On Friday, KeyBanc Capital Markets maintained its Overweight rating on Cable One (NYSE:CABO) stock with a price target of $850.00. The firm adjusted its expectations for the company's performance in the second quarter of 2024, citing a shift in the anticipated impact of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) on subscriber numbers.
Cable One is expected to experience the effects of the ACP primarily in the second quarter of 2024, rather than the previously forecasted spread over the second and third quarters. This revision comes after discussions with the company, providing new insights into the timing of the ACP's influence.
KeyBanc suggests that the ability of Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to opt for partial funding in May could explain the difference in impact timing compared to competitors like Comcast (NASDAQ:CMCSA) and Charter Communications (NASDAQ:CHTR), which are expected to feel the effects mainly in the third quarter.
The anticipated shift in the ACP's impact has led KeyBanc to revise downward its second-quarter estimates for Cable One's high-speed data (HSD) subscribers and average revenue per user (ARPU). These adjustments are expected to result in lower projections for both HSD revenue and adjusted EBITDA for the quarter.
Despite the revision of these short-term estimates, KeyBanc remains optimistic about Cable One's long-term prospects. The firm believes that underlying subscriber trends for Cable One should stay positive and that declines in ARPU are likely to moderate.
KeyBanc emphasizes that the market may not fully appreciate Cable One's long-term ability to drive subscriber growth, reinforcing the rationale behind the Overweight rating.
"In other recent news, Cable One, Inc., a leading provider of cable and pay television services, announced significant organizational changes aimed at enhancing customer growth and operational efficiency. The restructuring includes a geographic reorganization of the company's systems management and a streamlining of its customer service operations.
This move is expected to reduce the workforce by about 4%, resulting in an estimated $7 million in pre-tax charges, primarily related to severance and other termination benefits. However, the company anticipates that these changes will yield approximately $14 million in annual cost savings once fully implemented.
In terms of financial performance, Cable One demonstrated resilience in its first quarter 2024 earnings with a revenue of $404.3 million and a net income of $47.3 million.
The company added approximately 6,900 new residential broadband customers and saw growth in both residential and business data revenues. This resulted in an adjusted EBITDA reaching $217.1 million.
These recent developments reflect Cable One's strategic efforts to navigate a competitive landscape while positioning itself for future growth. The company's focus on network infrastructure enhancement, organic growth, strategic investments, and customer retention strategies underscore its commitment to strengthening its market position and financial stability."
InvestingPro Insights
As Cable One (NYSE:CABO) navigates the impact of the Affordable Connectivity Program on its subscriber dynamics, real-time data from InvestingPro provides a broader financial context. With a market capitalization of approximately $1.96 billion and a compelling P/E ratio of 7.64, Cable One presents an interesting valuation proposition. The company's commitment to shareholder returns is underscored by a consistent dividend growth, having raised its dividend for 9 consecutive years, a fact that aligns with KeyBanc's positive long-term outlook.
InvestingPro Tips highlight that Cable One has not only maintained dividend payments for 10 consecutive years but also boasts a strong free cash flow yield, suggesting a robust financial health that could support its dividend policy going forward. Furthermore, the company's liquid assets exceed its short-term obligations, providing financial flexibility in a dynamic market environment. For readers interested in deeper analysis, InvestingPro offers additional tips on Cable One, which can be accessed with a special promotion. Use coupon code PRONEWS24 to get up to 10% off a yearly Pro and a yearly or biyearly Pro+ subscription, revealing more insights into Cable One's performance and prospects.
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