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T Misses Q1 Earnings Estimates Despite Higher Revenues
AT&TAT&T(US:T) ZACKSยท2025-04-23 16:20

Core Viewpoint - AT&T Inc. reported mixed first-quarter 2025 results, with adjusted earnings missing consensus estimates while revenues exceeded expectations [1][4]. Financial Performance - Net income on a GAAP basis was $4.39 billion, or 61 cents per share, compared to $3.39 billion, or 47 cents per share, in the same quarter last year, primarily due to higher contributions from DIRECTV investments [3]. - Adjusted earnings improved to 51 cents per share from 48 cents a year ago, but missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by one cent [4]. - Quarterly GAAP operating revenues increased by 2% year over year to $30.63 billion, driven by higher Mobility service and equipment sales, as well as Consumer Wireline revenues, surpassing the consensus mark of $30.44 billion [4]. Subscriber Growth - AT&T experienced solid subscriber momentum with 290,000 post-paid net additions, including 324,000 postpaid wireless phone additions [6]. - Postpaid churn was 0.83%, and postpaid phone-only average revenue per user (ARPU) increased by 1.8% year over year to $56.56 [6]. Segment Performance - Communications segment operating revenues rose to $29.56 billion from $28.86 billion, with Mobility business revenues up 4.7% to $21.57 billion and Consumer Wireline revenues up 5.1% to $3.52 billion, despite a decline in Business Wireline revenues [7]. - Service revenues from the Mobility unit improved by 4.1% to $16.65 billion, while equipment revenues increased by 6.9% year over year to $4.92 billion [8]. - Revenues from the Business Wireline segment declined due to lower demand for legacy services, while total segment operating income improved by 3.6% to $6.99 billion [9]. Cash Flow and Liquidity - In Q1 2025, AT&T generated $9.05 billion in cash from operations, up from $7.55 billion a year ago, with free cash flow of $3.15 billion compared to $2.77 billion in the previous year [11]. - As of March 31, 2024, AT&T had $6.88 billion in cash and cash equivalents, with long-term debt of $117.26 billion, resulting in a net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio of approximately 2.63X [11]. Guidance - For 2025, AT&T expects wireless service revenues to improve in the range of 2-3%, with broadband revenues anticipated to grow in the mid-teens [12]. - Adjusted earnings are projected to be between $1.97 and $2.07 per share, with free cash flow expected to exceed $16 billion due to cost savings [13].