AT&T vs Verizon

Explore a detailed comparison of AT&T and Verizon. This page examines their respective business models, evaluates recent financial performance, and contextualises their positions within the evolving telecommunications market. Understand key differences and similarities to inform your perspective on these industry giants. Educational content, not financial advice.

Explore a detailed comparison of AT&T and Verizon. This page examines their respective business models, evaluates recent financial performance, and contextualises their positions within the evolving t...

Comparison Snapshot

Key Financial Metrics

T

Metric

VZ

$166.25B

Market Cap

$167.05B

26.43%

Potential Profit

20.98%

Buy

Analyst Rating

Hold

Why It's Moving

AT&T Trades Sideways as Telecom Sector Braces for 5G Rollout Momentum.

Stock closed flat at $23.59 on Jan 23 after minor intraday swings between $23.30-$23.65, signaling steady demand for reliable dividend play.
Telecom peers stable as analysts spotlight AT&T's fiber expansion, positioning it for data surge from AI and streaming growth.
After-hours dip to $23.55 underscores low volatility, with focus shifting to upcoming Q4 earnings for broadband subscriber gains.

Sentiment:

⚖️Neutral

Verizon Seals $20B Frontier Deal, Supercharging Fiber Ambitions Amid Telecom Rally

Acquisition completion hands Verizon instant scale in fiber, targeting 40 million passings by 2028 and billions in Frontier synergies to boost margins.
New leadership and price-lock promotions reversed subscriber losses, with 44,000 net phone adds signaling renewed customer loyalty.
Strategic 5G partnerships and fixed wireless growth project 8-9 million FWA subscribers by 2028, tapping high-margin demand without heavy installs.

Sentiment:

🐃Bullish

AT&T Trades Sideways as Telecom Sector Braces for 5G Rollout Momentum.

Stock closed flat at $23.59 on Jan 23 after minor intraday swings between $23.30-$23.65, signaling steady demand for reliable dividend play.
Telecom peers stable as analysts spotlight AT&T's fiber expansion, positioning it for data surge from AI and streaming growth.
After-hours dip to $23.55 underscores low volatility, with focus shifting to upcoming Q4 earnings for broadband subscriber gains.

Sentiment:

⚖️Neutral

Verizon Seals $20B Frontier Deal, Supercharging Fiber Ambitions Amid Telecom Rally

Acquisition completion hands Verizon instant scale in fiber, targeting 40 million passings by 2028 and billions in Frontier synergies to boost margins.
New leadership and price-lock promotions reversed subscriber losses, with 44,000 net phone adds signaling renewed customer loyalty.
Strategic 5G partnerships and fixed wireless growth project 8-9 million FWA subscribers by 2028, tapping high-margin demand without heavy installs.

Sentiment:

🐃Bullish

Investment Analysis

AT&T

T

Pros

AT&T exhibits strong postpaid wireless momentum with lower churn and higher-tier plan adoption.
Extensive network modernisation efforts position AT&T for long-term growth in 5G and broadband.
Recent stock performance has significantly outperformed Verizon and the industry over the past year.

Considerations

Projected 2025 EPS decline of 9.29% contrasts with Verizon's expected growth.
Higher forward P/E ratio of 13.41 indicates relatively elevated valuation versus Verizon.
Past acquisitions like DirecTV have burdened AT&T with substantial debt and inconsistent profitability.

Verizon

VZ

Pros

Lower forward P/E ratio of 9.28 offers more attractive valuation compared to AT&T.
Significant 5G adoption and fixed wireless broadband momentum drive network expansion.
Greater focus on core wireless business yields higher market share and profit margins.

Considerations

Stock underperformed AT&T over the past five and ten years amid fading cable operations.
Higher total debt level of $170 billion poses ongoing balance sheet challenges.
Elevated volatility of 5.57% exceeds AT&T's, indicating greater price fluctuation risk.

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