The end of an earnings season can be a great time to discover new stocks and assess how companies are handling the current business environment. Let’s take a look at how Charter (NASDAQ: CHTR) and the rest of the wireless, cable and satellite stocks fared in Q3.

The massive physical footprints of cell phone towers, fiber in the ground, or satellites in space make it challenging for companies in this industry to adjust to shifting consumer habits. Over the last decade-plus, consumers have ‘cut the cord’ to their landlines and traditional cable subscriptions in favor of wireless communications and streaming video. These trends do mean that more households need cell phone plans and high-speed internet. Companies that successfully serve customers can enjoy high retention rates and pricing power since the options for mobile and internet connectivity in any geography are usually limited.

The 8 wireless, cable and satellite stocks we track reported a slower Q3. As a group, revenues were in line with analysts’ consensus estimates.

While some wireless, cable and satellite stocks have fared somewhat better than others, they have collectively declined. On average, share prices are down 1.2% since the latest earnings results.

Charter (NASDAQ: CHTR)

Operating as Spectrum, Charter (NASDAQ: CHTR) is a leading telecommunications company offering cable television, high-speed internet, and voice services across the United States.

Charter reported revenues of $13.67 billion, flat year on year. This print was in line with analysts’ expectations, but overall, it was a slower quarter for the company with a significant miss of analysts’ EPS estimates and a miss of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.

"We are operating well in a competitive environment, where consumer products and applications haven't yet caught up with our uniquely differentiated network capabilities," said Chris Winfrey, President and CEO of Charter.

Unsurprisingly, the stock is down 11% since reporting and currently trades at $208.25.

Read our full report on Charter here, it’s free for active Edge members.

Best Q3: Sirius XM (NASDAQ: SIRI)

Known for its commercial-free music channels, Sirius XM (NASDAQ: SIRI) is a broadcasting company that provides satellite radio and online radio services across North America.

Sirius XM reported revenues of $2.16 billion, flat year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 0.8%. The business had a satisfactory quarter with a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates but a miss of analysts’ pandora subscribers estimates.

However, the results were likely priced into the stock as it’s traded sideways since reporting. Shares currently sit at $21.24.

Is now the time to buy Sirius XM? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free for active Edge members.

Weakest Q3: WideOpenWest (NYSE: WOW)

Initially started in Denver as a cable television provider, WideOpenWest (NYSE: WOW) provides high-speed internet, cable, and telephone services to the Midwest and Southeast regions of the U.S.

WideOpenWest reported revenues of $144 million, down 8.9% year on year, exceeding analysts’ expectations by 1.1%. Still, it was a disappointing quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.

WideOpenWest delivered the slowest revenue growth in the group. Interestingly, the stock is up 1.9% since the results and currently trades at $5.24.

Read our full analysis of WideOpenWest’s results here.

AT&T (NYSE: T)

Founded by Alexander Graham Bell, AT&T (NYSE: T) is a multinational telecomm conglomerate providing a range of communications and internet services.

AT&T reported revenues of $30.71 billion, up 1.6% year on year. This number met analysts’ expectations. Zooming out, it was a mixed quarter as it also recorded a narrow beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates but a miss of analysts’ Mobility revenue estimates.

AT&T pulled off the fastest revenue growth among its peers. The stock is down 6.7% since reporting and currently trades at $24.27.

Read our full, actionable report on AT&T here, it’s free for active Edge members.

Comcast (NASDAQ: CMCSA)

Formerly known as American Cable Systems, Comcast (NASDAQ: CMCSA) is a multinational telecommunications company offering a wide range of services.

Comcast reported revenues of $31.2 billion, down 2.7% year on year. This print surpassed analysts’ expectations by 1.6%. Taking a step back, it was a mixed quarter as it also produced a decent beat of analysts’ revenue estimates but a miss of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.

Comcast achieved the biggest analyst estimates beat among its peers. The stock is up 5.6% since reporting and currently trades at $30.16.

Read our full, actionable report on Comcast here, it’s free for active Edge members.

Market Update

In response to the Fed’s rate hikes in 2022 and 2023, inflation has been gradually trending down from its post-pandemic peak, trending closer to the Fed’s 2% target. Despite higher borrowing costs, the economy has avoided flashing recessionary signals. This is the much-desired soft landing that many investors hoped for. The recent rate cuts (0.5% in September and 0.25% in November 2024) have bolstered the stock market, making 2024 a strong year for equities. Donald Trump’s presidential win in November sparked additional market gains, sending indices to record highs in the days following his victory. However, debates continue over possible tariffs and corporate tax adjustments, raising questions about economic stability in 2025.

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