AT&T (T) earnings report card
The latest results graded A to F: sales, earnings per share and profit margin against what analysts expected and against a year ago, with a plain-English take.
A mixed quarter: profit per share came in 6% above forecasts, but operating margin narrowed 7.3 points: costs grew faster than sales.
- Profit per share came in 6% above forecasts.
- Operating margin narrowed 7.3 points: costs grew faster than sales.
👀 Next report: whether margins recover.
| Actual | Expected | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | $32.32bn | $32.32bn | ● +0.0% in line |
| Earnings per share | $0.65 | $0.61 | ▲ +6% beat |
| Net profit margin | 14.4% | 13.6% | ▲ +0.9 pts |
| The quarter in detail | This quarter | A year ago | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating margin | 12.7% | 19.9% | ▼ −7.3 pts |
| Net margin | 2.8% | 30.3% | ▼ −27.6 pts |
| Revenue vs the quarter before | $32.32bn | $31.56bn (quarter before) | ▲ +2.4% |
How the grade is worked out
| Revenue vs forecast | 10 / 20 | +0.0%: +2.5% or more scores full marks, −2.5% or worse scores nothing |
|---|---|---|
| EPS vs forecast | 13.2 / 20 | +6%: +20% or more scores full marks, −20% or worse scores nothing |
| Margin vs forecast | 9.7 / 15 | +0.9 pts: 3 points or more above forecast scores full marks |
Score = points ÷ points available × 100, using whatever figures are known. A from 80, B from 65, C from 50, D from 35, F below; + and − mark the top and bottom of each band. The share price reaction is shown but doesn't count towards the grade.
Expected = analysts' average forecast before the results. Net margin vs forecast uses earnings per share × diluted shares; the quarter in detail uses the company's SEC filing once it's out. A grade of what was reported, not a recommendation.
Reported 21 Oct 2026 · Sources: Finnhub (results and analyst forecasts), SEC EDGAR (company filings)
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