Looking back on wireless, cable and satellite stocks’ Q3 earnings, we examine this quarter’s best and worst performers, including Cable One (NYSE: CABO) and its peers.

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.

Amidst this news, share prices of the companies have had a rough stretch. On average, they are down 6.6% since the latest earnings results.

Cable One (NYSE: CABO)

Founded in 1986, Cable One (NYSE: CABO) provides high-speed internet, cable television, and telephone services, primarily in smaller markets across the United States.

Cable One reported revenues of $376 million, down 4.5% year on year. This print fell short of analysts’ expectations by 0.8%. Overall, it was a mixed quarter for the company with a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates but a miss of analysts’ residential video subscribers estimates.

Unsurprisingly, the stock is down 21.7% since reporting and currently trades at $104.46.

Is now the time to buy Cable One? Access our full analysis of the earnings results 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.

Although it had a fine quarter compared its peers, the market seems unhappy with the results as the stock is down 1.3% since reporting. It currently trades at $20.79.

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 1.1% since the results and currently trades at $5.20.

Read our full analysis of WideOpenWest’s results here.

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 number was in line with analysts’ expectations. More broadly, it was a slower quarter as it logged a significant miss of analysts’ EPS estimates and a miss of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.

The stock is down 14.2% since reporting and currently trades at $200.68.

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

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 print met analysts’ expectations. Taking a step back, it was a mixed quarter as it also produced a narrow beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates but a miss of analysts’ Mobility revenue estimates.

AT&T scored the fastest revenue growth among its peers. The stock is down 1.2% since reporting and currently trades at $25.70.

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

Market Update

Thanks to the Fed’s rate hikes in 2022 and 2023, inflation has been on a steady path downward, easing back toward that 2% sweet spot. Fortunately (miraculously to some), all this tightening didn’t send the economy tumbling into a recession, so here we are, cautiously celebrating a soft landing. The cherry on top? Recent rate cuts (half a point in September 2024, a quarter in November) have propped up markets, especially after Trump’s November win lit a fire under major indices and sent them to all-time highs. However, there’s still plenty to ponder — tariffs, corporate tax cuts, and what 2025 might hold for the economy.

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