New York, February 1, 2026, 06:07 EST — Market closed
AT&T shares closed Friday up 4.3% at $26.21, defying a weaker market as U.S. telecom stocks rallied late in the week. Verizon jumped 11.83%, while T-Mobile US gained 4.19%, even though the S&P 500 dipped 0.43%, according to market data.
U.S. markets are closed this weekend, leaving Monday’s open poised for a quick check: did earnings season spark a brief bounce, or is money flowing back into high-cash-flow telecom stocks for real?
The stakes are higher now as wireless carriers aim to grow their subscriber base without slashing margins. Investors remain wary of another price war, especially with the sector’s hefty network investments tightening the margin for error.
Verizon stole the spotlight on Friday, after its forecast for annual profit and free cash flow came in above expectations, driven by aggressive holiday promotions and the strongest quarterly wireless subscriber gains in six years. The company also announced a new share buyback program, potentially worth up to $25 billion. CEO Dan Schulman declared, “Verizon will no longer be a hunting ground for our competitors.” Analysts at MoffettNathanson pointed out that Verizon’s fiber network now rivals AT&T’s in size. Reuters
AT&T saw heavy action on Friday, with shares swinging from $25.15 up to $26.29. Trading volume hit roughly 78.2 million shares, per historical pricing data.
Verizon’s results offer a double-edged signal for AT&T investors. Robust subscriber growth suggests demand remains steady, but aggressive promotions may drag down future service revenue if prices slip.
The downside is straightforward. Should the industry push deeper into discounting to boost growth, 2026 cash-flow forecasts might take a hit, particularly for highly indebted firms. Telecom shares often suffer when Treasury yields climb, as income-focused investors may pivot to bonds.
The next big macro event is just around the corner. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics will release the January Employment Situation report on February 6 at 8:30 a.m. ET. This data often shifts rate outlooks and can send ripples through dividend-focused sectors.
AT&T is due to pay a quarterly dividend of $0.2775 per share on February 2, with shareholders of record as of January 12 eligible for the payout, according to the company’s dividend history.
T-Mobile is set to release its fourth-quarter results and provide a capital-markets update on February 11. This could shake up expectations on customer churn and reveal how aggressively the sector plans to compete on pricing.
AT&T’s action on Monday will test if last Friday’s telecom surge can hold. Investors are eyeing rate-sensitive moves as the U.S. jobs report looms on February 6 at 8:30 a.m. ET.
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