The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Verizon Communications, Comcast, Grupo Televisa, Rogers Communications and T-Mobile

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Oct 31, 2014, 09:30 ET

CHICAGO, Oct. 31, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include the Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ-Free Report), Comcast Corp. (Nasdaq:CMCSA-Free Report), Grupo Televisa SA (NYSE:TV-Free Report), Rogers Communications Inc. (NYSE:RCI-Free Report) and T-Mobile US Inc. (NYSE:TMUS-Free Report).

Today, Zacks is promoting its ''Buy'' stock recommendations. Get #1Stock of the Day pick for free.

Here are highlights from Thursday's Analyst Blog:

Telecom Stock Roundup

In the last week, most of the major telecom stocks traded in the positive. This is despite the fact that several large telecom operators failed to meet their earnings estimates. However, impressive subscriber additions by telecom carriers reinstates hope in the industry's long-term growth opportunity.

Meanwhile, Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ-Free Report) has decided to offer online video streaming services in two different forms. The company will utilize LTE multicast for its wireless customers on LTE network and will also offer video through Internet for its residential broadband users.

On the other hand, cable MSOs (multi-service operators) reported mixed results. While Comcast Corp. (Nasdaq:CMCSA-Free Report) reported strong third quarter 2014 financial results with significantly reduced customer churn rate, Grupo Televisa SA (NYSE:TV-Free Report) and Rogers Communications Inc. (NYSE:RCI-Free Report) failed to meet expectations.

Recap of the Week's Most Important Stories

1. T-Mobile US Inc. (NYSE:TMUS-Free Report) reported third-quarter 2014 loss of 12 cents per share which compared unfavorably with the Zacks Consensus Estimate of earnings of 3 cents. The loss also deteriorated a massive 140% from the year-ago quarter's loss. Total revenue increased 9.9% year over year to $7,350 million in the third quarter, but fell short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $7,513 million. (Read More: T-Mobile Misses Q3 Estimates with Wider Loss, Revenues Up.)

2. Comcast reported robust financial results for the third quarter of 2014. The company's net earnings and total revenue easily outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate. GAAP net income in the third quarter of 2014 came in at $2,592 million or 99 cents per share compared with $1,732 million or 65 cents per share in the prior-year quarter.

Further, quarterly adjusted earnings per share of 73 cents steered past the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 71 cents. Meanwhile, total revenue stood at $16,791 million, up 4% year over year and also above the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $16,778 million.

3. Rogers Communications declared mixed quarterly numbers for the third quarter of 2014. Net income stood at $305.2 million or 64 cents per share compared with $446.5 million or 90 cents in the year-ago quarter. Moreover, adjusted earnings per share of 68 cents missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 82 cents. On the other hand, quarterly total revenue grossed $2,896 million, up 0.9% year over year. The figure also surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2,836 million. (Read More: Rogers Communications Lags Q3 Earnings, Revenues Up.)

Today, Zacks is promoting its ''Buy'' stock recommendations. Get #1Stock of the Day pick for free.

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