AT&T Target of Unusually High Options Trading (NYSE:T)

AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) was the recipient of unusually large options trading activity on Friday. Stock traders bought 88,823 call options on the company. This is an increase of approximately 42% compared to the typical volume of 62,428 call options.

AT&T Stock Up 4.8%

Shares of NYSE T opened at $24.05 on Friday. AT&T has a 52-week low of $19.89 and a 52-week high of $29.79. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.06, a quick ratio of 0.87 and a current ratio of 0.97. The stock has a market cap of $164.83 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.97, a P/E/G ratio of 0.94 and a beta of 0.24. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $22.79 and a 200 day moving average price of $25.23.

AT&T (NYSE:T) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, July 22nd. The technology company reported $0.65 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.59 by $0.06. The company had revenue of $31.56 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $31.80 billion. AT&T had a net margin of 16.94% and a return on equity of 12.86%. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 2.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.54 earnings per share. AT&T has set its FY 2026 guidance at 2.250-2.350 EPS. Analysts expect that AT&T will post 2.34 EPS for the current year.

AT&T Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, August 3rd. Investors of record on Friday, July 10th will be given a $0.2775 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, July 10th. This represents a $1.11 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.6%. AT&T’s dividend payout ratio is currently 36.75%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts have commented on the stock. TD Cowen upped their target price on shares of AT&T from $32.00 to $33.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research report on Thursday. Wall Street Zen upgraded AT&T from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday, June 20th. Barclays decreased their price objective on AT&T from $26.00 to $24.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, July 8th. Argus dropped their price objective on AT&T from $33.00 to $30.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Thursday. Finally, BNP Paribas Exane cut their target price on AT&T from $28.00 to $26.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, April 23rd. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have issued a Buy rating, seven have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, AT&T currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $29.19.

AT&T News Roundup

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

• Positive Sentiment: AT&T reported better-than-expected Q2 adjusted earnings of $0.65 per share, helped by strong wireless subscriber growth, reinforcing confidence in its core business. Stock Market Today, July 22: AT&T Beats Earnings on Strong Wireless Subscriber Growth
• Positive Sentiment: Wolfe Research upgraded AT&T after the earnings release, saying the stock looks attractive following the quarter and that fears around SpaceX competition may be overstated. Wolfe Research Just Upgraded AT&T Stock. Here’s Why.
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts highlighted AT&T’s fiber-led growth path, with fiber, wireless convergence, and copper shutdowns supporting margin gains, buybacks, and an intact 2026 outlook. T Q2 Earnings Call Points to Fiber-Led Growth Path
• Neutral Sentiment: AT&T saw unusually heavy call-option buying, which suggests traders are positioning for further upside after the earnings-driven rally. Wolfe Research Just Upgraded AT&T Stock. Here’s Why.
• Negative Sentiment: One headline about an AT&T internet outage could weigh on sentiment by reminding investors of service reliability risks, though it appears to be a limited operational issue. ATT internet outage for some. AT and T outage Thursday

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Rachor Investment Advisory Services LLC bought a new position in shares of AT&T during the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. Safe Harbor Fiduciary LLC bought a new stake in AT&T during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Cresta Advisors Ltd. bought a new stake in AT&T during the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. Blueline Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in AT&T during the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. Finally, Winnow Wealth LLC raised its holdings in AT&T by 362.8% during the 4th quarter. Winnow Wealth LLC now owns 1,046 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 820 shares during the period. 57.10% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

AT&T Company Profile

AT&T Inc is a global telecommunications company that provides a broad range of communications and digital entertainment services. Its core activities include consumer and business wireless services, broadband and fiber internet, and network infrastructure. The company operates branded wireless services through AT&T Mobility and deploys fixed-line and fiber networks to deliver high-speed internet and related home services.

AT&T’s product and service portfolio spans mobile voice and data plans, smartphones and device sales, home internet (including fiber-to-the-home where available), and managed connectivity solutions for enterprise customers.