AT&T (T) Shares Surge on Positive Financial Outlook

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Dec 03, 2024
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Shares of telecommunications giant AT&T (T, Financial) experienced a notable increase of 4.25%. This rise came after the company's announcement of a promising long-term financial plan, projecting substantial growth and profit over the next three years, alongside initiatives to enhance shareholder value.

Trading currently at $23.67, AT&T (T, Financial) has been making waves in the financial markets. Despite the recent price uptick, the stock remains significantly overvalued according to its GF Value, which is estimated at $17.53. This suggests a considerable downside from the current market price. The company's market capitalization stands at approximately $169.80 billion, with a price-to-earnings (PE) ratio of 19.24, indicating modest valuation metrics relative to its earnings.

AT&T's (T, Financial) Piotroski F-Score of 7 suggests strong financial health, while a Beneish M-Score of -2.78 indicates it is unlikely to be a manipulator. However, the firm's Altman Z-Score of 0.81 places it in the distress zone, implying a risk of financial instability. Notably, the company's price-to-book (PB) ratio of 1.66 reflects valuation levels close to a 10-year high, suggesting limited room for further appreciation.

On the dividend front, AT&T (T, Financial) offers a yield of 4.69%, which is appealing to income-focused investors. However, the dividend yield is near a decade-low, coupled with a 5-year dividend growth rate of -12.8%, highlighting the challenges in sustaining dividend increases. The company's forward cash flow yield of 10.51% denotes a strong cash generation capacity relative to its market value.

Looking ahead, AT&T (T, Financial) has shown improvement in operating margin expansion, a positive sign for profitability. Yet, its return on invested capital (ROIC) lags behind the weighted average cost of capital (WACC), raising concerns about capital efficiency.

Overall, while AT&T's (T, Financial) long-term growth projections and current financial strength indicators are encouraging, potential investors should weigh these against its valuation concerns and modest GF Value.

Disclosures

I/We may personally own shares in some of the companies mentioned above. However, those positions are not material to either the company or to my/our portfolios.