attention on these companies. These established telecom titans may be emerging as crucial defensi ...

Group 1 - Dividend-paying stocks are attractive for income generation, especially for retirees or those looking to reinvest dividends into more shares [1] - AT&T is currently trading at approximately $27.30 per share, offering an annual dividend of $1.11 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 4.1% [3] - To generate $1,000 annually from AT&T's dividends, an investor would need to purchase 901 shares, costing around $24,600 at the current share price [3] Group 2 - AT&T's recent earnings report for Q4 2024 showed positive results, with increases in both revenue and subscribers [4] - The company plans to allocate about $40 billion towards dividends and stock buybacks over the next three years, indicating potential for dividend increases [4]

Group 1: Visa - Visa is the 13th-largest American company with a market cap exceeding $600 billion, yet it receives little attention compared to other high-profile stocks [2] - The company has achieved a 10-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18.2%, outperforming the S&P 500's CAGR of 12.4% [3] - Visa's business model is based on charging small usage fees for access to its extensive payment network, which supports over 4 billion Visa-branded cards and trillions of dollars in net payment volumes each quarter [4] - Over the past decade, Visa's quarterly revenue has grown by an average of 12.8% per quarter, with annual revenue increasing from $13.2 billion to $36.8 billion [4] - Annual diluted earnings per share (EPS) have increased from $2 in 2017 to $9.92 today, indicating strong profit growth [5] - The shift from cash to card payments is expected to continue, further enhancing Visa's revenue and profitability [5][6] Group 2: AT&T - AT&T has undergone significant changes, shedding unprofitable ventures and refocusing on wireless and fiber connectivity [7] - The company's net debt peaked at $180 billion in 2018 but has been reduced to $122 billion, a decrease of over 32% [8] - Since the beginning of 2023, AT&T stock has generated a total return of 69%, outperforming the S&P 500's 53% return [9] - AT&T offers an annual dividend of $1.11, resulting in a dividend yield of 4.1%, appealing to income investors [9][10] - The company appears to be on a recovery path with a new strategy and a leaner balance sheet, making it a potential market-beating investment [10]

Core Viewpoint - AT&T has experienced a significant stock rally of nearly 60% over the past year, marking a turnaround from a decade of poor performance [1][2] Financial Performance - The company has reduced its long-term debt from a peak of $200 billion to $123 billion, improving its financial health and obtaining an investment-grade credit rating [3] - AT&T's price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio has increased from under 9 to 18, reflecting a healthier business [4][5] Growth Prospects - AT&T's core business is facing slow growth, with guidance for low-single-digit revenue growth this year and an estimated annual earnings growth of just 4% over the next three to five years [6] - The current valuation at 18 times earnings may be considered expensive given the slow growth, leading to skepticism about the continuation of the stock's recent performance [7] Investment Considerations - AT&T offers a dividend yield of 4.1%, supported by a manageable 52% payout ratio, making it attractive for income-focused investors [9] - The stock has a low beta of 0.52, indicating lower volatility compared to the broader market, which may appeal to conservative investors [10] - While the potential for substantial returns may be limited, AT&T could still be a solid buy for retirees and income-focused investors [11]