As of November 23, 2025, AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) sits near $25.93 per share while investors digest a nationwide 5G upgrade, a $177 million data‑breach settlement with a December 18 claim deadline, strong Q3 2025 earnings, and a flurry of institutional buying and selling.
AT&T stock snapshot heading into the new week
AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) heads into the week of November 24 with its share price hovering around the $25.9 level. The latest available data show: [1]
- Last close: about $25.93
- Move on Friday: roughly +1.6% vs. the prior close
- 52‑week range: around $21.38 – $29.79
- Approximate market cap:$184 billion
For many investors watching AT&T on Google News and Discover, the stock now sits well above its 2025 low but still meaningfully below its early‑September high, positioning it as a defensive, dividend‑paying telecom with moderate upside, rather than a high‑growth tech rocket. TechStock²
What’s new today, November 23, 2025?
While U.S. markets are closed on Sunday, the news flow around AT&T continues. The main fresh developments dated November 23, 2025 are:
- Multiple institutional investors updated their AT&T positions.
- A Dallas‑area legal fight over AT&T’s Luke Wilson ad campaign hit local headlines.
- New explainers about AT&T’s $177 million data‑breach settlement — and its December 18 deadline — continued to surface.
Let’s break those down.
1. Big money shuffles its AT&T holdings
A cluster of 13F‑based headlines from MarketBeat on November 23 highlights how institutional investors have been repositioning around AT&T during the second quarter: [2]
- Prudential Financial Inc.
- Increased its AT&T stake by 60.8%, buying about 3.4 million additional shares.
- Now holds roughly 8.99 million shares, worth around $260 million, or about 0.13% of the company. [3]
- Private Management Group Inc.
- Boosted its position by a striking 723.3%, adding 96,808 shares in Q2.
- Now owns roughly 110,193 shares, valued at about $3.19 million. [4]
- Coldstream Capital Management Inc.
- Lifted its stake by 6.9%, to 413,030 shares worth around $11.95 million. [5]
- AlphaCore Capital LLC
- Increased its holdings by 74.6%, buying 33,419 shares to reach 78,207 shares in total, valued at roughly $2.26 million. [6]
- Vestor Capital LLC
- Moved the other way, cutting its AT&T stake by 93.7%.
- Sold 461,083 shares, leaving 31,010 shares (about $897,000 worth). [7]
Across these filings, one theme stands out: institutions remain very active in AT&T, with MarketBeat putting overall institutional and hedge‑fund ownership around 57% of shares outstanding. [8]
For everyday investors, this flurry of activity sends a mixed signal:
- On the bullish side, large firms like Prudential, Coldstream and AlphaCore are adding aggressively to AT&T.
- On the cautious side, Vestor’s sharp reduction shows not every professional manager sees the same risk‑reward profile.
Still, the net picture leans toward institutional engagement rather than abandonment, which typically supports liquidity and price discovery.
2. AT&T vs. T‑Mobile: Luke Wilson ad lands in court
Another fresh November 23 story comes from The Dallas Morning News, detailing why actor Luke Wilson has become an unexpected face of a legal slugfest involving AT&T, T‑Mobile and the ad industry’s self‑regulator. [9]
Key points:
- The ad at the center: AT&T’s spot titled “This Ain’t Our First Rodeo,” featuring Dallas native Luke Wilson as part of a broader campaign positioning AT&T as “the best overall wireless network.”
- The dispute:
- The National Advertising Division (NAD) — part of BBB National Programs — told AT&T to pull the campaign, after T‑Mobile challenged the ad as misleading. [10]
- AT&T responded by suing the NAD, arguing that referencing the watchdog’s public findings about a competitor should be protected speech.
- What’s at stake:
- The case could influence how far companies can go in calling out rivals in advertising while still complying with industry self‑regulation.
- AT&T frames the dispute as not just about marketing, but about First Amendment issues around truthful commercial speech. [11]
From a stock and brand perspective, this fight is less about near‑term earnings and more about AT&T’s competitive messaging as it pushes an image of network quality and reliability versus T‑Mobile and Verizon.
3. $177 million AT&T data‑breach settlement: December 18 deadline looms
AT&T’s massive $177 million settlement over two 2024 data incidents remains one of the biggest storylines around the company — and it’s back in today’s headlines as consumer sites publish fresh explainers on who can claim up to $7,500 and how. [12]
The official picture
According to the court‑authorized settlement website (telecomdatasettlement.com), this class‑action settlement covers two major data security incidents involving AT&T customer information and is now in the claim‑submission phase. [13]
Important dates on the official site:
- Claim deadline:Thursday, December 18, 2025
- Opt‑out deadline: November 17, 2025 (already passed)
- Final approval hearing: January 15, 2026 [14]
Multiple outlets — including local newspapers, TechRadar and CT Insider — report the following headline details: [15]
- Total settlement fund: $177 million
- Two covered incidents in 2024:
- A breach involving sensitive personal data such as Social Security numbers and account details.
- A later incident involving call and text records accessed via a third‑party cloud platform.
- Maximum potential payout:
- Up to $5,000 for documented losses tied to the earlier incident.
- Up to $2,500 for documented losses tied to the later incident.
- Combined, some customers could claim up to $7,500 if impacted by both.
Today’s new consumer guides (for example, on TGHSS and UNCUT Duke) essentially repackage the official instructions, walking people through: [16]
- How to check eligibility
- What documentation to gather
- How to file online or by mail before December 18
For AT&T shareholders, the financial impact is not a surprise. AT&T’s Q3 2025 earnings package explicitly notes about $440 million of apportioned property and casualty settlements connected to cyber‑attack litigation — essentially reserving for this and related matters. [17]
The key investor takeaway:
The settlement is large in absolute dollars, but manageable relative to AT&T’s cash flow, and much of the financial impact has already been reflected in recent results.
4. 5G spectrum and EchoStar: AT&T floors the accelerator
Beyond today’s date‑stamped news, AT&T’s 5G and fiber build‑out remains the strategic backbone of the story — and it’s been an active November.
On November 17, 2025, AT&T announced that it has deployed mid‑band 3.45 GHz spectrum it agreed to acquire from EchoStar to nearly 23,000 cell sites across more than 5,300 cities and towns in 48 states. [18]
Highlights from AT&T’s own release:
- Customers in upgraded areas are already seeing up to 80% faster 5G download speeds and up to 55% faster speeds on AT&T Internet Air, its fixed‑wireless product.
- The rollout uses a spectrum manager lease, effectively turning on the capacity ahead of the full $23 billion EchoStar spectrum transaction, which is expected to close in the first half of 2026. [19]
Independent analysts at BNP Paribas estimate that: [20]
- AT&T’s average upper mid‑band channel width (in the 3 GHz range) rises by about 26%, from roughly 120 MHz to around 150 MHz when you include existing C‑Band holdings.
- This enhanced mid‑band capacity is likely to be a new headwind for cable companies, particularly in Cox’s footprint, as AT&T gains more firepower to compete with fixed broadband via 5G and fixed wireless access.
This mid‑band ramp ties directly into AT&T’s larger strategy:
- Convergence: Sell both mobile and home internet to the same households for “stickier,” more profitable relationships.
- Capital efficiency: Use spectrum to add capacity instead of building thousands of extra towers.
For investors, this helps explain why AT&T has been comfortable reiterating its 2025 guidance even as it commits tens of billions of dollars to spectrum and fiber. [21]
5. IoT leadership and new enterprise credibility
Another fresh corporate headline this week: AT&T has been recognized as a leader in global IoT connectivity by Transforma Insights’ 2025 IoT Peer Benchmarking Report. [22]
AT&T’s press release emphasizes:
- Its top‑tier ranking among cellular connectivity providers.
- The role of Global SIM Advanced, IoT Console “single pane of glass,” and AT&T Connection Manager in simplifying global deployments for enterprises.
This matters because:
- IoT is one of the strongest enterprise growth vectors in telecom.
- Combining 5G capacity + fiber backhaul + advanced IoT platforms strengthens AT&T’s pitch to industrial, automotive, logistics and smart‑city customers.
While IoT doesn’t move the share price day‑to‑day like a dividend headline might, it reinforces the long‑term growth story that analysts incorporate into their valuation work.
6. Digital inclusion: AT&T and AARP’s OATS focus on older adults
On November 18, AT&T and OATS from AARP announced an expanded partnership backed by an additional $1 million contribution from AT&T, aimed at helping older adults build digital skills. [23]
According to the joint press release:
- The program will use AT&T’s Connected Learning® resources in combination with Senior Planet centers and online courses.
- OATS reports 276,000 interactions with older adults in 2024 and sees the expansion as a way to reduce isolation and boost confidence among seniors using technology.
- AT&T situates the initiative within its broader commitment of $5 billion toward helping 25 million people get and stay connected by 2030.
For ESG‑minded investors and regulators, these efforts contribute to AT&T’s social‑impact narrative, which increasingly matters in large‑cap portfolios and sustainability screens.
7. Third‑quarter 2025 earnings: context behind the headlines
Many of today’s stories reference AT&T’s Q3 2025 results, released on October 22. Those numbers form the backdrop for the current stock, dividend and settlement discussions. [24]
Key consolidated results:
- Revenue: $30.7 billion, up 1.6% year‑over‑year.
- GAAP diluted EPS:$1.29, boosted by the gain on selling the remaining DIRECTV stake.
- Adjusted EPS:$0.54, flat vs. the year‑ago quarter and in line with expectations.
- Free cash flow:$4.9 billion, up from $4.6 billion a year earlier.
- Postpaid phone net adds:405,000.
- AT&T Fiber net adds:288,000, with consumer fiber broadband revenue up 16.8% year‑over‑year.
AT&T also:
- Closed the sale of its remaining 70% stake in DIRECTV.
- Repurchased $1.5 billion of common stock in Q3, and more than $2.4 billion year‑to‑date under a 2024 authorization.
- Reiterated all of its full‑year 2025 guidance, including expectations for low‑single‑digit service revenue growth and at least 3% adjusted EBITDA growth, along with free cash flow in the low‑to‑mid $16 billion range. [25]
The company also laid out a longer‑term 2026–27 outlook, targeting:
- Annual service‑revenue growth in the low single digits
- Adjusted EBITDA growth of 3%+ per year
- Free cash flow of $18+ billion in 2026 and $19+ billion in 2027
For investors, this frames AT&T as a “steady‑compounder” telecom trying to balance:
- Heavy capex and spectrum spending (EchoStar, Lumen fiber)
- A sizable but serviceable debt load
- Ongoing shareholder returns via dividends and buybacks
8. Dividend profile: still a core part of the AT&T thesis
AT&T’s dividend remains one of the main reasons many income investors keep the stock on their radar.
On September 25, AT&T’s board declared another $0.2775 per‑share quarterly dividend, payable on November 3, 2025, continuing the pattern of flat payouts since the post‑WarnerMedia reset. [26]
At roughly $25.93 per share, that equates to: TechStock²+1
- Annualized dividend:$1.11
- Dividend yield: about 4.3%
MarketBeat and other aggregators generally estimate the payout ratio in the mid‑30% range based on projected earnings — leaving room for: [27]
- Continued investment in 5G and fiber
- Debt reduction
- Opportunistic share repurchases
That said, AT&T is not being valued like a high‑growth story. Recent consensus data point to a “Moderate Buy” rating with an average 12‑month price target around $30–31, implying mid‑teens upside from current levels if management delivers on its plan. [28]
9. What to watch next if you follow AT&T (T)
Looking beyond today’s headlines, here are the key signposts to monitor if you track AT&T stock via Google News and finance apps:
- Claim volume and noise around the $177M data‑breach settlement
- How many people file by December 18, 2025, and whether any new legal challenges or regulatory comments emerge. [29]
- Regulatory progress on the EchoStar spectrum and Lumen fiber deals
- Both transactions are slated to close in 2026 and will shape AT&T’s leverage, capex trajectory and competitive positioning for years. [30]
- Execution on 5G and fiber growth targets
- Watch for updates on mid‑band deployment, AT&T Internet Air subscriber numbers, and postpaid phone & fiber net adds in future quarters. [31]
- Ongoing ad‑war developments with T‑Mobile and the NAD
- Any court rulings on AT&T’s challenge could affect not just its Luke Wilson campaign, but how aggressively telecoms can attack each other’s marketing claims in the future. [32]
- Macro environment and rate sensitivity
- As a high‑yield, heavily capital‑intensive business, AT&T remains sensitive to interest‑rate expectations, which in turn influence telecom valuations and investor appetite for yield.
10. Bottom line for November 23, 2025
Putting all of today’s information together:
- The stock: AT&T (T) sits around $25.9, with a ~4.3% yield and mid‑teens implied upside to consensus targets. TechStock²+1
- The business: Q3 results were steady, with continued strength in wireless and fiber, rising free cash flow and reiterated 2025 guidance. [33]
- The news today:
- Institutions reshuffled positions, with more prominent buyers than sellers in the latest filings. [34]
- A high‑profile legal spat over Luke Wilson ads keeps AT&T’s brand and network claims in the spotlight. [35]
- The $177 million data‑breach settlement remains front‑and‑center for consumers, with a December 18, 2025 claim deadline and maximum potential payouts up to $7,500. [36]
For investors, AT&T continues to look like a yield‑plus‑execution story: a mature telecom leaning on 5G, fiber and IoT to grow just enough to support its dividend, manage its debt, and potentially re‑rate the stock higher — provided it continues to navigate legal, competitive and regulatory minefields without major missteps.
Disclosure: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, a recommendation to buy or sell any security, or legal advice. Always do your own research or consult a licensed professional before making investment decisions.
References
1. finance.yahoo.com, 2. www.marketbeat.com, 3. www.marketbeat.com, 4. www.marketbeat.com, 5. www.marketbeat.com, 6. www.marketbeat.com, 7. www.marketbeat.com, 8. www.marketbeat.com, 9. www.dallasnews.com, 10. www.fierce-network.com, 11. www.dallasnews.com, 12. tghss.in, 13. www.telecomdatasettlement.com, 14. www.telecomdatasettlement.com, 15. m.economictimes.com, 16. tghss.in, 17. investors.att.com, 18. about.att.com, 19. about.att.com, 20. www.advanced-television.com, 21. about.att.com, 22. about.att.com, 23. oats.org, 24. about.att.com, 25. about.att.com, 26. about.att.com, 27. www.marketbeat.com, 28. www.marketbeat.com, 29. www.telecomdatasettlement.com, 30. about.att.com, 31. about.att.com, 32. www.dallasnews.com, 33. about.att.com, 34. www.marketbeat.com, 35. www.dallasnews.com, 36. www.telecomdatasettlement.com
