New York, January 30, 2026, 07:19 EST — Premarket
• Charter’s stock jumped roughly 4.8% in premarket trading following its Q4 earnings release
• The company saw a slowdown in internet customer losses, steady mobile line growth, and a rebound in video subscribers
• Investors now focus on the 2026 capital spending goal and upcoming cash flow performance
Charter Communications (CHTR) shares climbed 4.8% to $191.52 in premarket action Friday, building on a recent recovery that investors will watch closely when U.S. markets open.
The cable industry continues battling to hold onto broadband subscribers amid aggressive price cuts and promotions from fiber providers and fixed wireless—home internet delivered via mobile towers. Comcast reported another quarterly drop in broadband customers this week, underscoring the ongoing pressure on the sector’s main revenue stream.
Charter’s print comes against this backdrop. Investors are focused on whether customer losses have leveled off enough to sustain margins, heavy network spending, and buybacks—without triggering another wave of price cuts.
Charter reported a 2.3% drop in fourth-quarter revenue, down to $13.6 billion, while adjusted EBITDA edged down 1.2% to $5.7 billion. Internet subscribers fell by 119,000, but mobile lines grew by 428,000, and video customers rose 44,000, thanks to new pricing and bundles that feature several streaming apps. Free cash flow, which is cash from operations minus capital spending, dropped to $773 million. Looking ahead, the company expects to spend about $11.4 billion on capital expenditures in 2026 and repurchased roughly $5.4 billion of stock in 2025. CEO Chris Winfrey emphasized the 2026 priorities: “product utility, value and high-quality service.” PR Newswire
Wireless carriers are stepping up their efforts in the home internet space. Verizon reported 372,000 broadband net additions in Q4, with 319,000 coming from fixed wireless access. It also updated its long-term mobile virtual network operator deal with Charter and Comcast — the wholesale arrangement allowing cable companies to offer service over Verizon’s network.
AT&T has ramped up fiber growth and bundling strategies, netting 283,000 new fiber customers in Q4. The company is also offering discounts to households that subscribe to both its fiber and 5G services.
Several analysts point to improved wholesale economics as Charter increasingly relies on mobile to counter broadband challenges. Roger Entner, founder and analyst at Recon Analytics, noted, “They got a better rate from Verizon,” referencing the updated MVNO deals for cable partners. Light Reading
Deal chatter continues to swirl around the stock. Last year, Charter inked a deal with Cox Enterprises to acquire Cox Communications—a move that could redraw the U.S. cable landscape if the deal passes regulatory and other obstacles.
The downside risk remains familiar: broadband losses might deepen if promotional activity ramps up. Gains from mobile or video bundling could vanish under the weight of rising costs, heavier capex, or expenses tied to deals. With churn already high, cable has little wiggle room to slip up.
Charter’s next big moment comes quickly. Its earnings webcast kicks off at 8:30 a.m. ET, before the market opens. Investors will be tuned in for insights on 2026—expect updates on pricing strategies, broadband growth, mobile margins, and how the company plans to manage capital expenditures.
