We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies, revised Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
You are being directed to ZacksTrade, a division of LBMZ Securities and licensed broker-dealer. ZacksTrade and Zacks.com are separate companies. The web link between the two companies is not a solicitation or offer to invest in a particular security or type of security. ZacksTrade does not endorse or adopt any particular investment strategy, any analyst opinion/rating/report or any approach to evaluating individual securities.
If you wish to go to ZacksTrade, click OK. If you do not, click Cancel.
CenturyLink Rides on Sales-Force Integration, Risks Remain
Read MoreHide Full Article
On May 21, we issued an updated research report on CenturyLink, Inc. .
The network provider is currently focusing on sales force integration and driving profitable revenue growth while improving customer experience. Such consistent integration efforts will lead to synergies and help the company move toward sustainable improved profitability and cash flow generation.
Healthy Growth Dynamics
The acquisition of Level 3 Communications has increased CenturyLink's network by 200,000 route miles of fiber including 64,000 route miles in 350 metropolitan areas and 33,000 subsea route miles connecting multiple continents. The company’s on-net buildings are expected to increase about 75% to approximately 75,000, including 10,000 buildings in Europe, the Middle East and Africa and Latin America.
The company continues to focus on accelerating its operational efficiencies through a number of methods like network simplification and rationalization. It also aims to establish itself as a global leader in cloud infrastructure. CenturyLink has hosted IT solutions arena designed for enterprise customers.
CenturyLink’s strong network capabilities, integrated hosting and network solutions are likely to promote growth in the cloud business. Notably, the company sees its managed and cloud services as a key differentiator from other players in the market, which should boost its top line.
The company is investing in fiber-to-the-tower expansion and has expanded its fiber-based backhaul services. It expects its Managed Office and Managed Enterprise Solutions to continue gaining traction and drive revenue growth on the back of increasing demands from small and large business customers.
Further, CenturyLink’s broadband expansion goal will help it gain from the growing demand. The company has managed to enhance broadband speed with its continuous investments in network development.
Over the past three months, the stock has significantly outperformed the industry with an average return of 7.3% against a decline of 5% for the latter. Management believes that the company has ample business growth opportunities, which will help to drive long-term shareholder value.
Risks
CenturyLink continues to suffer from declining access lines and broadband subscriber losses. High long-term debts are likely to affect the company's operating margins, moving forward. Furthermore, stiff competition from cable TV operators and other wireless firms tend to reduce the company’s price control over products.
Zacks Rank & Stocks to Consider
Nevertheless, we remain impressed with the inherent growth potential of this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock.
BlackBerry has a healthy long-term earnings growth expectation of 18.6%. It topped earnings estimates twice in the trailing four quarters, with an average beat of 500%.
TIM has a solid long-term earnings growth expectation of 26.2%. It topped earnings estimates twice in the trailing four quarters, with an average beat of 25.5%.
SMC has a long-term earnings growth expectation of 13.7%.
Looking for Stocks with Skyrocketing Upside?
Zacks has just released a Special Report on the booming investment opportunities of legal marijuana.
Ignited by new referendums and legislation, this industry is expected to blast from an already robust $6.7 billion to $20.2 billion in 2021. Early investors stand to make a killing, but you have to be ready to act and know just where to look.
Image: Bigstock
CenturyLink Rides on Sales-Force Integration, Risks Remain
On May 21, we issued an updated research report on CenturyLink, Inc. .
The network provider is currently focusing on sales force integration and driving profitable revenue growth while improving customer experience. Such consistent integration efforts will lead to synergies and help the company move toward sustainable improved profitability and cash flow generation.
Healthy Growth Dynamics
The acquisition of Level 3 Communications has increased CenturyLink's network by 200,000 route miles of fiber including 64,000 route miles in 350 metropolitan areas and 33,000 subsea route miles connecting multiple continents. The company’s on-net buildings are expected to increase about 75% to approximately 75,000, including 10,000 buildings in Europe, the Middle East and Africa and Latin America.
The company continues to focus on accelerating its operational efficiencies through a number of methods like network simplification and rationalization. It also aims to establish itself as a global leader in cloud infrastructure. CenturyLink has hosted IT solutions arena designed for enterprise customers.
CenturyLink’s strong network capabilities, integrated hosting and network solutions are likely to promote growth in the cloud business. Notably, the company sees its managed and cloud services as a key differentiator from other players in the market, which should boost its top line.
The company is investing in fiber-to-the-tower expansion and has expanded its fiber-based backhaul services. It expects its Managed Office and Managed Enterprise Solutions to continue gaining traction and drive revenue growth on the back of increasing demands from small and large business customers.
Further, CenturyLink’s broadband expansion goal will help it gain from the growing demand. The company has managed to enhance broadband speed with its continuous investments in network development.
Over the past three months, the stock has significantly outperformed the industry with an average return of 7.3% against a decline of 5% for the latter. Management believes that the company has ample business growth opportunities, which will help to drive long-term shareholder value.
Risks
CenturyLink continues to suffer from declining access lines and broadband subscriber losses. High long-term debts are likely to affect the company's operating margins, moving forward. Furthermore, stiff competition from cable TV operators and other wireless firms tend to reduce the company’s price control over products.
Zacks Rank & Stocks to Consider
Nevertheless, we remain impressed with the inherent growth potential of this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock.
Better-ranked stocks in the broader industry include BlackBerry Limited (BB - Free Report) , TIM Participações S.A. and SMC Corporation (SMCAY - Free Report) . While BlackBerry and TIM sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), SMC carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
BlackBerry has a healthy long-term earnings growth expectation of 18.6%. It topped earnings estimates twice in the trailing four quarters, with an average beat of 500%.
TIM has a solid long-term earnings growth expectation of 26.2%. It topped earnings estimates twice in the trailing four quarters, with an average beat of 25.5%.
SMC has a long-term earnings growth expectation of 13.7%.
Looking for Stocks with Skyrocketing Upside?
Zacks has just released a Special Report on the booming investment opportunities of legal marijuana.
Ignited by new referendums and legislation, this industry is expected to blast from an already robust $6.7 billion to $20.2 billion in 2021. Early investors stand to make a killing, but you have to be ready to act and know just where to look.
See the pot trades we're targeting>>