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Comcast topped each income and revenue estimates within the fourth quarter because it misplaced fewer broadband subscribers than anticipated, and it raised its dividend 7%, the corporate stated Thursday.
Here is how Comcast carried out, in contrast with estimates from analysts surveyed by LSEG, previously generally known as Refinitiv.
- Earnings per share: 84 cents adjusted vs. 79 cents anticipated
- Income: $31.25 billion vs. $30.51 billion anticipated
For the quarter ended Dec. 31, internet earnings rose 7.8% to $3.26 billion, or 81 cents a share, in contrast with $3.02 billion, or 70 cents a share, a yr earlier. Income elevated 2.3% in contrast with the prior-year interval. Adjusted earnings earlier than curiosity, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) was flat yr over yr at about $8 billion.
“For the third consecutive yr, we generated the best income, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EPS in our firm’s historical past,” Comcast Chief Government Officer Brian Roberts stated in an announcement. “We additionally reported the best adjusted EBITDA on document at Theme Parks; had been the #1 studio in worldwide field workplace for the primary time since 2015; and maintained Peacock’s place because the quickest rising streamer within the U.S.”
Comcast shares rose about 5% on Thursday.
Comcast chairman and CEO Brian L. Roberts.
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Comcast elevated its dividend by 8 cents, or 7%, to $1.24 per share on an annualized foundation for 2024. It is the sixteenth consecutive yr the corporate has raised its dividend. Comcast additionally authorized a brand new share repurchase program authorization with no expiration date for $15 billion, efficient as of Friday.
Free money stream within the fourth quarter was $1.7 billion and $13 billion for the yr.
Comcast misplaced 34,000 home broadband subscribers — lower than the common analyst estimate of about 62,000 as compiled by StreetAccount. Regardless of the losses, home broadband income rose 3.7% to $6.4 billion. Common income per person jumped 3.9% as prospects linked extra gadgets and spent extra for greater Web speeds.
Executives on the corporate’s earnings name stated the home broadband enterprise stays sturdy regardless of the subscriber losses. Comcast does not count on broadband subscriber developments to enhance over the present quarter, however anticipates they’ll get higher over time, stated David Watson, CEO of Comcast Cable.
Comcast added 310,000 wi-fi subscribers, trailing the common analyst forecast of about 342,000 gained. The corporate misplaced 389,000 video subscribers — a narrower loss than the common analyst estimate of practically 458,000.
Theme parks adjusted EBITDA rose 11.6% to $872 million, which trailed analyst estimates of roughly $897 million. The determine nonetheless broke a quarterly document for Comcast.
NBCUniversal outcomes
NBCUniversal’s flagship streaming service, Peacock, added 3 million subscribers as income elevated 57% to $1.03 billion, marking the primary time Peacock has topped $1 billion or extra in 1 / 4. Peacock misplaced an adjusted $825 million within the quarter, narrowing its loss from $978 million in the identical interval a yr prior. Peacock ended the quarter with 31 million subscribers.
The corporate’s first unique dwell stream of an NFL Wild Card playoff sport drew practically 23 million viewers and consumed 30% of web site visitors, Mike Cavanagh, president of Comcast, stated on Thursday’s earnings name. Comcast expects to see a rise in paid subscribers from the sport, however the query is whether or not the platform will maintain them. Peacock is specializing in retaining these members who signed as much as watch the NFL playoffs, Cavanagh stated.
Total media income rose 3.1% to just about $7 billion, however adjusted EBITDA fell 50% to $108 million resulting from elevated sports activities programming prices and better programming prices at Peacock. The rise in sports activities prices mirrored greater media rights for NFL programming, the Premier League and the Large 10.
Home promoting income decreased 6.9% yr over yr to $2.64 billion, though gross sales would have elevated 2.7% within the quarter with the exclusion of final yr’s World Cup promoting.
Theatrical income rose 59% within the quarter primarily based largely on the efficiency of 4 movies: “5 Nights at Freddy’s,” “Trolls Band Collectively,” “The Exorcist: Believer” and “Migration.” Common ranked first in world field workplace in 2023 for the primary time since 2015 and produced three of the highest 5 motion pictures: “The Tremendous Mario Bros. Film,” “Oppenheimer” and “Quick X.”
— CNBC’s Micah Washington contributed to this report
Disclosure: Comcast owns NBCUniversal, the guardian firm of CNBC.
Correction: Peacock added 3 million subscribers as income elevated 57% to $1.03 billion. An earlier model misstated the proportion.
