AT&T Senior Executive VP and CFO John Stephens updates shareholders

John Stephens, senior executive vice president and chief financial officer of AT&T Inc., spoke today at the Morgan Stanley European Tech, Media and Telecommunications Conference where he provided an update to shareholders. He touched on the following areas:

Customer-centric focus continues to resonate across strategic areas of broadband connectivity (both 5G and fiber) and software-based entertainment. Stephens said he is pleased to see momentum from the third quarter continue in postpaid wireless. He further noted that the ability to further reduce churn, drive incremental adoption of higher-tier unlimited plans that include HBO Max, showcase the company’s industry leading network and give customers what they want should yield positive long-term value creation across AT&T’s customer base. In addition, the combination of HBO Max’s availability on Amazon’s Fire TV and the launch of Wonder Woman 84 on HBO Max and in theaters simultaneously December 25 should expand HBO Max’s attractiveness to both existing and new customers.

Strong cash generation and disciplined capital allocation gives AT&T financial strength and flexibility to invest in growth in its market-based priorities of fiber, 5G and HBO Max while simultaneously meeting its existing financial commitments. The company has refinanced more than $60 billion of debt at historically low rates and now has about $30 billion of debt coming due through 2025. AT&T expects 2020 full-year free cash flow of $26 billion or higher with a full year dividend payout ratio percentage in the high 50s%. The company also continues to expect gross capital investment in the $20 billion range for 2020.

Network quality driven by significant investments in 5G and fiber helped support strong wireless financial and operational results and healthy broadband trends in the third quarter. In addition, the company believes that its recent and anticipated network investments will bolster AT&T’s network foundation to compete as the need for high-quality connectivity only continues to increase. Looking forward, Stephens indicated that AT&T’s integrated fiber strategy is expected to improve the company’s connectivity offering for both consumer and enterprise markets and enhance its 5G network quality in a cost-efficient manner.

Business transformation efforts are on track with the company’s expectations and have already delivered savings from efficiencies, organizational alignments and the optimization of cash returns from select business operating units. AT&T remains focused on adding value for its customers through improved experiences and continued innovation, while simultaneously relying on technology and process improvements to enhance returns across its operations.
CT Bureau