Continue to enjoy AT&T’s high yield

Article Excerpt

AT&T will pause its annual dividend increase this year in favour of additional debt repayments. We feel that’s prudent given the pandemic has hurt advertising revenue for its media operations. However, the current high rate looks sustainable, and investors will benefit as the economy re-opens. AT&T INC. $29 is a buy. The company (New York symbol T; Income-Growth Dividend Portfolio, Utilities sector; Shares outstanding: 7.2 billion; Market cap: $208.8 billion; Dividend yield: 7.2%; Dividend Sustainability Rating: Highest; www.att.com) is the largest wireless carrier in the U.S., with 182.6 million subscribers. It also has 6.1 million traditional phone customers, 14.1 million high-speed Internet users, and 17.2 million TV customers. As well, AT&T sells wireless and satellite TV services to over 29 million users in Mexico and Latin America. The company last raised its quarterly dividend with the February 2020 payment. Investors now receive $0.52 a share, up 2.0% from $0.51. The new annual rate of $2.08 yields a high 7.2%. AT&T has decided to postpone its usual…