Stock-Split Watch: Is AT&T Next?

Core Viewpoint - The stock market is facing challenges in 2025, with the S&P 500 down 0.4%, but AT&T has shown resilience, up 20.2% year-to-date, making it a defensive investment option [1][8]. Company Performance - AT&T has not conducted a stock split in decades, with its last forward splits occurring in 1987, 1993, and 1998, and a reverse split in 2002 [4][6]. - The company is not in a position to require a stock split, as its shares are under 30, making them affordable [6]. - AT&T announced plans to return 40 billion to shareholders through 2027, split equally between dividends and share buybacks, enhancing shareholder value [7]. Revenue and Financials - In Q1 2025, AT&T reported $21.6 billion in revenue, with 77$16.7 billion) coming from services, and an operating income of $6.7 billion, reflecting a 2.4$32 billion since 2020, following challenges from previous media acquisitions [11]. Subscriber Growth - AT&T added 324,000 postpaid phone customers in Q1 2025, outperforming Verizon, which lost 289,000 customers, but lagging behind T-Mobile, which added 495,000 [12]. Investment Considerations - AT&T is suitable for investors seeking stability, with a forward price-to-earnings ratio under 14 and a high dividend yield of 4% [13][14]. - The company cut its dividend in 2022 to manage cash flow and reduce debt, but plans to spend $20 billion on dividends through 2027, indicating potential for future increases [14]. - Despite its recent outperformance, AT&T has historically underperformed the S&P 500 over the last three, five, and ten years, making it less attractive for growth-focused investors [15].