AT&T's Dividend Costs the Company a Fixed Amount Every Quarter Regardless of Competitive Pressure From Starlink or Cable Rivals. Here's the Coverage Ratio That Actually Determines Whether It's Safe.
AT&T paid out $3.973 billion in dividends in the first half of 2026, but where does that money come from?
Overview
AT&T (NYSE: T) is part of a cellphone oligopoly in the United States. Essentially, the telecom giant and its main competitors dominate the sector, making it difficult for a newcomer to break in. However, that hasn't stopped companies from trying, including cable operators offering bundled services and, perhaps, even Space Exploration Corporation's (NASDAQ: SPCX) Starlink. Here's how investors should view AT&T's ability to maintain its well-above-market 4.4% dividend yield as more companies try to break into the lucrative cellphone market.
The first thing to consider when looking at AT&T's business is the competitive landscape. It has always been intense, as the members of the cellphone oligopoly fight tooth and nail for market share. There's a good reason for that, however: customer revenues tend to be annuity-like. That provides a solid foundation for paying the dividend. And while the involvement of cable companies and SpaceX increases competition, AT&T should be able to hold its own as a business.
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Originally published at www.fool.com.