New York, March 2, 2026, 07:31 ET — Premarket
- AT&T shares slipped before the U.S. market opened, with broader risk appetite turning negative.
- Rising oil and changes in rate expectations have been steering sentiment in sectors known for hefty dividends.
- AT&T executives are set to speak at conferences this week, and investors are listening closely for any new remarks.
AT&T Inc slipped 0.36% to $27.91 before the bell Monday, trimming a fraction off last week’s advance as some investors held back before the market opened.
This slight shift is notable: macro news is once again steering the tape. Telecoms sometimes act as a haven when risk sentiment fades, though higher yields can turn up the pressure on high-dividend stocks in the group.
U.S. stock index futures slid more than 1% as tensions flared in the Middle East, sending crude up 8% and fueling new inflation jitters. Treasury yields ticked higher. “There is plenty of scope for more downside should the conflict widen to encompass oil and gas infrastructure,” said Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at online trading platform IG. Reuters
AT&T wrapped up Friday’s regular trading 2% higher at $28.01, with shares moving in a range from $27.51 to $28.01.
AT&T shareholders know the drill. When investors crave steady cash, the stock’s yield looks good. But once inflation jitters drive up rates, those “bond-proxy” names like AT&T tend to fade out of favor.
The industry backdrop hasn’t changed: AT&T remains locked in competition for wireless and broadband subscribers in a U.S. market that’s hit maturity. Promotions shift on a dime, and squeezing out margin gains is tough work.
The darker setup isn’t complicated: with oil prices holding high and investors bracing for a longer spell of stubborn inflation, rate-sensitive shares may stumble—regardless of how steady the company’s operations appear. An uptick in aggressive pricing among wireless players could pile on more strain.
Forget the upcoming earnings report—traders are zeroing in on what AT&T’s executives have to say. Chief Operating Officer Jeff McElfresh is set to appear at the Morgan Stanley Tech, Media & Telecom Conference on Tuesday, March 3. Not far behind, CFO Pascal Desroches lines up for a Deutsche Bank telecom event on March 9.
Investors will be combing through those appearances, looking for anything on subscriber momentum, how quickly fiber is rolling out, and what’s happening with capital outlays — the typical drivers that can shift sentiment when the stock trades as a steady compounder.
Monday brings a full slate: the macro calendar is in focus, with U.S. manufacturing data expected later and the payrolls report looming this week. Eyes are also drifting to crude prices, and to whatever AT&T leaders announce on March 3.
