AT&T (T) Up 5.4% Since Last Earnings Report: Can It Continue?

Core Viewpoint - AT&T has shown a positive trend in its stock performance, with shares increasing by approximately 5.4% since the last earnings report, outperforming the S&P 500 [1] Financial Performance - AT&T reported strong Q2 2025 results, with adjusted earnings and revenues exceeding Zacks Consensus Estimates [2] - The company achieved a net income of $4.46 billion (62 cents per share), up from $3.55 billion (49 cents per share) in the previous year, largely due to higher contributions from DIRECTV investments [4] - Quarterly GAAP operating revenues rose by 3.5% year-over-year to $30.85 billion, surpassing the consensus estimate of $30.53 billion [5] - Adjusted operating income increased to $6.49 billion, with adjusted EBITDA improving to $11.73 billion from $11.34 billion [5] Subscriber Growth - AT&T experienced solid subscriber momentum with 479,000 post-paid net additions, including 401,000 postpaid wireless phone additions [6] - Postpaid churn was recorded at 1.02%, while postpaid phone-only average revenue per user (ARPU) increased by 1.1% year-over-year to $57.04 [6] Segment Performance - Communications segment operating revenues increased to $29.7 billion, driven by a 6.7% rise in Mobility business revenues to $21.84 billion and a 5.8% increase in Consumer Wireline revenues to $3.54 billion [7] - Service revenues from the Mobility unit improved by 3.5% to $16.85 billion, while equipment revenues surged by 18.8% year-over-year to $4.99 billion [8] - Revenues from the Consumer Wireline business benefited from fiber broadband growth, with net fiber additions of 243,000 [8] Cash Flow and Liquidity - For the first half of 2025, AT&T generated $18.81 billion in cash from operations, compared to $16.64 billion in the previous year [10] - Free cash flow for the quarter was $4.39 billion, up from $3.95 billion year-over-year [10] - As of June 30, 2025, AT&T had $10.5 billion in cash and cash equivalents, with long-term debt of $123.06 billion [10] Future Guidance - AT&T anticipates wireless service revenues to grow by 3% or more in 2025, with broadband revenues expected to increase in the mid to high-teens [11] - Adjusted earnings are projected to be between $1.97 and $2.07 per share, with free cash flow expected to exceed $16 billion [11] - The company plans to repurchase $4 billion worth of shares in 2025 and aims to reduce its debt burden by monetizing non-core assets [11] Market Position - AT&T's stock has a subpar Growth Score of D and a Momentum Score of D, but a strong Value Score of B, placing it in the top 40% for value investors [13] - The stock has an aggregate VGM Score of C, indicating a neutral position for investors not focused on a single strategy [13] - Estimates for AT&T have been trending upward, with a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold), suggesting an in-line return in the coming months [14]