Industry Overview - The Zacks Diversified Communication Services industry is facing challenges such as high capital expenditures for 5G infrastructure, unpredictable raw material prices, supply-chain disruptions due to geopolitical tensions, and high customer inventory levels [1] - The industry is expected to benefit from accelerated 5G rollout and increased fiber densification in the long run [1] Current Market Conditions - Companies like Telenor ASA, Telecom Italia S.p.A., and VEON Ltd. are likely to benefit from increased demand for scalable infrastructure due to the proliferation of IoT and the transition to cloud networks [2] - Demand for traditional telephony services is declining as customers switch to lower-priced alternatives and migrate to IP-based services, exacerbated by ongoing geopolitical tensions [4] Strategic Focus - Companies are focusing on providing customized support services to small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) to improve profitability and adapt to technology advancements [5] - The industry is also offering free services to low-income families and enhancing wireless connectivity to address operating risks [5] Supply Chain and Cost Challenges - The industry continues to face a shortage of chips and high raw material prices due to inflation and economic sanctions, impacting production costs and schedules [6] - Extended lead times for basic components are likely to further escalate production costs and affect profitability [6] Profitability Outlook - The growth of video and bandwidth-intensive applications has led to significant investments in LTE, broadband, and fiber, although these investments have compromised short-term profitability [7] - The industry is transforming from traditional telecommunications firms to technology-driven companies to meet growing demand [7] Industry Performance - The Zacks Diversified Communication Services industry ranks 184, placing it in the bottom 25% of over 250 Zacks industries, indicating bearish near-term prospects [8][9] - The industry has underperformed compared to the S&P 500 and the broader Zacks Utilities sector, with a meager growth of 0.7% over the past year compared to 21.1% and 6.3% respectively [10] Valuation Metrics - The industry is currently trading at a trailing 12-month EV/EBITDA of 11.93X, below the S&P 500's 17.79X and the sector's 14.98X [13] Company Highlights - **Telenor ASA**: Recently completed a $15 billion merger with Axiata Group, with a current-year earnings estimate revised upward by 14.1% to $0.89 per share, and a stock gain of 34.2% in the past year [16] - **Telecom Italia**: Achieved a 101% stock gain in the past year, with current-year earnings estimate revised upward by 188.9% to $0.08 per share [17] - **VEON Ltd.**: Stock gained 112.6% in the past year, with current-year earnings estimate revised upward by 112% since June 2025 [21]

Core Insights - TELUS Corporation has reached a definitive agreement to acquire all outstanding shares of TELUS International, valuing each share at $4.50, totaling approximately $539 million [1][9] - The acquisition is expected to enhance TELUS's digital customer experience, accelerate AI capabilities, and drive SaaS transformation across its core businesses [3][9] - The deal has been unanimously approved by TELUS Digital's board and is supported by EQT, the largest minority shareholder [4][5] Financial Details - Shareholders will have three payment options: $4.50 in cash, 0.273 of a TELUS common share, or a combination of $2.25 in cash and 0.136 of a TELUS share, with no more than 25% of the total consideration paid in shares [2] - The agreed price represents a 52% premium over TELUS Digital's closing share price of $2.96 on June 11, 2025 [2] - The transaction values TELUS Digital at $2.9 billion and is subject to shareholder, court, and regulatory approvals [5] Strategic Implications - The acquisition aligns with TELUS's broader strategy to strengthen its position in digital transformation, AI, and global innovation across multiple industries [3][5] - TELUS Digital's operating revenues increased by 8% in Q2 2025, aided by a stronger U.S. dollar and euro, while adjusted EBITDA decreased by 25.8% year-over-year [6] - The integration aims to enhance TELUS's capabilities in fintech, gaming, media, and healthcare, ensuring substantial value creation for shareholders [3][5] Approval Process - A special shareholder meeting is scheduled for October 27, 2025, with TELUS Digital shareholders of record on September 12 eligible to vote [5] - If approved, the transaction is expected to close in Q4 2025, after which TELUS Digital's shares will be delisted [5][9]

Core Insights - BCE Inc. reported second-quarter 2025 adjusted EPS of C$0.63, down from C$0.78 in the prior-year quarter, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of C$0.52 per share [1][8] - Total operating revenues increased by 1.3% year over year to C$6,085 million, surpassing the consensus estimate of C$4,324.9 million [2][8] - Product revenues surged by 17.4% to C$818 million, while total service revenues dipped by 1.5% to C$5,267 million [2][8] Financial Performance - Bell CTS segment's operating revenues rose by 1% year over year to C$5,334 million, driven by higher product revenues, although service revenues fell by 1.5% to C$4,516 million [3][8] - Mobile phone blended ARPU decreased by 0.7% to C$57.61, attributed to competitive pricing pressures and lower data overage revenues [9] - Adjusted EBITDA fell by 0.9% year over year to C$2,674 million, with a margin of 43.9% compared to 44.9% in the prior-year quarter [11] Subscriber Metrics - Postpaid mobile phone net subscriber activations were 44,547, down from 78,500 in the prior-year quarter, due to a 14.8% decline in gross activations [5][8] - Prepaid mobile phone net subscriber activations decreased to 49,932 from 52,543 in the prior-year quarter, driven by a 3.7% decline in gross activations [6][8] Media Segment - Bell Media revenues grew by 3.8% year over year to C$843 million, supported by an 8.1% increase in subscriber revenues, despite a 3.1% decline in ad revenues [10][8] Cash Flow and Guidance - Operating cash flow decreased by 8.9% year over year to C$1,947 million, while free cash flow increased by 5% to C$1,152 million [12][8] - BCE updated its 2025 financial guidance, now anticipating revenue growth of 0-2%, adjusted EBITDA growth of 0-2%, and a revised free cash flow outlook of 6% to 11% lower [13][14]

Group 1 - Deutsche Telekom AG (DTEGY) is a notable stock in the Utilities sector, currently outperforming its peers with a year-to-date return of 21.9% compared to the sector average of 12.4% [4] - The Zacks Rank for Deutsche Telekom AG is 2 (Buy), indicating a positive outlook based on earnings estimates and revisions [3] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for DTEGY's full-year earnings has increased by 3% over the past quarter, reflecting stronger analyst sentiment [4] Group 2 - Deutsche Telekom AG is part of the Diversified Communication Services industry, which has seen an average gain of 17.4% this year, indicating better performance compared to the industry average [6] - Tele2 (TLTZY) is another strong performer in the Utilities sector, with a year-to-date return of 63.1% and a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) [5] - The Wireline Non-US industry, to which Tele2 belongs, is currently ranked 1 but has experienced a decline of 22.9% year to date [6]

分组1 - BCE reported quarterly earnings of $0.46 per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.52 per share, and down from $0.57 per share a year ago, representing an earnings surprise of -11.54% [1] - The company posted revenues of $4.4 billion for the quarter ended June 2025, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.69%, compared to year-ago revenues of $4.39 billion [2] - BCE has surpassed consensus EPS estimates two times over the last four quarters and topped consensus revenue estimates two times as well [2] 分组2 - The stock's immediate price movement will depend on management's commentary on the earnings call and the sustainability of earnings expectations [3] - BCE shares have added about 0.3% since the beginning of the year, underperforming the S&P 500's gain of 7.9% [3] - The current consensus EPS estimate for the coming quarter is $0.51 on $4.28 billion in revenues, and $2.03 on $17.61 billion in revenues for the current fiscal year [7] 分组3 - The Zacks Industry Rank indicates that the Diversified Communication Services sector is currently in the top 21% of over 250 Zacks industries, suggesting a favorable outlook for the industry [8] - Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions, which can be tracked by investors [5] - The estimate revisions trend for BCE was mixed ahead of the earnings release, resulting in a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold) for the stock, indicating expected performance in line with the market [6]

Company Performance - MYR Group (MYRG) has gained approximately 26% year-to-date, outperforming the Utilities sector, which has returned an average of 12.8% [4] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for MYRG's full-year earnings has increased by 5.8% in the past quarter, indicating improved analyst sentiment and earnings outlook [3] - MYR Group holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), reflecting its potential to beat the market in the near term [3] Industry Context - MYR Group is part of the Electric Construction industry, which currently ranks 1 in the Zacks Industry Rank, with an average year-to-date gain of 26% [5] - The Utilities sector includes 108 individual stocks and has a Zacks Sector Rank of 3, indicating a relatively strong performance compared to other sectors [2] - Another stock in the Utilities sector, Telenor ASA (TELNY), has shown a year-to-date return of 42.1%, highlighting the competitive landscape within the sector [4][6]

Core Insights - TELUS Corporation reported second-quarter 2025 adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of C$0.22, a decrease from C$0.25 in the same period last year [1] - Total operating revenues increased by 2% year over year to C$5,082 million, driven by strong revenue growth across all segments [1] - The company achieved total customer growth of 198,000 in the second quarter, with 167,000 additions in mobile and connected devices, and 31,000 in fixed customers [2] Financial Performance - TELUS' operating revenues from contracts with customers were C$5,031 million, reflecting a 3% year-over-year increase [1] - The company declared a quarterly dividend of C$0.4163 per share, a 7% increase from the previous year's C$0.3891 [2] - Adjusted EBITDA increased modestly by 0.8% year over year to C$1,812 million [18] Segment Results - TTech revenues rose 1% year over year to C$3,848 million, with operating revenues from contracts with customers increasing to C$3,793 million [5] - Mobile network revenues decreased by 1% to C$1,723 million, attributed to a decline in mobile phone ARPU [6] - Fixed data service revenues increased by 3% to C$1,193 million, supported by an expanding subscriber base [9] Strategic Developments - TELUS signed a definitive agreement with La Caisse to sell a 49.9% stake in Terrion for approximately $1.26 billion, valuing the operator at over $2.5 billion [3] - The proceeds from the deal will be used to accelerate debt reduction efforts, aiming for a net debt-to-EBITDA ratio of 3.0 by 2027 [3] Cash Flow and Guidance - Cash generated from operating activities was C$1,166 million, down from C$1,388 million in the previous year, while free cash flow increased by 11% to C$535 million [19] - TELUS reaffirmed its 2025 financial targets, expecting 2-4% growth in TTech operating revenues and 3-5% growth in adjusted EBITDA [20]

Company Overview - Koninklijke KPN NV (KKPNF) is part of the Utilities sector, which consists of 108 individual stocks and currently holds a Zacks Sector Rank of 4 [2] - The company belongs to the Diversified Communication Services industry, which includes 19 stocks and is ranked 28 in the Zacks Industry Rank [6] Performance Metrics - KKPNF has returned approximately 28% year-to-date, significantly outperforming the average return of 11.8% for Utilities companies [4] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for KKPNF's full-year earnings has increased by 3.8% over the past quarter, indicating a positive trend in analyst sentiment [4] Comparative Analysis - Another outperforming stock in the Utilities sector is National Grid (NGG), which has returned 20.9% year-to-date and has a consensus EPS estimate increase of 9.1% over the past three months [5] - The Diversified Communication Services industry, to which KKPNF belongs, has gained an average of 15.3% this year, indicating that KKPNF is performing better than its industry peers [6]

Company Performance - Telus reported quarterly earnings of $0.16 per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.17 per share, and down from $0.18 per share a year ago, representing an earnings surprise of -5.88% [1] - The company posted revenues of $3.67 billion for the quarter ended June 2025, which was 0.17% below the Zacks Consensus Estimate and slightly up from $3.64 billion year-over-year [2] - Over the last four quarters, Telus has surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times and topped revenue estimates two times [2] Future Outlook - The immediate price movement of Telus shares will depend on management's commentary during the earnings call and the earnings outlook for the coming quarters [3][4] - The current consensus EPS estimate for the next quarter is $0.20 on revenues of $3.83 billion, and for the current fiscal year, it is $0.76 on revenues of $15.1 billion [7] - The estimate revisions trend for Telus was mixed ahead of the earnings release, resulting in a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), indicating expected performance in line with the market [6] Industry Context - The Diversified Communication Services industry, to which Telus belongs, is currently in the top 17% of over 250 Zacks industries, suggesting a favorable outlook compared to the bottom 50% [8] - Empirical research indicates a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions, which can be tracked by investors [5]

Company Performance - Lumen reported a quarterly loss of $0.03 per share, significantly better than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of $0.24, representing an earnings surprise of +87.50% [1] - The company posted revenues of $3.09 billion for the quarter ended June 2025, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.06%, and down from $3.27 billion year-over-year [2] - Over the last four quarters, Lumen has surpassed consensus EPS estimates four times and topped consensus revenue estimates three times [2] Stock Outlook - Lumen shares have declined approximately 16% since the beginning of the year, contrasting with the S&P 500's gain of 8.2% [3] - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is -$0.36 on revenues of $3.07 billion, and for the current fiscal year, it is -$1.02 on revenues of $12.49 billion [7] Industry Context - The Diversified Communication Services industry, to which Lumen belongs, is currently ranked in the top 10% of over 250 Zacks industries, indicating a favorable outlook compared to lower-ranked industries [8] - Empirical research suggests a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions, which can impact Lumen's stock performance [5]