AT&T (T) News Today

AT&T Inc. (T) — Shares ticked higher as investors digest a mix of operational progress (nationwide 5G rollout, fiber/5G growth and upbeat pre-earnings expectations) alongside legal and settlement overhangs and a modest analyst price-target cut. Below are the key items likely driving intraday moves and what they mean for near-term investor risk/reward.

• Positive Sentiment: Nationwide 5G Standalone rollout improves AT&T’s network competitiveness and long-term service capability, supporting wireless ARPU and 5G monetization potential. AT&T deploys 5G Standalone network nationwide
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst previews and commentary expect AT&T to beat Q3 estimates, highlighting 5G and fiber growth and ongoing debt reduction — bullish for near-term EPS upside if results match expectations. AT&T (T) Expected to Beat Earnings Estimates
• Positive Sentiment: A federal agreement may lead to dismissal of bribery charges tied to a former AT&T Illinois executive, potentially removing a legal overhang and lowering reputational/legal risk. Ex-AT&T Illinois head could see bribery charges dismissed
• Neutral Sentiment: Wells Fargo cut its price target from $31 to $29 but kept an overweight rating — a modestly less bullish valuation signal but still supportive relative to peers. AT&T (NYSE:T) Given New $29.00 Price Target at Wells Fargo & Company
• Neutral Sentiment: Q3 earnings release scheduled for Oct. 22 — an event risk/opportunity that will likely amplify moves depending on guidance for fiber, wireless net adds and capital deployment. AT&T (T) to Release Earnings on Wednesday
• Neutral Sentiment: MarketBeat and other screeners list AT&T among telecoms to watch — keeps the name on radars but is informational rather than a direct catalyst. Top Telecom Stocks Worth Watching - October 16th
• Negative Sentiment: AT&T faces consumer payout obligations from a $177M data-breach settlement (claims up to $7,500), a direct cash impact and reputational cost that can weigh on near-term sentiment. You could get up to $7,500 from AT&T's $177 million data breach settlement
• Negative Sentiment: Industry commentary warns the market is growing uneasy ahead of AT&T’s Q3 report — competition, capital intensity for 5G/fiber and cash returns vs. debt paydown remain investor concerns. AT&T: Q3 Earnings Preview, The Reason Why The Market Is Growing Uneasy