Financial Performance Summary - ATN International's Q4 2024 total revenue was $181 million, a 9% decrease compared to $199 million in Q4 2023[16] - The company's Q4 2024 Adjusted EBITDA was $46 million, also a 9% decrease from $51 million in Q4 2023[16] - For the full year 2024, ATN International reported revenue of $729 million, a 4% decrease compared to $762 million in 2023[16] - Full year 2024 Adjusted EBITDA was $184 million, a 3% decrease from $189 million in 2023[16] Segment Performance - US Telecom Q4 2024 revenue decreased by 18% to $86 million from $105 million in Q4 2023[19], and Adjusted EBITDA decreased by 29% to $20 million from $27 million[19] - International Telecom revenue was flat at $95 million in Q4 2024 compared to Q4 2023[19], while Adjusted EBITDA increased by 5% to $32 million[20] Key Performance Indicators - High-Speed Data Broadband Homes Passed increased by 16% year-over-year to approximately 426,000[8] - High-Speed Data Customers increased by 3% year-over-year to approximately 141,000[8] - International Mobile Subscribers decreased by 5% year-over-year to approximately 389,000[8] Balance Sheet and Capital Allocation - ATN International's cash position was $91 million, and debt position was $557 million as of December 31, 2024[23] - Capital expenditures for FY 2024 totaled $110 million[23] - The company's net debt ratio was 254x[23] 2025 Outlook and Strategic Priorities - ATN International expects 2025 revenue and Adjusted EBITDA to be in line with 2024 levels[25] - Capital expenditures for 2025 are projected to be between $90 million and $100 million[25] - The company's strategic priorities include expanding margins in the International segment, stabilizing the US Telecom segment, and reducing internally funded capital expenditures[5, 27]

Finding stocks that will outperform the market is no easy task. Indeed, according to First Trust advisors, only 28% of stocks outperformed the S&P 500 in 2024.That said, it's not impossible to identify market-beating stocks. So, let's look at one stock that has outperformed the market recently, and, in my opinion, will continue to outperform: AT&T (T -5.41%). The turnaround has finally arrivedIt's taken years, but the long-awaited turnaround in AT&T shares finally seems to have arrived. Between 2016 and 202 ...

If you want to generate significant long-term gains in the stock market, one place to start looking for investments is among the companies that Wall Street isn't all that thrilled with today. In the short term, these may not be good performers, and they may not have looked like great buys in recent months or years. But there can be winners to be found among cheaply valued stocks. The trick is to pick out the diamonds in the rough that have a lot of upside potential in the long run.Verizon Communications (VZ ...

Core Insights - Verizon Business has expanded its IoT connectivity services by partnering with Singtel and Skylo, enhancing its global IoT offerings [2][3][9] - The Global IoT Orchestration service allows Verizon customers to activate devices internationally using partner networks, now commercially available with support from Singtel, Bell Canada, and Telenor IoT [3][9] - Verizon's partnership with Skylo will provide satellite connectivity in the U.S., improving coverage in areas with limited cellular service [4][9] Group 1: Partnerships and Services - Singtel will support Verizon Business customers in deploying IoT connectivity in the Asia Pacific region, enhancing the Global IoT Orchestration service [3][9] - Skylo's satellite services will extend Verizon's domestic network coverage, with plans for future international expansion [4][9] - The Global IoT Orchestration service is integrated into the Verizon ThingSpace IoT management platform, allowing centralized management of IoT services across various territories [5][9] Group 2: Executive Statements - Verizon Business emphasizes the importance of its IoT services in meeting global customer needs, highlighting the launch of Global IoT Orchestration and satellite-enhanced coverage [7] - Singtel expresses enthusiasm for supporting Verizon's customers with multi-domestic network offerings, aiming to enhance coverage and innovation across industries [7] - Skylo acknowledges the strengthened relationship with Verizon for Industrial and Enterprise IoT Solutions, emphasizing the reliability of the ThingSpace platform [8] Group 3: Company Overview - Verizon Communications Inc. generated revenues of $134.8 billion in 2024, serving nearly all Fortune 500 companies and focusing on mobility, connectivity, and security [10]

Core Insights - Verizon Business has expanded its IoT connectivity services by partnering with Singtel and Skylo, enhancing its global IoT offerings to cover up to 200 territories worldwide [2][9] - The Global IoT Orchestration service allows Verizon Business customers to activate devices internationally using partner networks, with Singtel focusing on the Asia Pacific region [3][9] - Skylo's satellite services will extend Verizon's domestic network coverage, particularly in areas with limited cellular connectivity, with plans for future international expansion [4][9] Company Developments - The integration of Global IoT Orchestration into the Verizon ThingSpace IoT management platform enables centralized management of IoT connectivity across all territories [5][9] - Verizon's revenue for 2024 was reported at $134.8 billion, indicating strong financial performance and a commitment to innovation in connectivity solutions [10] Partner Contributions - Singtel's partnership will enhance IoT connectivity for Verizon's customers in the Asia Pacific, facilitating real-time management of enterprise IoT applications [7] - Skylo's technology ensures continuous connectivity for IoT devices, addressing coverage challenges in industrial and enterprise applications [8]

Purchasing stocks at the right time can maximize your return on investment, especially if you plan to buy and hold shares toward a short-term or medium-term financial goal. A stock’s P/E ratio can give you an immediate idea of whether a stock is trading at, below or above fair value. While the average P/E ratio varies by industry, most analysts consider a stock with a P/E ratio below 25 to be potentially undervalued by the market.   As the S&P 500 comes off its worst trading week of the year, a few of the i ...

Group 1: Dividend Increases Overview - Several companies have announced significant dividend hikes in early 2025, appealing to long-term investors and retirees as these stocks can help offset inflation [1] - Meta Platforms, Comcast, and Nexstar Media Group are highlighted for their recent dividend increases, with a focus on their yields and future prospects [2] Group 2: Meta Platforms - Meta Platforms raised its quarterly dividend by 5% to $0.525 per share, yielding a modest 0.3%, below the S&P 500 average of 1.3% [3][4] - The company reported a 60% increase in diluted earnings to $23.86 per share and a 22% revenue growth to $164.5 billion, indicating strong financials to support future dividend hikes [4] - Despite the capacity for dividend expansion, the stock may not be suitable for income-focused investors due to its low yield and potential growth risks from competitors like TikTok [5] Group 3: Comcast - Comcast announced a 6.5% dividend increase, marking the 17th consecutive year of hikes, with a new annualized payment of $1.32 per share yielding 3.6% [6] - The stock trades at 9 times trailing earnings, with a modest revenue growth of 1.8% in 2024, reaching $123.7 billion, but carries a significant debt of nearly $100 billion [7] - Comcast's payout ratio is a manageable 32% of earnings, making it a stable income investment option for dividend-centric investors [8] Group 4: Nexstar Media Group - Nexstar Media Group increased its dividend by 10%, the largest hike among the companies mentioned, resulting in a new annualized dividend of $7.44 and a yield of approximately 5% [9] - The company operates a diversified mix of media assets, reaching 220 million people, and maintains profitability with a modest payout ratio of around 44% [10] - Trading at 9 times trailing earnings, Nexstar presents an attractive option for income investors seeking a safe, high-yielding payout despite challenges in the traditional media sector [11]

NEW YORK, Feb. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Board of Directors at Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ) today declared a quarterly dividend of 67.75 cents per outstanding share, unchanged from the previous quarter. The quarterly dividend is payable on May 1, 2025, to Verizon shareholders of record at the close of business on April 10, 2025. Verizon demonstrated strong performance in 2024, as it more than doubled wireless postpaid phone net additions compared to 2023, and continued to take broad ...

Core Insights - Verizon is focusing on developing its own virtual cloud platform to enhance its cloud computing capabilities, with 40% of its network already virtualized [2][3] - The company is expanding broadband coverage through fiber deployment and millimeter wave technology for fixed wireless access, aiming to build approximately 650,000 premises this year [4][5] - Verizon's AI Connect strategy emphasizes three key infrastructure elements: fiber and wave services, improved facilities for equipment, and programmable networks [6] Network Strategy - The virtualization of 40% of the network involves replacing old hardware with software on general-purpose computers, facilitating easier upgrades and management [3] - The use of millimeter wave technology allows Verizon to deliver ultra-fast internet speeds wirelessly to multi-dwelling units, achieving reliable 1 gigabit speeds [5] AI Infrastructure Development - Verizon's AI Connect strategy aims to reimagine its assets for the AI ecosystem, focusing on faster internet connections, better facilities for equipment, and smarter, adaptable networks [6] - Key focus areas for the company include Ultra Wideband Network deployment, development of 5G-Advanced services, and enhancing AI infrastructure capabilities [7]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - PLDT's service revenue grew by 2% year-on-year to PHP 194.7 billion, driven by Fiber Mobile data and Enterprise ICT [9] - Gross revenue rose by 3% to PHP 208.4 billion, with EBITDA expanding by 4% to PHP 108.5 billion [9][10] - EBITDA margin remained strong at 52%, indicating sustained profitability despite ongoing investments [10][19] - Telco Core income increased by 2% to PHP 35.1 billion, reflecting earnings stability [10][19] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Individual segment revenues rose by 2% to PHP 83.5 billion, with Mobile Data increasing by 5% year-on-year [12] - Home segment revenues reached PHP 60.7 billion, with Fiber-only revenues growing by 6% to PHP 56 billion [14] - Enterprise revenues grew by 3% to PHP 48.4 billion, with ICT services up 15% to PHP 35 billion [17] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Active data users reached 41.3 million, with average monthly mobile data usage per user growing by 5% [12] - PLDT's ARPU of PHP 1,488 remains above industry average, with over 75% of new activations opting for premium plans [15] Company Strategy and Development Direction - PLDT is focused on expanding revenues, managing costs, and improving cash flow generation in 2025 [10] - The company aims to leverage 5G expansion and AI-driven marketing strategies to enhance customer engagement and revenue generation [13][50] - PLDT is committed to sustainability, with a goal of running data centers on at least 40% renewable energy by 2030 [72] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's resilience and steady revenue growth despite competitive pressures [36] - The company is focused on cost efficiency while ensuring CapEx is directed towards high-impact areas [36] - Management indicated that they are not yet comfortable providing specific guidance for 2025 core income but expect increases in revenues and profitability [123] Other Important Information - PLDT's net debt-to-EBITDA stands at 2.52 times, with a target to reduce it to 2.0 times in the mid-term [23] - The company retained its investment-grade ratings from S&P and Moody's, reflecting prudent debt management [25] - Maya Bank has shown significant growth, with a customer base increase of 71% year-on-year to 5.4 million [28] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is PLDT's stance on the Konektadong Pinoy Act? - PLDT supports the government's effort to provide open access and requests equal treatment with data transmission providers [79][81] Question: What initiatives are driving customer retention in the Home segment? - PLDT Home focuses on competitive offers, increasing speeds, and improving service quality to maintain a low churn rate of 1.7% [92] Question: How did PLDT drive higher ARPU in Q4 while peers saw a decline? - PLDT achieved higher ARPU through improved sales and marketing infrastructure and effective 5G rollout [99] Question: What is the reason for subscriber losses in prepaid during Q4? - The decline was due to a year-end cleanup of subscribers [127] Question: Can you elaborate on the GPU-as-a-Service offering? - The GPU-as-a-Service offering is in early stages, with discussions ongoing with enterprises to explore use cases [132]