Baird Financial Group Inc. Decreases Stock Holdings in AT&T Inc. $T

Key Points

• Baird Financial Group reduced its AT&T stake by 11.4% in the second quarter, selling 119,947 shares and retaining 931,242 shares valued at approximately $19.3 million. Institutional investors collectively own 57.1% of AT&T.
• AT&T reported quarterly EPS of $0.65, beating estimates by $0.06, while revenue rose 2.3% year over year to $31.56 billion. The company maintains a quarterly dividend of $0.2775, equivalent to a 4.3% annualized yield.
• Analysts have a “Moderate Buy” consensus rating with an average price target of $29.19, compared with the reported share price of $26.05. Ratings are mixed, ranging from Strong Buy to Sell, reflecting differing views on AT&T’s growth prospects and competitive risks.

Baird Financial Group Inc. cut its stake in AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T - Free Report) by 11.4% in the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 931,242 shares of the technology company's stock after selling 119,947 shares during the period. Baird Financial Group Inc.'s holdings in AT&T were worth $19,277,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Safe Harbor Fiduciary LLC acquired a new stake in shares of AT&T in the 4th quarter worth $25,000. Blueline Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in AT&T during the fourth quarter worth about $26,000. Winnow Wealth LLC raised its stake in AT&T by 362.8% during the fourth quarter. Winnow Wealth LLC now owns 1,046 shares of the technology company's stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 820 shares during the period. Orion Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in AT&T during the second quarter worth about $26,000. Finally, Addison Advisors LLC acquired a new position in AT&T in the 2nd quarter valued at about $27,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 57.10% of the company's stock.

AT&T Trading Up 1.9%

Shares of T stock opened at $26.05 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.06, a current ratio of 0.97 and a quick ratio of 0.93. The firm has a market cap of $178.48 billion, a PE ratio of 8.62, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.27 and a beta of 0.25. The company has a 50-day moving average of $23.97 and a two-hundred day moving average of $25.07. AT&T Inc. has a 1-year low of $19.89 and a 1-year high of $29.79.

AT&T (NYSE:T - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 22nd. The technology company reported $0.65 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $0.59 by $0.06. AT&T had a net margin of 16.94% and a return on equity of 12.86%. The business had revenue of $31.56 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $31.80 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $0.54 EPS. The business's revenue was up 2.3% on a year-over-year basis. AT&T has set its FY 2026 guidance at 2.250-2.350 EPS. On average, analysts predict that AT&T Inc. will post 2.34 EPS for the current year.

AT&T Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, August 3rd. Stockholders of record on Friday, July 10th were paid a $0.2775 dividend. This represents a $1.11 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.3%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, July 10th. AT&T's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 36.75%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

T has been the subject of several analyst reports. TD Cowen increased their price target on shares of AT&T from $32.00 to $33.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a research note on Thursday, July 23rd. Wall Street Zen raised shares of AT&T from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Saturday, June 20th. Oppenheimer cut AT&T from an "outperform" rating to a "market perform" rating in a report on Wednesday, June 3rd. Barclays lowered their price objective on AT&T from $26.00 to $24.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, July 8th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group set a $30.00 target price on AT&T in a research note on Wednesday, July 22nd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have given a Buy rating, six have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, AT&T currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $29.19.

AT&T News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting AT&T this week:

• Positive Sentiment: AT&T is offering up to $1,200 off the new iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and iPhone Duo for customers who trade in eligible devices. The promotion could support upgrades, wireless subscriber additions and customer retention, reinforcing AT&T’s position during Apple’s product launch cycle. However, the cost of handset subsidies could limit near-term margin benefits. AT&T iPhone 18 promotion
• Positive Sentiment: CEO John Stankey described SpaceX’s Starlink as complementary rather than purely threatening to AT&T. A partnership-oriented approach could help AT&T extend coverage to rural and remote areas while preserving its core wireless, fiber and enterprise-network businesses. AT&T CEO discusses Starlink
• Positive Sentiment: Recent investor commentary argues that the market may be overstating the competitive threat from Starlink. Fiber expansion, wireless-fiber convergence and stronger customer stickiness are viewed as potential long-term drivers, while AT&T’s low earnings multiple may not fully reflect those opportunities. Analysis of AT&T and Starlink competition
• Neutral Sentiment: AT&T’s presentations at industry conferences and its CEO’s comments on the new Apple iPhone Duo are keeping management’s views on wireless, fiber, cloud and network demand in focus, but the available reports do not identify a major new financial outlook change. AT&T Bank of America conference presentation
• Neutral Sentiment: The election of Fazal F. Merchant to AT&T’s board adds finance and corporate-development experience, but is unlikely to materially change the near-term investment thesis. AT&T board appointment
• Negative Sentiment: Comparison coverage of AT&T and Nokia highlights that both companies must convert AI-related telecom spending, 5G, cloud and fiber investment into sustainable growth. The discussion underscores execution and competitive risks if AT&T’s growth continues to appear modest relative to technology-sector opportunities. AT&T versus Nokia comparison

AT&T Profile

AT&T Inc NYSE: T is a telecommunications company that provides wireless communications, broadband internet, voice, and related connectivity services. Its offerings include mobile phone and data plans, fiber-optic internet, fixed wireless access, traditional voice services, and networking solutions for businesses and government customers.

The company serves consumers, businesses, and public-sector organizations primarily across the United States. AT&T also provides wireless services in Mexico and operates extensive communications networks that support mobile connectivity, internet access, data transmission, and enterprise communications.

AT&T traces its history to the development of the Bell System and has evolved through a series of reorganizations and acquisitions.

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