đ± Verizon: Howâs Tracfone Tracking?
đ± Verizon: Howâs Tracfone Tracking?
Chipotle blows past analyst expectations. Tesla Q1 earnings preview
Hey Global Investor, here's what you need to know before the US markets open.
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đ± Verizon: Howâs Tracfone Tracking?
Verizon Communications Inc (VZ), USâ largest wireless carrier, beat both earnings and revenue estimates. However, there seems to be trouble brewing in the âever afterâ plans Verizon had made when it announced the acquisition of Tracfone last September. (Tweet This)
Background
Even if its origins were in the wired era, Verizon Communications Inc. is now a wireless business for all practical purposes. 70% of its revenue and nearly all of its operating income come from wireless consumer business. The company serves ~95M customers (pre and post-paid) and connects an additional 25M devices such as tablets through its network.Â
Out of the remaining 30% revenue, 12% comes from fixed-line business in the Northeast, 10% comes from nationwide enterprise services, and the remaining comes from Verizon Media Group. This group is the online media and advertising arm that was formed with the acquisitions of AOL and Yahoo!
In telecom, 5G is all the rage, but of primary importance to all networks is the next source of customers. Last fall, Verizon had announced it was acquiring Tracfone from América Móvil for $6.9B. The acquisition seems to be running into hot water when it comes to regulatory approvals.
What Happened?
In Q1, Verizon lost 178K wireless phone subscribers against an expected 121.7K loss.Â
Other Key Q1 Stats:
EPS: $1.31 Vs. $1.29 estimated
Revenue: $32.87B Vs. $32.46B estimated
Consumer segment grew 5% to $22.8B; business segment grew by 1.3% to $7.8B; media business grew 10.4% to $1.9B. The company estimates spending ~$20B this year as it rolls out 5G nationwide. To support the rollout, the company also raised debt. Today, its net debt stands at $137B, $40B more than last year.Â
That brings us to Tracfone, which is a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) that uses multiple networks - Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, etc. Itâs the largest wireless reseller in the US with 21M subscribers of whom, 13M are on Verizon already. Competing MVNOs have petitioned the FCC demanding the remaining 8M subscribers be divested by Verizon. Â
The labor union Communications Workers of America has expressed concern about low-income subscribers in 42 states that use Tracfone who may be abandoned by Verizon altogether. 16 states and the District of Columbia have chimed in urging the FCC to seek additional information from Verizon.Â
The net result: last month, the FCC rejected Verizonâs request for an expedited review of the deal saying there are issues of âextraordinary complexityâ that require an additional 90-day review period. Whether the light at the end of the tunnel is an oncoming train is anybodyâs guess.
Market Reaction
VZ ended the day at $58.14, down 0.43%.
Company Snapshot đ
VZ $58.14 -0.25Â (0.43%)
Analyst Ratings (28 Â Analysts) BUY 29%Â Â HOLD 71% Â SELL 0%
Newsworthy đ°
Bad Bets: Credit Suisse reports $275 million first-quarter loss after Archegos hedge fund scandal (CS +0.87)
Yummy: Chipotle Q1 earnings blows away Wall Street's estimates, boosted by digital surge (CMG -1.60%)
Spotlight: Tesla to report first-quarter earnings amid renewed concerns about its Autopilot (TSLAÂ +3.50%)
Later Today đ
Before Markets Open: American Airlines Group Inc Earnings (AAL)
Before Markets Open:Â AT&T Inc Earnings (T)
Before Markets Open:Â Pool Corp Earnings (POOL)
6:00 PM IST: Initial jobless claimsÂ
6:00 PM IST:Â Gross domestic product
Fun Fact of The Day đ
Many feet bones don't harden until you're an adult
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