Big deal has hidden advantages

Article Excerpt

As demand for traditional phone service declines, AT&T is shifting into faster-growing fields like wireless and fibre optic TV. On the surface, the company’s recent deal to buy satellite TV provider DirecTV doesn’t seem to fit with that plan. That’s because strong competition from cable operators and online streaming has hurt satellite demand in the past few years. However, DirecTV will let AT&T expand its wireless and highspeed Internet services to rural users. It will also give it a platform to expand in Latin America. Moreover, an increased number of TV subscribers will help AT&T negotiate better deals for TV shows, particularly profitable sports programming like NFL football. AT&T INC. $35 (New York symbol T; Conservative Growth and Income Portfolios, Utilities sector; Shares outstanding: 5.2 billion; Market cap: $182.0 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 1.4; Dividend yield: 5.3%; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.att.com) is the largest wireless service provider in the U.S., with 116.6 million subscribers. This business supplies 55% of the company’s…