Core Viewpoint - T-Mobile US, Inc. (TMUS) is outperforming its peers, particularly Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ), despite telecom stocks being perceived as bond-like investments by some investors [1]. Group 1: Company Performance - T-Mobile has surpassed Verizon in performance metrics, indicating a strong competitive position in the telecom sector [1]. Group 2: Investment Perspective - The article suggests that T-Mobile's performance may attract investors looking for growth opportunities in the telecom industry, contrasting with the traditional view of telecom stocks as stable, bond-like investments [1].

Telkom SA SOC Limited (TKG) has issued a trading statement for the six months ended September 30, 2025 (H1 FY2026), advising shareholders that results are expected to increase significantly, triggering a requirement under JSE Listings Requirements.The Group forecasts that its Headline Earnings Per Share (HEPS) from continuing operations will increase by a substantial 105% to 115% compared to the prior period (H1 FY2025). This projected range places HEPS between 301.1 and 315.8 cents, up from 146.9 cents pre ...

Core Insights - Vodacom Group Limited reported strong interim results for the six months ended September 30, 2025, highlighting resilience and agility in a stable macroeconomic environment, marking an ideal start to its Vision 2030 ambitions [1] Financial Performance - Group service revenue increased by 12.2% to R65.8 billion, with a normalized growth of 13.6%, exceeding medium-term targets for double-digit growth [2] - Total Group revenue rose by 10.9% to R81.6 billion, with a normalized increase of 12.1% [2] - Operating free cash flow surged by 71.0% to R10.0 billion, and Group free cash flow improved to R2.7 billion from a negative R1.076 billion in the previous year [3] - The net debt to EBITDA ratio decreased from 1.1x to 0.9x, and return on capital employed (ROCE) improved by 3.8 percentage points to 26.3% [3] Regional and Segment Performance - Egypt was the standout performer with service revenue growth of 42.3% (48.3% normalized) driven by strong campaigns and data traffic growth of 21.9% [4] - The International business segment reported service revenue growth of 12.2% (13.3% normalized) to R16.7 billion, with a substantial EBITDA increase of 35.0% (33.8% normalized) [5] - Services beyond traditional mobile connectivity contributed 21.8% of Group service revenue, indicating successful diversification [6] Associate Performance - Safaricom's service revenue grew by 11.1% in local currency, contributing to the Group's operating profit growth, with Group EBITDA increasing by 14.7% to R30.5 billion [7] - Headline earnings per share (HEPS) rose by 32.3% to 467 cents per share, and an interim dividend of 330 cents per share was declared, reflecting a 15.8% increase [7] Financial Services Growth - Financial services revenue grew by 20.3% (21.5% normalized) to R8.0 billion, with 93.7 million financial services customers, a 13.1% increase [8] - M-Pesa processed over US$476.8 billion in transaction value over the last year, solidifying its position as Africa's largest mobile money platform [8] Challenges in South Africa - South Africa's service revenue growth was modest at 2.2% to R31.7 billion, with EBITDA declining by 5.3% to R15.5 billion and operating profit reducing by 11.0% [10][12] - The prepaid segment faced challenges, with revenue decreasing by 1.6% to R13.2 billion and a 7.4% decline in the prepaid customer base [12] Strategic Developments - The acquisition of a 30% stake in Maziv received approval, expected to enhance network expansion [12] - The long-standing "Please Call Me" legal dispute was settled out of court, positively impacting interim results [12]

Core Insights - Verizon is reportedly planning to close several retail locations and lay off employees as part of a broader restructuring initiative, with an official announcement expected around November 20 [1][5][10] - The layoffs may affect employees at both closing and remaining locations, particularly underperforming stores [2][10] - There is significant internal concern among employees regarding job security, with reports of reduced income for sales representatives [3][12] Company Strategy - Verizon has been investing heavily in artificial intelligence (AI) to modernize operations and support future growth, with a focus on integrating AI into its services [5][6][12] - The company launched Verizon AI Connect to deploy large-scale AI workloads, leveraging its 5G, fiber, and edge-computing networks [6][8] - CEO Daniel Schulman emphasized a strategic shift towards efficiency and customer experience, with plans to reduce costs while enhancing service through AI [11][12][13] Industry Context - The retail landscape is experiencing significant pressures, with a trend of increasing store closures as companies adapt to digital services and AI automation [14][15][16] - Coresight Research forecasts that U.S. store closures could reach around 15,000 this year, reflecting broader challenges faced by traditional brick-and-mortar retailers [16][17] - Major U.S. retailers have reported a 29.6% decrease in openings and a 334.3% increase in closures in 2025 compared to 2024, indicating a shift in the retail environment [17]

Market Performance - The BSE benchmark fell by 722.43 points, or 0.86%, while the Nifty dropped by 229.8 points, a decline of 0.89% [2][4] - Seven of India's ten most valued companies collectively lost Rs 88,635.28 crore in a holiday-shortened session [4] Company Valuations - Bharti Airtel's market capitalisation decreased by Rs 30,506.26 crore, settling at Rs 11,41,048.30 crore [4] - Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) faced a reduction of Rs 23,680.38 crore, bringing its valuation to Rs 10,82,658.42 crore [4] - Hindustan Unilever's market cap dropped by Rs 12,253.12 crore to Rs 5,67,308.81 crore [4] - Reliance Industries fell by Rs 11,164.29 crore to Rs 20,00,437.77 crore [4] - HDFC Bank saw its market cap decrease by Rs 7,303.93 crore to Rs 15,11,375.21 crore [4] - Infosys' valuation edged down by Rs 2,139.52 crore to Rs 6,13,750.48 crore [4] - ICICI Bank slipped by Rs 1,587.78 crore to Rs 9,59,540.08 crore [4] Gainers - Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) gained Rs 18,469 crore, taking its market value to Rs 5,84,366.54 crore [3][4] - State Bank of India (SBI) rose by Rs 17,492.02 crore to Rs 8,82,400.89 crore [3][4] - Bajaj Finance added Rs 14,965.08 crore, reaching Rs 6,63,721.32 crore [3][4] Rankings - Reliance Industries maintained its position as the country's most valued firm, followed by HDFC Bank, Bharti Airtel, TCS, ICICI Bank, SBI, Bajaj Finance, Infosys, LIC, and Hindustan Unilever [3][4]

Market Valuation Changes - The combined market valuation of seven of the top-10 most valued firms decreased by ₹88,635.28 crore in a holiday-shortened week, with Bharti Airtel and Tata Consultancy Services experiencing the largest declines [1] - The BSE benchmark fell by 722.43 points or 0.86%, while the Nifty declined by 229.8 points or 0.89% during the same period [1] Individual Company Valuations - Bharti Airtel's market valuation dropped by ₹30,506.26 crore to ₹11,41,048.30 crore [2] - Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) saw a valuation decrease of ₹23,680.38 crore, bringing its total to ₹10,82,658.42 crore [2] - Hindustan Unilever's market capitalisation fell by ₹12,253.12 crore to ₹5,67,308.81 crore [3] - Reliance Industries' valuation decreased by ₹11,164.29 crore to ₹20,00,437.77 crore [3] - HDFC Bank's market capitalisation dipped by ₹7,303.93 crore to ₹15,11,375.21 crore [3] - Infosys' valuation edged lower by ₹2,139.52 crore to ₹6,13,750.48 crore [3] - ICICI Bank's valuation declined by ₹1,587.78 crore to ₹9,59,540.08 crore [4] Gainers in Market Valuation - Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) experienced an increase in market capitalisation by ₹18,469 crore to ₹5,84,366.54 crore [4] - State Bank of India saw its valuation rise by ₹17,492.02 crore to ₹8,82,400.89 crore [4] - Bajaj Finance's market valuation increased by ₹14,965.08 crore to ₹6,63,721.32 crore [4] Ranking of Most Valued Firms - Reliance Industries remains the most valued domestic firm, followed by HDFC Bank, Bharti Airtel, TCS, ICICI Bank, State Bank of India, Bajaj Finance, Infosys, LIC, and Hindustan Unilever [4]

Core Insights - Blue-chip stocks are often perceived as safe investments, but this belief can lead to missed opportunities and unforeseen risks [1][2] Myth 1: Blue-Chips Are Always Safe and Risk-Free - Investors mistakenly believe that blue-chip stocks are immune to risks, but even established companies can face challenges [3] - Singtel's EBIT margin decreased from 32% in FY2015 to 19% in FY2021 due to competition and rising 5G costs, highlighting that blue-chip status does not guarantee stability [4] - CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust experienced pressure on unit prices despite high occupancy rates, demonstrating vulnerability to market changes [4] Myth 2: Blue-Chips Don't Deliver Growth, Only Stability - Contrary to the belief that blue-chips cannot grow, some companies continue to achieve significant growth [5] - ST Engineering reported a 7.2% revenue increase to S$5.9 billion and a nearly 20% rise in net profit to S$403 million in the first half of 2025 [6] - DBS Group's dividends increased nearly 15% annually from 2019 to 2024, showcasing the potential for growth among blue-chip companies [7] Myth 3: Blue-Chips Don't Need Monitoring - Continuous monitoring of blue-chip stocks is essential, as business conditions can change [8] - Mapletree Logistics Trust saw a 12.4% year-on-year decline in distribution per unit in Q1 FY25/26, despite previously being viewed as a reliable REIT [9] - Rising finance costs and underperforming portfolio segments can negatively impact cash flow and dividends, emphasizing the need for regular evaluation [10][11] Implications for Investors - Blue-chips should be treated as core holdings but require the same level of scrutiny as any other stock [13] - Investors should review fundamentals quarterly, compare dividend growth to earnings growth, and monitor competitive and economic conditions [14] - Identifying blue-chips that are still growing and rewarding shareholders can lead to valuable investment opportunities [15] Strategic Approach - Blue-chip status provides a strong foundation, but active monitoring and strategic position sizing are crucial for portfolio growth [16] - The combination of blue-chip stability with diligent oversight can enhance investment success [17]

Core Insights - AT&T Inc. is recognized as one of the 15 Best DRIP Stocks to Own Right Now [1] - TD Cowen raised AT&T's price target from $32 to $33, maintaining a Hold rating due to solid subscriber growth [2] - The company reaffirmed its near-term and long-term guidance, although there are concerns regarding ARPU, wireless margins, and competition from Verizon [3] Financial Performance - AT&T reported mixed third-quarter results for 2025, with revenue increasing by 2% year-over-year to $30.7 billion [4] - Operating cash flow remained steady at $10.2 billion, while capital expenditures totaled $4.9 billion, and overall capital investment reached $5.3 billion [4] - Free cash flow rose to $4.9 billion from $4.6 billion a year earlier [4] Guidance and Projections - For the full year, AT&T reiterated its guidance, projecting low-single-digit growth in consolidated service revenue [5] - Mobility service revenue is expected to grow by 3% or more, with mid-to-high-teens growth in consumer fiber broadband revenue [5] - Adjusted EBITDA is anticipated to grow by 3% or more, with mobility EBITDA around 3% [5] Company Overview - AT&T is a leading telecommunications conglomerate providing wireless (5G) and wireline (fiber) services, along with business solutions and entertainment offerings [6]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total operating revenues decreased by 3% year-over-year, with a 1% decline when excluding divestitures, driven by declines in legacy cable and copper markets, partially offset by fiber growth [31] - Adjusted EBITDA also fell by 3% year-over-year, impacted by divestitures and legacy revenue declines, but supported by disciplined cost control [31] - Capital expenditures increased compared to the previous year due to spending on the EACAM program and higher expansion address delivery, with over 80% of 2025 capital expenditures focused on fiber [31][32] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - TDS Telecom achieved a milestone of 1 million fiber addresses, with 42,000 fiber addresses delivered in the quarter, contributing to a 19% growth in residential fiber connections year-over-year [15][23] - Residential fiber net additions were 11,200 in the quarter, reflecting an 8% year-over-year increase [30] - The company is behind schedule on its annual address delivery target but expects the fourth quarter to be the strongest [29] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The fiber business is expected to grow significantly, with a target of 1.8 million marketable fiber service addresses, up from approximately 900,000 [28][84] - The company anticipates achieving gig speeds for at least 95% of its footprint, with 76% currently at gig speeds [28] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on capital allocation decisions, prioritizing investments in fiber, achieving inorganic growth through M&A, and returning capital to shareholders [17][20] - The EACAM program aims to replace legacy copper infrastructure, adding approximately 300,000 new fiber addresses and providing $1.2 billion in regulatory revenue support over 15 years [24][25] - The company plans to pursue edge-out opportunities in adjacent communities without fiber providers, with several hundred thousand potential service addresses identified [18][57] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the fiber business's growth potential and the successful transition to an independent tower company [14][33] - The company is focused on optimizing tower operations and monetizing spectrum, with significant progress made in spectrum monetization [36][38] - Management acknowledged the challenges of transforming the business but emphasized the strong culture and commitment of associates [16] Other Important Information - A $500 million share repurchase program was announced, reflecting the board's confidence in the company's long-term strategy [20][60] - The company expects to declare a special dividend of approximately $10 per share following the closing of the AT&T transaction [18] Q&A Session Summary Question: Update on fiber plan and cohort analysis - Management acknowledged the request for cohort analysis and plans to provide updates in February regarding fiber opportunities and market performance [54][56] Question: Stock buyback program significance - The board's authorization of the buyback program reflects confidence in the company's strategy and is seen as a balanced approach alongside business investments [60] Question: SG&A expenses and wind down costs - Management indicated that SG&A costs are expected to remain high through the first half of next year, with ongoing efforts to rationalize expenses [64][65] Question: Naked tower strategy and land leases - The strategy involves leasing up towers and rationalizing ground rents, with minimal long-term commitments on land leases [75][78] Question: Leverage target and fiber passings impact - The leverage target is set to maximize flexibility, with current leverage at 1.4 times, and future updates on fiber goals will be provided in February [82][84] Question: M&A strategy and edge-out opportunities - Current focus is on operational execution rather than M&A, with potential future opportunities being evaluated [107]

Core Insights - Telus reported $3.71 billion in revenue for Q3 2025, a year-over-year decline of 0.8% and an EPS of $0.17, down from $0.21 a year ago [1] - The revenue fell short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.72 billion by 0.27%, and the EPS was 10.53% below the consensus estimate of $0.19 [1] Financial Performance - The stock has returned -3.7% over the past month, compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's -0.2% change, and currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold) [3] - Key subscriber metrics include: - Mobile Phone Subscribers: 10.27 million, matching the average estimate - Connected Device Subscribers: 4.16 million, exceeding the average estimate of 4.12 million - Internet Subscribers: 2.78 million, slightly above the average estimate of 2.77 million - TV Subscribers: 1.43 million, slightly below the average estimate of 1.44 million - Security Subscribers: 1.15 million, matching the average estimate - Residential Voice Subscribers: 986 thousand, below the average estimate of 991 thousand [4] Churn and Net Additions - Mobile phone churn rate was 1.1%, in line with the average estimate [4] - Net additions for various services were as follows: - Connected Device: 169 thousand, exceeding the estimate of 134.82 thousand - Internet: 40 thousand, above the estimate of 24.97 thousand - TV: 5 thousand, below the estimate of 15.71 thousand - Security: 6 thousand, below the estimate of 10.32 thousand - Residential Voice: -14 thousand, worse than the estimate of -9 thousand [4]