AT&T (NYSE:T) Trading 0.8% Higher - Here's Why

AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T - Get Free Report)'s stock price traded up 0.8% during mid-day trading on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $25.58 and last traded at $25.58. 8,494,012 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 77% from the average session volume of 37,019,914 shares. The stock had previously closed at $25.36.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts recently issued reports on the company. Citigroup increased their price objective on AT&T from $26.00 to $28.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 4th. Sanford C. Bernstein increased their price objective on AT&T from $28.00 to $29.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 28th. Oppenheimer assumed coverage on AT&T in a research note on Tuesday, December 10th. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $28.00 price objective on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price objective on AT&T from $25.00 to $24.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, October 24th. Finally, UBS Group increased their target price on AT&T from $25.00 to $30.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, December 19th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating, eighteen have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, AT&T currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $26.33.

AT&T Price Performance

The company has a market cap of $185.74 billion, a PE ratio of 17.37, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.79 and a beta of 0.59. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.00, a quick ratio of 0.62 and a current ratio of 0.66. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $23.23 and a 200-day moving average of $22.06.

AT&T (NYSE:T - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Monday, January 27th. The technology company reported $0.54 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.48 by $0.06. AT&T had a return on equity of 13.97% and a net margin of 8.95%. Equities analysts predict that AT&T Inc. will post 2.15 earnings per share for the current year.

AT&T Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, February 3rd. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 10th were given a dividend of $0.2775 per share. This represents a $1.11 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.29%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, January 10th. AT&T's dividend payout ratio is currently 74.50%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On AT&T

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC acquired a new stake in shares of AT&T during the 3rd quarter valued at about $25,000. Marshall Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of AT&T during the 4th quarter valued at about $28,000. Ritter Daniher Financial Advisory LLC DE grew its position in shares of AT&T by 169.2% during the 3rd quarter. Ritter Daniher Financial Advisory LLC DE now owns 1,338 shares of the technology company's stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 841 shares during the period. YANKCOM Partnership acquired a new stake in shares of AT&T during the 4th quarter valued at about $30,000. Finally, Tradewinds Capital Management LLC grew its position in shares of AT&T by 48.6% during the 4th quarter. Tradewinds Capital Management LLC now owns 1,314 shares of the technology company's stock valued at $30,000 after acquiring an additional 430 shares during the period. 57.10% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

AT&T Company Profile

AT&T, Inc is a holding company, which engages in the provision of telecommunications and technology services. It operates through the Communications and Latin America segments. The Communications segment offers wireless, wireline telecom, and broadband services to businesses and consumers located in the US and businesses globally.