Viking Fund Management LLC Increases Stock Position in AT&T Inc. $T

Viking Fund Management LLC grew its position in AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) by 9.8% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 425,000 shares of the technology company’s stock after purchasing an additional 38,000 shares during the period. AT&T comprises about 1.5% of Viking Fund Management LLC’s portfolio, making the stock its 19th largest position. Viking Fund Management LLC’s holdings in AT&T were worth $12,002,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC bought a new position in shares of AT&T during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $5,266,758,000. Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of AT&T in the second quarter valued at approximately $2,228,655,000. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its position in shares of AT&T by 1.6% during the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 661,355,210 shares of the technology company’s stock valued at $19,139,620,000 after acquiring an additional 10,310,560 shares during the last quarter. Marshall Wace LLP purchased a new stake in shares of AT&T during the second quarter valued at approximately $235,422,000. Finally, Alyeska Investment Group L.P. bought a new stake in AT&T during the first quarter worth $217,268,000. 57.10% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have issued reports on T shares. Citigroup restated a “buy” rating on shares of AT&T in a research note on Tuesday, August 26th. Raymond James Financial restated a “strong-buy” rating and set a $33.00 price target (up previously from $31.00) on shares of AT&T in a research report on Thursday, September 18th. Weiss Ratings restated a “buy (b)” rating on shares of AT&T in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Sanford C. Bernstein boosted their target price on shares of AT&T from $31.00 to $32.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Thursday, September 4th. Finally, Wolfe Research lowered shares of AT&T from an “outperform” rating to a “peer perform” rating in a research note on Monday, December 15th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have issued a Buy rating and nine have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $30.36.

AT&T Price Performance

NYSE T opened at $24.11 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.96, a current ratio of 1.01 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.01. The company has a market cap of $170.95 billion, a PE ratio of 7.83, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.41 and a beta of 0.38. AT&T Inc. has a 52 week low of $21.38 and a 52 week high of $29.79. The firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $25.22 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $27.13.

AT&T (NYSE:T) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, October 22nd. The technology company reported $0.54 earnings per share for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $0.54. AT&T had a net margin of 17.87% and a return on equity of 12.72%. The firm had revenue of $30.71 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $30.85 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.60 earnings per share. The company’s revenue was up 1.7% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts predict that AT&T Inc. will post 2.14 earnings per share for the current year.

AT&T Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 2nd. Investors of record on Monday, January 12th will be paid a $0.2775 dividend. This represents a $1.11 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.6%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, January 12th. AT&T’s payout ratio is currently 36.04%.

AT&T News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting AT&T this week:

• Positive Sentiment: AT&T gained roughly $1.3B in annual revenue via December price hikes on wireless and internet plans — a near-term revenue and cash-flow tailwind that supports dividend coverage and debt reduction. AT&T gains $1.3B annual revenue
• Positive Sentiment: Investor commentary argues T is undervalued and positioned for secular growth from 5G, fiber and machine-to-machine/AI-driven demand — a fundamental bullish case that could support multiple expansion if execution continues. AT&T: The ‘Machine Economy’ Is The Real Driver
• Positive Sentiment: Recent market commentary noted a modest uptick in the stock amid a weaker broader market, suggesting short-term buying interest or rotation into yield names. AT&T (T) Rises As Market Takes a Dip
• Neutral Sentiment: Profile piece on AT&T’s CISO highlights executive background and cybersecurity focus — positive for corporate governance/PR but unlikely to move fundamentals on its own. AT&T exec manifested his CISO job
• Neutral Sentiment: Macro market note: week-end market strength mixed with housing softness — broader sentiment could influence cyclical flows into telecom/dividend names but is not AT&T-specific.
• Negative Sentiment: Goldman Sachs cut its price target on T from $33 to $29 while keeping a Buy rating — this reduces analyst-implied upside and may temper momentum among investors who track target changes. Goldman lowers price target
• Negative Sentiment: Two lawmakers raised concerns about EchoStar’s deals to sell spectrum to AT&T and SpaceX — regulatory scrutiny or delays could impede AT&T’s spectrum buildout plans and add execution risk for 5G expansion. Lawmakers raise concerns about Echostar deals
• Negative Sentiment: Ongoing data-breach settlement and claim deadlines (multiple state notices) keep potential legal exposure and reputational risk on the radar — possible cash settlements or litigation costs remain a downside catalyst. Were you affected by an AT&T data breach?

About AT&T

AT&T Inc is a global telecommunications company that provides a broad range of communications and digital entertainment services. Its core activities include consumer and business wireless services, broadband and fiber internet, and network infrastructure. The company operates branded wireless services through AT&T Mobility and deploys fixed-line and fiber networks to deliver high-speed internet and related home services.

AT&T’s product and service portfolio spans mobile voice and data plans, smartphones and device sales, home internet (including fiber-to-the-home where available), and managed connectivity solutions for enterprise customers.