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AT&T Senior Executive Vice President and CFO John Stephens Updates Shareholders
John Stephens, senior executive vice president and chief financial officer of AT&T Inc.* (NYSE:T), spoke recently at the Bank of America Securities 2020 Media, Communications & Entertainment Conference where he provided an update to shareholders.
Confident in ability to generate strong cash flows. Stephens said that the company continues to have limited visibility into the extent and duration of the impact of COVID and resulting government actions on the economy. In addition, while WarnerMedia continues to be impacted in areas such as the timing of theatrical releases as well its production schedule, the resumption of sports is expected to shift the timing of advertising revenues and costs into the third quarter from the second quarter. Despite these fluid dynamics, Stephens reiterated that AT&T remains confident in its ability to generate strong cash flows given the resiliency of wireless and broadband services and continued demand for business connectivity.
Network quality underscores wireless value proposition. Stephens said the wireless market remains very competitive but that AT&T continues to see benefits from its investment in significantly improving network capacity over the past few years. AT&T has nationwide 5G service and was recently named “Best Wireless Network” for the third consecutive year based on overall national wireless performance.(1) This high level of service quality and network resiliency during the challenging economic backdrop is helping the company differentiate its wireless offerings. Additionally, AT&T continues to benefit in both customer acquisition and retention from its ability to bundle HBO Max with its high-quality wireless services.
HBO Max traction continues. AT&T is pleased with the initial success of HBO Max, including its activation growth and solid levels of viewer engagement. The company continues to see weekly viewing hours for HBO Max that are significantly higher than for HBO Now. AT&T plans to launch an advertising-based version of HBO Max and continues to look for opportunities to leverage the platform to identify both new content distribution opportunities as well as new audiences for the company’s expansive library to further drive customer acquisition and engagement.
Capital allocation. Stephens reiterated that AT&T continues to invest to support growth in its areas of market focus — broadband connectivity (fiber, 5G) and software-based entertainment (HBO Max, AT&T TV). Also, the company is investing in its transformation and efficiency efforts. Stephens said AT&T continues to expect a dividend payout ratio at year-end 2020 in the 60s% range and that the company is targeting the low end of that range.(2) The company plans to use excess cash after dividends to further reduce net debt. Since the close of the Time Warner transaction, AT&T has reduced net debt by about $30 billion and, since the first quarter of 2020, the company has taken advantage of historically low interest rates to push out near-term debt obligations by about $30 billion.(3) The company continues to explore monetizing non-core assets in its portfolio to drive incremental shareholder value.
1. GWS OneScore, September 2020.
2. Free cash flow dividend payout ratio is total dividends paid divided by free cash flow.
3. Debt maturing in 2020 through 2025 excluding commercial paper.
About AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a diversified, global leader in telecommunications, media and entertainment, and technology. WarnerMedia is a leading media and entertainment company that creates and distributes premium and popular content to global audiences through its consumer brands, including: HBO, HBO Max, Warner Bros., TNT, TBS, truTV, CNN, DC Entertainment, New Line, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim and Turner Classic Movies. Xandr, now part of WarnerMedia, provides marketers with innovative and relevant advertising solutions for consumers around premium video content and digital advertising through its platform. AT&T Communications provides more than 100 million U.S. consumers with entertainment and communications experiences across TV, mobile and broadband. Plus, it serves high-speed, highly secure connectivity and smart solutions to nearly 3 million business customers. AT&T Latin America provides pay-TV services across 10 countries and territories in Latin America and the Caribbean and wireless services to consumers and businesses in Mexico.
AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc. Additional information is available at about.att.com. © 2020 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. AT&T, the Globe logo and other marks are trademarks and service marks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies. All other marks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.
Cautionary Language Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
Information set forth in this news release contains financial estimates and other forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results might differ materially. A discussion of factors that may affect future results is contained in AT&T’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. AT&T disclaims any obligation to update and revise statements contained in this news release based on new information or otherwise.
This news release may contain certain non-GAAP financial measures. Reconciliations between the non-GAAP financial measures and the GAAP financial measures are available on the company’s website at https://investors.att.com.
