AT&T Inc. provides telecommunications and technology services worldwide. The company operates through two segments, Communications and Latin America. The Communications segment offers wireless voice and data communications services; and sells handsets, wireless data cards, wireless computing devices, carrying cases/protective covers, and wireless chargers through its own company-owned stores, agents, and third-party retail stores. It also provides Virtual Private Networks, AT&T Dedicated Internet, Ethernet, data services, cloud solutions, outsourcing, and managed professional services, as well as customer premises equipment for multinational corporations, small and mid-sized businesses, governmental, and wholesale customers. In addition, this segment offers broadband services, including fiber connections, legacy telephony voice communication services, and other VoIP services and equipment to residential customers. This segment markets its communications services and products under the AT&T, AT&T Business, Cricket, AT&T PREPAID, and AT&T Fiber brand names. The Latin America segment provides postpaid and prepaid wireless services in Mexico under the AT&T and Unefon brand names, as well as sells smartphones through its owned stores, agents and third-party retail stores. The company was formerly known as SBC Communications Inc. and changed its name to AT&T Inc. in 2005. AT&T Inc. was incorporated in 1983 and is based in Dallas, Texas.

AT&T Inc.

The First Trust Multi-Asset Diversified Income Index Fund ETF is seeing unusually high volume in afternoon trading Tuesday, with over 880,000 shares traded versus three month average volume of about 71,000. Shares of MDIV were off about 0.2% on the day.
Components of that ETF with the highest volume on Tuesday were AT&T, trading up about 0.7% with over 19.3 million shares changing hands so far this session, and Regions Financial, up about 0.3% on volume of over 16.8 million shares. Western Union is the component faring the best Tuesday, higher by about 3.8% on the day, while Northwest Bancshares is lagging other components of the First Trust Multi-Asset Diversified Income Index Fund ETF, trading lower by about 5.6%.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Tuesday's ETF with Unusual Volume: MDIV

The NASDAQ 100 Pre-Market Indicator is up 53.64 to 25,875.19. The total Pre-Market volume is currently 181,298,497 shares traded.
The following are the most active stocks for the pre-market session:
SoFi Technologies, Inc. (SOFI) is +1.2302 at $31.23, with 12,886,791 shares traded. Smarter Analyst Reports: SoFi Concludes Acquisition of Technisys
Direxion Daily TSLA Bull 2X Shares (TSLL) is +0.39 at $21.64, with 9,647,229 shares traded. This represents a 244.04% increase from its 52 Week Low.
PayPal Holdings, Inc. (PYPL) is +10.3999 at $80.65, with 7,959,798 shares traded. Smarter Analyst Reports: Post 65% Decline, What’s Ahead for PayPal Stock?
ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ (SQQQ) is -0.08 at $13.14, with 4,225,927 shares traded., following a 52-week high recorded in prior regular session.
NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA) is +1.51 at $193.00, with 3,640,594 shares traded. As reported by Zacks, the current mean recommendation for NVDA is in the "buy range".
Bitfarms Ltd. (BITF) is -0.11 at $4.43, with 2,210,212 shares traded. As reported by Zacks, the current mean recommendation for BITF is in the "buy range".
United Parcel Service, Inc. (UPS) is +11.0228 at $100.24, with 2,130,651 shares traded. UPS's current last sale is 100.24% of the target price of $100.
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH) is +17.395 at $383.38, with 1,426,129 shares traded. Over the last four weeks they have had 3 up revisions for the earnings forecast, for the fiscal quarter ending Dec 2025. The consensus EPS forecast is $2.07. As reported by Zacks, the current mean recommendation for UNH is in the "buy range".
AT&T Inc. (T) is -0.0399 at $25.49, with 1,184,165 shares traded. As reported by Zacks, the current mean recommendation for T is in the "buy range".
Cameco Corporation (CCJ) is +13.68 at $100.30, with 1,084,287 shares traded. As reported by Zacks, the current mean recommendation for CCJ is in the "buy range".
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NCLH) is -0.81 at $22.70, with 908,061 shares traded.NCLH is scheduled to provide an earnings report on 11/4/2025, for the fiscal quarter ending Sep2025. The consensus earnings per share forecast is 1.11 per share, which represents a 97 percent increase over the EPS one Year Ago
NuScale Power Corporation (SMR) is +1.0495 at $39.76, with 844,905 shares traded. SMR's current last sale is 104.63% of the target price of $38.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Pre-Market Most Active for Oct 28, 2025 : SOFI, TSLL, PYPL, SQQQ, NVDA, BITF, UPS, UNH, T, CCJ, NCLH, SMR

Verizon Communications Inc. VZ is scheduled to report third-quarter 2025 earnings on Oct. 29. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for sales and earnings is pegged at $34.18 billion and $1.19 per share, respectively. Earnings estimates for VZ have declined marginally from $4.70 per share to $4.69 for 2025, and decreased from $4.94 per share to $4.92 for 2026 over the past 30 days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Earnings Surprise History
The communication services provider has a solid trailing four-quarter earnings surprise history, having exceeded expectations on each occasion. It delivered a four-quarter earnings surprise of 2.16%, on average. In the last reported quarter, the company pulled off an earnings surprise of 3.39%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Earnings Whispers
Our proven model does not conclusively predict an earnings beat for Verizon for the third quarter. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the chances of an earnings beat. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter. That is not the case here.
Verizon currently has an ESP of -1.51% with a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Factors Shaping Upcoming Results
During the quarter, Verizon introduced several tailored plans to expand its customer reach across different segments of the Internet user base. In Florida, which consists of a vibrant senior population, Verizon has introduced a new 55+ plan in the state at affordable rates, 24/7 tech support and emergency satellite messaging features. However, the company is set to face stiff competition from AT&T, Inc. T and T-Mobile US, Inc. TMUS. T and TMUS have also introduced wireless plans with enticing features tailored for people aged 55 and above.
The company has also introduced Tracfone Freedom with its leading prepaid brand, Tracfone Wireless. The plan offers unlimited talk time, text and data for $45 per month with Auto-pay. Backed by Verizon's comprehensive 5G network, the plan comes with built-in spam and fraud protection features. It also includes international connectivity for calling, texting and roaming in Canada & Mexico and an additional 10% discount for military members and veterans. Verizon’s offering of mix and match pricing plans in both wireless and home broadband has led to strong customer additions.
In the quarter under review, the Tampa Police Department has formed a partnership with Verizon Frontline. Verizon Frontline is set to deploy and activate around 950 5G Ultra-Wideband-enabled smartphones, significantly upgrading the mission-critical communication infrastructure of the police department.
In the to be reported quarter, Verizon Business has deployed advanced converged network (Wi-Fi) services at the National Hockey League team St. Louis Blues’ stadium, Enterprise Center. Verizon Business is witnessing weak demand trends. However, customer wins like this are expected to partially reverse this declining trend.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues from the Consumer segment is pegged at $26.23 billion, while our model projects revenues of $26.01 billion. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues from the Business segment is pegged at $7.28 billion, while our model projects revenues of $7.29 billion.
Price Performance
Over the past year, VZ has declined 6.1% against the industry’s decline of 2.1%. It has also underperformed its peers like AT&T and T-Mobile over this period. While AT&T gained 14.5%, T-Mobile was down 3.9%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Key Valuation Metric
From a valuation standpoint, Verizon appears attractive relative to the industry and is trading below its mean. Going by the price/earnings ratio, the company shares currently trade at 7.96 forward earnings, lower than 12.01 for the industry and the stock’s mean of 8.95.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Investment Considerations
Verizon has been gaining solid traction in the Consumer segment, backed by some major growth drivers. It is steadily building the entire network infrastructure and ecosystem to provide the most amazing 5G experience to customers. The company has witnessed increased adoption of 5G devices and premium unlimited plans. Verizon’s customer segmentation strategy, which categorizes different client groups, helps it deliver tailored solutions to different sectors. Such personalized offerings help in client retention and drive average revenue per account growth.
However, it is affected by weakness in the Business Segment, which primarily includes the wireless and wireline operations of wholesale, public sector and other small and medium businesses. Demand softness in the public sector business will continue to impact Verizon’s Business segment in the second half of 2025 as well.
The company’s effort to diversify its revenue stream by venturing into new markets such as public safety and the automotive domain is positive. However, stiff competition in its primary revenue drivers, which are 5G and broadband, is still hindering the top line growth.In a bid to expand its customer base, Verizon is spending heavily on promotion and is also offering lucrative discounts, which are weighing on margins.
End Note
VZ’s effective customer-focused strategy, combined with a strong 5G network, is driving momentum in the wireless vertical. However, intense competition and weakness in the business segment are concerns. Macroeconomic challenges remain a concern. Downtrend in estimate revision highlights dwindling investors' confidence about the stocks growth potential. Verizon currently carries a Zacks Rank 4, hence, investors should be better off if they avoid investing in this stock.
Beyond Nvidia: AI's Second Wave Is Here
The AI revolution has already minted millionaires. But the stocks everyone knows about aren't likely to keep delivering the biggest profits. Little-known AI firms tackling the world's biggest problems may be more lucrative in the coming months and years.
See "2nd Wave" AI stocks now >>
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
AT&T Inc. (T) : Free Stock Analysis Report
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Should Verizon Stock Be in Your Portfolio Pre Q3 Earnings?

Key Points
Declining interest rates will make CDs less attractive.
Dividend stocks will become more appealing as CD rates decline.
Investors might lock up too much cash to avoid early withdrawal penalties.
Certificates of deposit (CDs) are a popular way to generate extra income with minimal risk. Investors simply agree to lock up their cash at a bank for a set amount of time, then receive interest payments at the agreed annual percentage yield (APY).
For example, if you invest $10,000 in a 12-month CD with a APY of 3%, you'll get your $10,000 back with $300 in interest once that year ends (or monthly depending on the CD). Your principal, as long as it doesn't exceed $250,000, will also be fully protected by the FDIC even if the issuing bank fails.
Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now, when you join Stock Advisor. See the stocks »
That's why CDs became so popular when the Federal Reserve raised its benchmark interest rate 11 times throughout 2022 and 2023. Those rising rates drove investors away from stocks, but they significantly boosted the yields of CDs and U.S. Treasuries. As interest rates peaked in late 2023, the average yields of 12-month CDs climbed to 5%-6%. Today, CDs might still look appealing with 12-month APYs of up to 4%. However, it's actually a bad idea to open up a new CD right now for three simple reasons.
1. Declining interest rates
CDs attracted a lot of investors when interest rates rose, but the Fed already reduced its benchmark rate three times in 2024 and once in 2025. The Fed funds rate currently sits at just 4.00%-4.25%, and many analysts expect at least two more rate cuts this year.
As interest rates decline, CDs will become less attractive. You can still lock away some cash in 12-month CDs with a 4% APY, but you won't be able to deploy that cash on more attractive (and higher-yielding) investment opportunities. Once that CD matures, you probably won't find a CD with a comparable yield as interest rates should continue to drop.
2. Dividend stocks could generate higher yields
As interest rates decline, more income-oriented investors will likely pivot toward blue chip dividend stocks that pay higher yields than CDs or T-bills. The telecom giant AT&T (NYSE: T), which recently divested its weaker media assets to focus on expanding its higher-growth 5G and fiber businesses, pays a respectable forward dividend yield of 4.3%.
The tobacco giant Altria (NYSE: MO), which has been expanding its portfolio of smoke-free products to curb its long-term dependence on traditional cigarettes, pays an even higher forward yield of 6.6%.
Investors who want steady passive income can also invest in reliable real estate investment trusts (REITs) like Realty Income (NYSE: O) -- which simply purchases many properties, rents them out to recession-resistant retailers, and pay out most of that rental income to its investors as dividends. In other words, income investors will gain many more high-yielding options as interest rates decline -- so you probably don't want to lock up all your cash in a longer-term CD as that happens.
3. Early withdrawal penalties
If you want to cancel your CD and put your cash in another investment, you'll likely need to pay an early withdrawal penalty unless it's a special "no-penalty" CD. That penalty is usually around half of the interest accrued so far and won't be deducted from your principal.
That might not seem like much, but you could have avoided that penalty and earned a higher yield by putting your cash in a reliable blue chip dividend stock. It also makes sense to invest in those dividend stocks before the Fed's upcoming interest rate cuts drive up their stock prices and valuations while reducing their annual yields.
CDs are safe, but they're not always the best option
CDs are still a nearly risk-free way to earn extra income. But as interest rates decline, there's no guarantee those CDs will outpace the average inflation rate of 2%-3%. If those yields lag inflation, your purchasing power will wither. If you're willing to take on a little more risk for a higher yield, it makes more sense to buy dividend stocks instead.
Should you invest $1,000 in Realty Income right now?
Before you buy stock in Realty Income, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Realty Income wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $590,357!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,141,380!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 1,033% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 193% for the S&P 500. Don’t miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor.
*Stock Advisor returns as of October 20, 2025
Leo Sun has positions in Altria Group and Realty Income. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Realty Income. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

3 Reasons Not to Open a CD Right Now, Even With Rates at 4%

The Opal Dividend Income ETF is seeing unusually high volume in afternoon trading Friday, with over 159,000 shares traded versus three month average volume of about 31,000. Shares of DIVZ were up about 0.4% on the day.
Components of that ETF with the highest volume on Friday were AT&T, trading up about 1.6% with over 57.0 million shares changing hands so far this session, and Verizon Communications, up about 0.7% on volume of over 19.2 million shares. Goldman Sachs Group is the component faring the best Friday, higher by about 4.4% on the day, while Kinder Morgan is lagging other components of the Opal Dividend Income ETF, trading lower by about 1.6%.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Friday's ETF with Unusual Volume: DIVZ

Verizon Communications Inc. VZ and Charter Communications Inc. CHTR are leading U.S. communication services providers offering broadband and connectivity options. They primarily compete in fixed broadband, wireless services and enterprise connectivity verticals. Operating as one of the premier wireless service providers in the United States, Verizon provides a vast array of communication and business solutions that include wireless, local exchange, long-distance, data/broadband and Internet, video, managed networking, wholesale and cloud-based services.
Charter is the second largest cable operator in the United States and a leading broadband communications company providing video, Internet and voice services. The company serves approximately 57 million customers in 41 states through its Spectrum brand.
Let us delve a little deeper into the companies’ competitive dynamics to understand which of the two is relatively better placed in the broadband and telecom services industry.
The Case for Verizon
Verizon is benefiting from the growing demand for its industry-leading 5G portfolio. With a customer-centric business model, the company delivers faster peak data speeds and capacity for customers, driven by disciplined engineering and steady infrastructure investments. The company’s 5G network hinges on three fundamental drivers to deliver the full potential of next-generation wireless technology. These include massive spectrum holdings, particularly in the millimeter-wave bands for faster data transfer, end-to-end deep fiber resources and the ability to deploy a large number of small cells.
Verizon is witnessing significant 5G adoption and fixed wireless broadband momentum with premium unlimited plans. It is offering various mix-and-match pricing in both wireless and home broadband plans, which has led to solid customer additions. Moreover, in the enterprise and wholesale business, Verizon is shifting its revenue mix toward newer growth services like cloud, security and professional services.
Verizon has further expanded Fios Forward to support digital inclusion and provide opportunities for underserved households to thrive in the digital world. With no data caps, Fios customers can experience faster upload and download speeds than any other comparable plans. The telecom giant plans to accelerate the availability of its 5G Ultra Wideband network across the country. The company’s growth strategy includes 5G mobility, nationwide broadband and mobile edge compute and business solutions.
However, the company operates in a highly competitive market and faces competition from other major players, such as AT&T, Inc. T, Charter and T-Mobile US, Inc. TMUS. AT&T is also aggressively expanding its fiber footprint. The company is acquiring Lumen’s fiber business. It is placing a strong focus on the densification of its existing fiber infrastructure. Such initiatives from AT&T can pose a challenge to Verizon’s fiber network expansion. In a bid to expand its customer base, Verizon is spending heavily on promotion and is also offering lucrative discounts, which are weighing on margins.
The Case for Charter
Charter is witnessing growth in residential mobile service and residential Internet services. The company has expanded its 5G coverage nationwide. Its Spectrum Mobile is the core element of Charter’s converged network strategy, which aims to deliver highly competitive, simple data plans and pricing and ensure a premium connectivity experience for end users. The company is increasing collaboration with federal, state and local governments to bring Spectrum Internet to rural and underserved regions.
Charter has pledged to invest $7 billion to add 100,000+ miles of fiber-optic network infrastructure. The company intends to deliver multigigabit and symmetrical Internet services across 1.7 million locations. The company has expanded its gigabit broadband, mobile, TV and voice services in the states of Wisconsin, Tennessee and Indiana. With up to 1 Gbps, advanced Wi-Fi and 100% U.S.-based customer service, the company is steadily expanding Spectrum’s footprint across the country.
Expansion of its network infrastructure is opening up new revenue-generating opportunities. Nexar, a prominent AI-powered mobility solution provider, has opted to leverage Spectrum’s expansive managed wireless network to facilitate faster delivery of roadway insights to the cloud. Successful integration will boost Charter’s prospects in the emerging market of vehicle safety and data-driven mobility infrastructure vertical.
However, the company operates in a fiercely competitive and saturated U.S. wireless market. Streaming services continue disrupting traditional video consumption patterns, while wireless home Internet products offer comparable speeds at lower bundled prices when combined with mobile services. This multi-vector competition forces Charter into defensive pricing strategies that compress margins while requiring increased marketing expenditures to maintain market position in an increasingly saturated broadband market.
How Do Zacks Estimates Compare for VZ & CHTR?
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Verizon’s 2025 sales and EPS implies year-over-year growth of 2.6% and 2.2%, respectively. The EPS estimate for 2025 has been trending southward (down 0.2%) over the past 60 days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Charter’s 2025 sales and EPS indicates year-over-year growth of 0.1% and 10.7%, respectively. The EPS estimates have been trending northward (up 0.5%) over the past 60 days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Price Performance & Valuation of VZ & CHTR
Over the past year, Verizon has lost 7.2% compared with the industry’s decline of 1.6%. Charter has plummeted 27.4% over the same period.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Charter looks more attractive than Verizon from a valuation standpoint. Going by the price/earnings ratio, Charter’s shares currently trade at 5.74 forward earnings, lower than 7.87 for Verizon.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
End Note
While Charter carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), Verizon has a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Charter has shown steady revenue growth over the past few years, while Verizon has been witnessing a bumpy road. Downtrend in estimate revisions shows dwindling investor sentiment for Verizon. Moreover, Charter appears to have attractive valuation metrics compared with Verizon. With a better Zacks Rank, an aggressive growth path (broadband upgrades + bundling + M&A), CHTR offers more upside potential and appears to be relatively better placed than Verizon. Consequently, Charter is a better investment option at the moment.
Zacks Names #1 Semiconductor Stock
This under-the-radar company specializes in semiconductor products that titans like NVIDIA don't build. It's uniquely positioned to take advantage of the next growth stage of this market. And it's just beginning to enter the spotlight, which is exactly where you want to be.
With strong earnings growth and an expanding customer base, it's positioned to feed the rampant demand for Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Internet of Things. Global semiconductor manufacturing is projected to explode from $452 billion in 2021 to $971 billion by 2028.
See This Stock Now for Free >>
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
AT&T Inc. (T) : Free Stock Analysis Report
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

VZ vs. CHTR: Which Connectivity Stock is the Better Buy Now?

Fintel reports that on October 23, 2025, RBC Capital maintained coverage of AT&T (NYSE:T) with a Outperform recommendation.
Analyst Price Forecast Suggests 22.41% Upside
As of September 29, 2025, the average one-year price target for AT&T is $30.12/share. The forecasts range from a low of $19.19 to a high of $35.70. The average price target represents an increase of 22.41% from its latest reported closing price of $24.61 / share.
See our leaderboard of companies with the largest price target upside.
The projected annual revenue for AT&T is 128,044MM, an increase of 2.86%. The projected annual non-GAAP EPS is 2.63.
What is the Fund Sentiment?
There are 4,038 funds or institutions reporting positions in AT&T. This is an increase of 47 owner(s) or 1.18% in the last quarter. Average portfolio weight of all funds dedicated to T is 0.48%, an increase of 6.37%. Total shares owned by institutions decreased in the last three months by 2.10% to 5,353,239K shares. The put/call ratio of T is 0.76, indicating a bullish outlook.
What are Other Shareholders Doing?
VTSMX - Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Investor Shares holds 231,449K shares representing 3.26% ownership of the company. In its prior filing, the firm reported owning 226,784K shares , representing an increase of 2.02%. The firm decreased its portfolio allocation in T by 6.82% over the last quarter.
VFINX - Vanguard 500 Index Fund Investor Shares holds 204,250K shares representing 2.87% ownership of the company. In its prior filing, the firm reported owning 199,460K shares , representing an increase of 2.35%. The firm decreased its portfolio allocation in T by 6.90% over the last quarter.
Newport Trust holds 187,091K shares representing 2.63% ownership of the company. In its prior filing, the firm reported owning 189,763K shares , representing a decrease of 1.43%. The firm decreased its portfolio allocation in T by 5.54% over the last quarter.
Geode Capital Management holds 172,040K shares representing 2.42% ownership of the company. In its prior filing, the firm reported owning 169,974K shares , representing an increase of 1.20%. The firm decreased its portfolio allocation in T by 7.76% over the last quarter.
GQG Partners holds 114,839K shares representing 1.62% ownership of the company. In its prior filing, the firm reported owning 113,957K shares , representing an increase of 0.77%. The firm decreased its portfolio allocation in T by 7.89% over the last quarter.
Fintel is one of the most comprehensive investing research platforms available to individual investors, traders, financial advisors, and small hedge funds.
Our data covers the world, and includes fundamentals, analyst reports, ownership data and fund sentiment, options sentiment, insider trading, options flow, unusual options trades, and much more. Additionally, our exclusive stock picks are powered by advanced, backtested quantitative models for improved profits.
This story originally appeared on Fintel.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

RBC Capital Maintains AT&T (T) Outperform Recommendation

AT&T Inc. T and AST SpaceMobile, Inc. ASTS are two major players in the mobile and wireless-connectivity universe with key expertise in their respective domains. Operating as one of the largest wireless service providers in North America, AT&T offers a vast array of communication and business solutions that include wireless, local exchange, long-distance, data/broadband and Internet, video, managed networking, wholesale and cloud-based services.
AST SpaceMobile is building the world’s first and only global cellular broadband network in space, accessible directly by standard smartphones (4G-LTE/5G devices) for commercial and government use, leveraging its extensive Intellectual Property and patent portfolio. The SpaceMobile Service is provided by a constellation of high-powered, large phased-array satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) using low-band and mid-band spectrums controlled by Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) in areas lacking terrestrial network coverage.
Let us delve a little deeper into the companies’ competitive dynamics to understand which of the two is relatively better placed in the broader industry.
The Case for AT&T
With a customer-centric business model, AT&T is witnessing healthy momentum in its postpaid wireless business with a lower churn rate and increased adoption of higher-tier unlimited plans. The company remains focused on improving mobile 5G, fixed wireless and edge computing services to drive growth. AT&T is leveraging Ericsson technology to deploy a commercial-scale open radio access network (Open RAN) across the country to help build a more robust ecosystem of network infrastructure providers and suppliers. It is also collaborating with Nokia to streamline network services, improve automation, speed up deployment times and improve operational efficiency.
AT&T has been making several customer-oriented strategies to gain a competitive edge in the industry. It is working with TransUnion to improve customer experiences with branded calling services. AT&T is also collaborating with Microsoft to move its 5G mobile network to the latter’s cloud. The move will enable AT&T to enhance productivity and deliver large-scale network services to meet customers’ needs. The company has introduced AT&T Guarantee, a first-of-its-kind industry initiative that promises to pay bill credits for any network outage across its wireless and fiber networks for consumers and small businesses.
However, despite its effort to reinforce focus on the customer-centric business model with an aim to maintain its customer base, the nationwide wireless service outage that occurred last year has dented customer trust. Moreover, its effort to woo customers with healthy discounts, freebies and cash credits further escalates margin pressures. Stiff competition from Verizon Communications Inc. VZ and T-Mobile US, Inc. TMUS is a headwind. T-Mobile’s strong cash flow position and continuous deployment of mid-band 2.5 GHz spectrum are further intensifying the competition. Declining trends in the wireline business remain a concern.
The Case for AST SpaceMobile
AST SpaceMobile has deployed its first five commercial satellites (dubbed Bluebird) in LEO, marking a key advancement in developing a space-based mobile network infrastructure. These satellites have the largest-ever commercial communications arrays spanning 693 square feet. They offer non-continuous service across the United States using more than 5,600 cells within the premium low-band spectrum. This achievement follows the success of the company's in-orbit BlueWalker 3 satellite, creating a space-based cellular broadband network that can directly link with mobile devices, eliminating the need for ground-based infrastructure. It plans to deploy 45 to 60 satellites into orbit by the first quarter of 2026. The company boasts a diverse portfolio of more than 3,650 patents and patent-pending claims worldwide for the direct-to-cell satellite ecosystem from space to Earth.
The SpaceMobile service is compatible with all major brands available in the market and connects directly to everyday mobile phones. It delivers broadband connectivity from space to unmodified mobile devices, providing a service to fill cellular coverage gaps in a differentiated approach compared to other space-based communication services. AST SpaceMobile has partnered with leading carriers such as AT&T and Verizon to tap into a pre-existing pool of cell customers and raise funds to help build a worldwide satellite network. This has enhanced cellular coverage in the United States, essentially eliminating dead zones and empowering remote areas of the country with space-based connectivity.
However, unfavorable macroeconomic conditions, including rising inflation, higher interest rates, capital market volatility, tariff imposition and geopolitical conflicts, are negatively impacting the company’s operations. These have led to continued fluctuations in satellite material prices, resulting in increased capital costs and pressure on the company’s financial performance. In addition, AST SpaceMobile faces severe competition from existing and new industry leaders like SpaceX’s Starlink and Globalstar, which are developing satellite communications technology using LEO constellations. To combat such competitive pressure, ASTS has to continuously customize its network offerings, enhance the cost-effectiveness of its products and services and boost its satellite data networks, which increases operating costs and reduces margins.
How Do Zacks Estimates Compare for T & ASTS?
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for AT&T’s 2025 sales implies year-over-year growth of 2.2%, while that for EPS suggests a decline of 8.8%. The EPS estimates have been trending northward (up 0.5%) over the past 60 days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for AST SpaceMobile’s 2025 sales implies year-over-year growth of 1,120%, while that for EPS suggests a decline of 39.4%. The EPS estimates have been trending northward (up 6.1%) over the past 60 days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Price Performance & Valuation of T & ASTS
Over the past year, AT&T has gained 15.1% against the industry’s decline of 0.3%. AST SpaceMobile has gained 184.6% over the same period.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
AT&T looks more attractive than AST SpaceMobile from a valuation standpoint. Going by the price/sales ratio, AST SpaceMobile’s shares currently trade at 115.36 forward sales, significantly higher than 1.45 for AT&T.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
AT&T or AST SpaceMobile: Which is a Better Pick?
While AT&T has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), AST SpaceMobile has a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell).
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Both AT&T and AST SpaceMobile expect sales to improve in 2025, although the latter’s growth expectations far exceed those of the former. AST SpaceMobile boasts a better price performance, although AT&T has comparatively more attractive valuation metrics. With a better Zacks Rank, solid subscriber momentum over the past few months and extensive network modernizations, AT&T appears to be relatively better placed than AST SpaceMobile. Consequently, AT&T is a better investment option at the moment.
Radical New Technology Could Hand Investors Huge Gains
Quantum Computing is the next technological revolution, and it could be even more advanced than AI.
While some believed the technology was years away, it is already present and moving fast. Large hyperscalers, such as Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Oracle, and even Meta and Tesla, are scrambling to integrate quantum computing into their infrastructure.
Senior Stock Strategist Kevin Cook reveals 7 carefully selected stocks poised to dominate the quantum computing landscape in his report, Beyond AI: The Quantum Leap in Computing Power.
Kevin was among the early experts who recognized NVIDIA's enormous potential back in 2016. Now, he has keyed in on what could be "the next big thing" in quantum computing supremacy. Today, you have a rare chance to position your portfolio at the forefront of this opportunity.
See Top Quantum Stocks Now >>
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

AT&T vs. AST SpaceMobile: Which Connectivity Stock Should You Bet On?

The NASDAQ 100 After Hours Indicator is down -12.26 to 24,866.75. The total After hours volume is currently 540,365,355 shares traded.
The following are the most active stocks for the after hours session:
AT&T Inc. (T) is -0.0063 at $25.54, with 4,466,803 shares traded. Smarter Analyst Reports: AT&T Posts Strong Q3 Results on Customer Growth
Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company (HPE) is unchanged at $23.09, with 4,001,233 shares traded. HPE's current last sale is 85.52% of the target price of $27.
Pfizer, Inc. (PFE) is +0.02 at $24.74, with 2,223,064 shares traded. PFE's current last sale is 82.47% of the target price of $30.
Cenovus Energy Inc (CVE) is unchanged at $16.78, with 2,202,474 shares traded. As reported by Zacks, the current mean recommendation for CVE is in the "buy range".
Infosys Limited (INFY) is unchanged at $17.47, with 2,007,922 shares traded. INFY's current last sale is 92.88% of the target price of $18.81.
Bank of America Corporation (BAC) is -0.0895 at $51.01, with 1,965,987 shares traded. As reported by Zacks, the current mean recommendation for BAC is in the "buy range".
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

After Hours Most Active for Oct 22, 2025 : T, HPE, PFE, CVE, INFY, BAC

The T. Rowe Price Value ETF is seeing unusually high volume in afternoon trading Wednesday, with over 454,000 shares traded versus three month average volume of about 45,000. Shares of TVAL were off about 0.6% on the day.
Components of that ETF with the highest volume on Wednesday were AT&T, trading down about 2.7% with over 59.1 million shares changing hands so far this session, and Intel, off about 5.1% on volume of over 55.2 million shares. Hilton Worldwide Holdings is the component faring the best Wednesday, higher by about 4.3% on the day, while Netflix is lagging other components of the T. Rowe Price Value ETF, trading lower by about 9.9%.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Periodand min./max. price, $	Price change, %		Volatility, %		Volume, $
Periodand min./max. price, $	T	Industry	T	Industry	Volume, $
Yesterday 25.3 - 25.8	-0.86	0.42	6.17	0.84	1.77B
Week 24.3 - 25.8	1.08	1.98	3.23	4.71	10.14B
Month 24.3 - 28.4	-10.83	33.85	5.03	11.06	27.87B
3 Months 24.3 - 29.8	-8.99	20.88	11.62	17.82	58.29B
6 Months 24.3 - 29.8	-7.03	28.35	17.74	25.80	103.57B
Year 21.4 - 29.8	14.55	34.53	22.91	30.11	187.80B
3 years 13.4 - 29.8	37.80	76.03	41.03	75.95	440.28B
5 years 13.4 - 29.8	25.28	75.49	53.28	98.05	900.66B
All time 13.4 - 50.2	22.96	18.19	—	—	917.75B

AT&T Inc.

Price and volatility history

Risk ratios