Zacks Research Has Negative Outlook of OPTU Q1 Earnings

Key Points

• Zacks Research cut OPTU's Q1 2026 EPS estimate to ($0.16) from ($0.08) and rates the stock "Hold," forecasting FY2026 EPS of ($0.52) while the consensus full-year estimate is ($0.24).
• Multiple brokers have recently downgraded the shares (including Citigroup and Benchmark) and Weiss Ratings reissued a "sell (d-)", leaving a MarketBeat consensus rating of "Reduce" with an average target price of $2.19.
• Optimum missed its most recent quarter with EPS of ($0.15) vs. consensus ($0.01) and revenue down 2.3% year-over-year; the stock trades around $1.48, near its 52-week low, amid ~55% institutional ownership and a recent insider sale.

Optimum Communications, Inc. (NYSE:OPTU - Free Report) - Research analysts at Zacks Research reduced their Q1 2026 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for Optimum Communications in a report issued on Thursday, March 5th. Zacks Research analyst Team now anticipates that the company will post earnings of ($0.16) per share for the quarter, down from their prior forecast of ($0.08). Zacks Research has a "Hold" rating on the stock. The consensus estimate for Optimum Communications' current full-year earnings is ($0.24) per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Optimum Communications' Q3 2026 earnings at ($0.16) EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at ($0.10) EPS, FY2026 earnings at ($0.52) EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at ($0.01) EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at ($0.15) EPS, Q4 2027 earnings at ($0.12) EPS and FY2027 earnings at ($0.39) EPS.

A number of other analysts have also recently issued reports on OPTU. Evercore set a $2.00 target price on shares of Optimum Communications in a research note on Friday, February 13th. Citigroup downgraded shares of Optimum Communications from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating in a report on Sunday, February 15th. Benchmark lowered shares of Optimum Communications from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 10th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a "sell (d-)" rating on shares of Optimum Communications in a research report on Wednesday, January 21st. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Optimum Communications presently has a consensus rating of "Reduce" and an average target price of $2.19.

Optimum Communications Stock Performance

NYSE:OPTU opened at $1.48 on Monday. The company has a market capitalization of $693.93 million, a P/E ratio of -0.37 and a beta of 1.51. The stock's 50 day moving average price is $1.67 and its 200 day moving average price is $1.98. Optimum Communications has a 52 week low of $1.38 and a 52 week high of $2.98.

Optimum Communications (NYSE:OPTU - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 12th. The company reported ($0.15) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of ($0.01) by ($0.14). The firm had revenue of $2.18 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.15 billion. Optimum Communications's quarterly revenue was down 2.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned ($0.12) earnings per share.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Optimum Communications

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of OPTU. Vanguard Group Inc. acquired a new stake in Optimum Communications in the 4th quarter worth $46,002,000. Empyrean Capital Partners LP acquired a new position in shares of Optimum Communications during the fourth quarter valued at about $41,297,000. Deutsche Bank AG bought a new stake in shares of Optimum Communications in the fourth quarter valued at about $27,135,000. Millennium Management LLC acquired a new stake in Optimum Communications during the fourth quarter worth about $24,478,000. Finally, Redwood Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in Optimum Communications during the fourth quarter worth about $13,512,000. 54.85% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Insider Transactions at Optimum Communications

In related news, General Counsel Michael Olsen sold 250,000 shares of Optimum Communications stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $1.60, for a total value of $400,000.00. Following the transaction, the general counsel owned 1,496,277 shares in the company, valued at $2,394,043.20. This trade represents a 14.32% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Insiders own 44.60% of the company's stock.

Optimum Communications Company Profile

Altice USA, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides broadband communications and video services in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. It offers broadband, video, telephony, and mobile services to approximately five million residential and business customers. The company's video services include delivery of broadcast stations and cable networks; over the top services; video-on-demand, high-definition channels, digital video recorder, and pay-per-view services; and platforms for video programming through mobile applications.

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to contact@marketbeat.com.