New York, February 11, 2026, 13:38 (EST) — Regular session
- AT&T shares climbed roughly 3.5%, changing hands at $28.37 early this afternoon.
- T-Mobile and Verizon moved up as well, catching a lift alongside other U.S. wireless carriers.
- Investors zero in on competitive signals, waiting for the next inflation print.
AT&T jumped 3.5% to $28.37 Wednesday, moving in a $27.15-to-$28.56 range as activity increased across U.S. wireless. Verizon finished up 2.8%, while T-Mobile tacked on 2.6%.
This shift has investors watching closely—any sign that the carriers might hold the line on pricing, instead of leaning on heavy promotions, is significant. Tiny upticks count in this sector, so even a subtle change in messaging can send the stocks moving.
Telecom names tend to act like yield stocks: sizable dividends, plenty of debt, and rate talk always lurking. After a robust U.S. jobs print, traders dialed back hopes for imminent Fed cuts—stocks chopped around as a result. 1
T-Mobile offered the most straightforward signal, bumping its 2027 service revenue forecast up to $81.5 billion and lifting its adjusted free cash flow outlook for that year. The company pointed directly to customers snapping up pricier 5G plans that include streaming benefits. But T-Mobile also announced it will no longer break out postpaid phone subscriber adds—those monthly-bill users—a move that split opinions. Craig Moffett at MoffettNathanson tossed in, “more is more,” while CFO Peter Osvaldik countered that 60% of customers are now picking premium plans. 2
AT&T investors got a look at new disclosures after the company submitted its Form 10-K annual report late Monday, covering the year ended Dec. 31, 2025, according to the regulatory filing. 3
AT&T once again faces the usual dilemma: just how aggressive will it get with phone deals to prevent wireless defections? Another big question—can broadband numbers keep pace as competitors ramp up their bundles. Churn remains under scrutiny, too. Even a minor uptick there often hints at pricier marketing campaigns ahead.
Wednesday’s bounce has a catch. Should carriers ramp up competition for upgrades and new lines, margins take a hit quickly—investors usually don’t let that slide.
Policy and privacy stories sometimes move markets, too. On Tuesday, AT&T lawyers and counsel for other big carriers were pressed hard at a Senate Judiciary hearing about their handling of phone-record requests during a past Justice Department probe. The companies told lawmakers they’ve since changed their procedures. 4
Inflation takes the spotlight next. January’s U.S. Consumer Price Index lands Friday, Feb. 13 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern. If the number comes in hot, yields could climb—typically a headwind for dividend payers such as AT&T. 5
