AT&T stock jumps on upbeat 2026 outlook and $45B return plan — fiber deals in focus
AT&T shares rose 4.9% to $24.14 Wednesday after reporting a 3.6% revenue increase to $33.5 billion for the fourth quarter and $4.2 billion in free cash flow. The company reaffirmed plans to return over $45 billion to shareholders through 2028 and projected at least $18 billion in free cash flow by 2026. Trading volume topped 52 million shares. Investors watched pending fiber and spectrum deals and signs of easing wireless churn.