Leading U.S cable TV operator, Charter Communications Inc. (NYSE:T) , primarily offers three services – video, high-speed data and voice over its broadband cable systems to both residential and business customers.
We are concerned about Charter Communications’ operations in a saturated and competitive multi-channel U.S. video market. Like other cable operators, the company continues to lose subscribers to online video streaming service providers because of their cheap source of TV programming. Notably, in the third quarter of 2017, the company lost 1, 04,000 video customers in the residential segment.
On the other hand, the twin buyouts of Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks have strengthened the company’s foothold in hybrid fiber coax (HFC) and fiber networks. The company is also adopting various initiatives to improve its Spectrum products and cloud-based user interfaces. Also, accelerated residential and commercial customer growth, investments in business services division and rollout of several initiatives should aid the upcoming results.
Charter Communications currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). The company competes with AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) , DISH Network Corp. (NASDAQ:DISH) and Comcast Corp. (NASDAQ:CMCSA) in the intensely competitive pay-TV industry. Each of these three stocks carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
The company has generated negative average earnings surprise of a massive 53.32% in the previous four quarters. We have highlighted some of the key stats from this just-revealed announcement below:
Earnings: Charter Communications tops earnings estimate in fourth-quarter 2017. Our consensus EPS (earnings per share) estimate was 85 cents while the company reported EPS was 86 cents. Investors should note that these figures take out stock option expenses.
Revenue: Charter Communications generated total revenues of $10,602 million, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of approximately $10,583 million.
Key Stats to Note: During the fourth quarter of 2017, residential high-speed Internet subscribers rose by 263,000 to 22.545 million. Voice subscribers grew 22,000 to 10.427 million and video subscribers increased by 2,000 to 16.544 million.
Charter Communications, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise
Check back later for our full write up on this Charter Communications earnings report later!
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AT&T Inc. (T): Free Stock Analysis Report
DISH Network Corporation (DISH): Free Stock Analysis Report
Comcast Corporation (CMCSA): Free Stock Analysis Report
Charter Communications, Inc. (CHTR): Free Stock Analysis Report
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