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Customer Growth at AT&T Outpaces Inflation

  • AT&T Inc.'s profit and user growth were stronger than expected, and the increase in share prices of the company was the largest since the beginning of the pandemic
  • The biggest intraday gain since March 2020 occurred when AT&T’s shares surged as much as 10% in New York on October 20, 2022
  • The company asserted that "record levels" of investment in 5G and fiber-network buildouts in the first three quarters of 2022 contributed to the completion of its wireless enhancements earlier than expected

AT&T Inc. Strong Profit and Growth

The share prices of AT&T Inc. recorded their largest increase since the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic after the company reported better-than-expected profit and user growth. Improvement in results by the telecommunications giant—the first wireless carrier to report earnings for Q3 2022—indicates that the sector continues to be immune to decades-high inflation and constrained consumer spending. On October 20, 2022, AT&T’s stock prices increased as much as 10% in New York, the largest intraday increase since March 2020.

Investors began to worry early in 2022 when the company cut its free cash flow forecast from $16 billion, in part because of late payments by customers, raising questions about its ability to pay $8 billion dividend and keep to debt-reduction plans. Bill-paying habits among consumers reverted to the pre-pandemic levels.

The company claimed that "record levels" of investment in 5G and fiber-network buildouts in the first three quarters of 2022 are partly responsible for its wireless improvements being completed ahead of schedule. AT&T expects a more than $2 billion decrease in spending in the fourth quarter. The company reported a significant increase in the total revenue and net profit in 2022 over that in the last few years. AT&T sold its media division to concentrate on the rollout of 5G wireless and fiber broadband. The company is considering a joint venture to help extend fiber to other markets.

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