Summary
AT&T Inc. reported first-quarter 2017 results showing a slight decline in total operating revenues, down 2.9% to $39.4 billion, primarily driven by a 15.3% decrease in equipment revenues and a 1.7% dip in service revenues. This revenue softness was partially offset by growth in strategic business services and video entertainment revenues. Despite the revenue challenges, the company demonstrated effective cost management, leading to a 2.7% decrease in operating expenses. This resulted in a 3.7% decline in operating income to $6.86 billion and a 10.5% decrease in income before income taxes to $5.38 billion. Operationally, AT&T saw continued growth in its wireless subscriber base, with North American wireless subscribers increasing by approximately 7 million year-over-year to 146.8 million. The company also reported strong growth in connected devices. However, the consumer mobility segment experienced a decline in total subscribers and service revenues, partly due to subscriber migration to the business solutions segment and the shift towards unlimited and Mobile Share plans. The company is actively managing its capital structure, evidenced by significant long-term debt issuances and repayments, and maintains a strong liquidity position with $14.9 billion in cash and cash equivalents. The pending acquisition of Time Warner Inc. remains a key strategic initiative, expected to close by year-end 2017, pending regulatory approval.
Financial Highlights
47 data points| Revenue | $38.04B |
| SG&A Expenses | $8.77B |
| Operating Expenses | $33.01B |
| Operating Income | $6.20B |
| Interest Expense | $1.29B |
| Net Income | $4.66B |
| EPS (Basic) | $0.75 |
| EPS (Diluted) | $0.75 |
| Shares Outstanding (Basic) | 6.17B |
| Shares Outstanding (Diluted) | 6.19B |
Key Highlights
- 1Total operating revenues decreased by 2.9% to $39.37 billion, primarily due to a significant drop in equipment sales (-15.3%) and a smaller decline in service revenues (-1.7%).
- 2Operating income decreased by 3.7% to $6.86 billion, reflecting the revenue decline and increased broadcast, programming, and operations expenses.
- 3Net income attributable to AT&T declined by 8.8% to $3.47 billion, leading to a decrease in diluted EPS to $0.56 from $0.61 in the prior year.
- 4The company's wireless subscriber base continued to grow, with total North American wireless subscribers reaching 146.8 million, an increase driven by both postpaid and prepaid additions.
- 5The International segment showed robust revenue growth of 15.7%, primarily from Latin American video entertainment services and increased wireless services in Mexico.
- 6AT&T significantly increased its long-term debt issuance ($12.44 billion) while also repaying a substantial amount of debt ($3.05 billion), managing its capital structure proactively.
- 7The company continues to prepare for the pending acquisition of Time Warner Inc., which is expected to close by year-end 2017, subject to regulatory approvals.