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CenturyLink (CTL) Stock Moves -0.06%: What You Should Know

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CenturyLink closed the most recent trading day at $17.47, moving -0.06% from the previous trading session. This change was narrower than the S&P 500's 2.33% loss on the day. Elsewhere, the Dow lost 2.24%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq lost 3.05%.

Coming into today, shares of the communications company had lost 17.08% in the past month. In that same time, the Computer and Technology sector lost 2%, while the S&P 500 lost 1.93%.

Investors will be hoping for strength from CTL as it approaches its next earnings release, which is expected to be February 13, 2019. On that day, CTL is projected to report earnings of $0.36 per share, which would represent year-over-year growth of 100%. Meanwhile, our latest consensus estimate is calling for revenue of $5.80 billion, up 8.9% from the prior-year quarter.

Looking at the full year, our Zacks Consensus Estimates suggest analysts are expecting earnings of $1.13 per share and revenue of $23.46 billion. These totals would mark changes of -23.13% and +32.85%, respectively, from last year.

Investors might also notice recent changes to analyst estimates for CTL. These revisions typically reflect the latest short-term business trends, which can change frequently. With this in mind, we can consider positive estimate revisions a sign of optimism about the company's business outlook.

Our research shows that these estimate changes are directly correlated with near-term stock prices. We developed the Zacks Rank to capitalize on this phenomenon. Our system takes these estimate changes into account and delivers a clear, actionable rating model.

The Zacks Rank system, which ranges from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive outside-audited track record of outperformance, with #1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the past month, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has moved 7.04% higher. CTL is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy).

Looking at its valuation, CTL is holding a Forward P/E ratio of 15.41. This valuation marks a discount compared to its industry's average Forward P/E of 33.76.

The Wireless National industry is part of the Computer and Technology sector. This group has a Zacks Industry Rank of 47, putting it in the top 18% of all 250+ industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank gauges the strength of our individual industry groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

To follow CTL in the coming trading sessions, be sure to utilize Zacks.com.

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