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Telecom Stock Roundup: ERIC Q2 Earnings Excel, VSAT Boosts Cybersecurity & More
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The U.S. telecom stocks witnessed a spirited rally in the past week despite geopolitical tensions triggering intense sector volatility. Washington continued to pile up pressure on Beijing through prohibitive orders as the political slugfest for 5G supremacy in the backdrop dovetailed with the administrative efforts to set guardrails and legislation to safeguard domestic interests. The Sino-American technology warfare seemed to force the industry to get polarized into two distinct halves, bringing an element of uncertainty within the telecom sector. However, this apparently did not deter the uptrend as the government urged firms to explore developing indigenous 5G solutions or depend only on “trusted vendors” for 5G deployments.
Alleging human rights abuses, the Trump administration added 11 more China-based firms to the ‘Entity List’ that restrict their access to U.S. goods and technology. The trade restrictions were based on accusations of mass detentions, forced labor and other abuses against Muslim minorities in the northwestern region of Xinjiang. The U.S. government also imposed certain sanctions against four Chinese officials on these alleged atrocities. These, in turn, are likely to have a ripple effect on the telecom industry and further strain the acrimonious Sino-American relationship.
Amid waning trusts and growing divide, the Trump administration accused two Chinese hackers of cyber espionage who were allegedly stealing sensitive data on virus research for personal profit on behalf of the communist nation. The fraying relationship took another plunge when the U.S. government ordered the shutdown of China’s Houston consulate, citing the move as a necessary step for protecting intellectual property rights and data sovereignty. This has evoked a sharp response from China and could potentially lead to a flare-up with widespread ramifications.
Amid these events, deepening trade ties with countries like India have emerged as the silver lining as more and more U.S. firms continue to invest in Indian companies. The Trump administration has also been effusive in praise of the Indian juggernaut and urged domestic entities to follow their model for inculcating homegrown technologies for deploying 5G technology, while maintaining close business relationships with a core group of trusted vendors. With expectations of another round of coronavirus-related fiscal stimulus and a favorable earnings season, the industry appeared to shake off the negative vibes from the geopolitical crisis and scripted an upward trajectory.
Regarding company-specific news, strategic investments, modernization drives, business collaborations and product launches primarily took the center stage over the past five trading days.
Recap of the Week’s Most Important Stories
1. Ericsson (ERIC - Free Report) reported impressive second-quarter 2020 results, with the top and bottom lines beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate. The Sweden-based telecom equipment maker stated that the COVID-19 pandemic had a limited impact on its operating income and cash flow in the quarter.
Net income in the June-end quarter was SEK 2,585 million ($266.9 million) or SEK 0.74 (10 cents) per share compared with SEK 1,847 million or SEK 0.51 per share in the prior-year quarter. The bottom line beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 3 cents, delivering an earnings surprise of 42.9%. Quarterly net sales inched up 1.5% year over year to SEK 55,578 million ($5,737.7 million). The top line surpassed the consensus mark of $5,587 million.
2. Viasat, Inc. (VSAT - Free Report) recently announced that its U.K. counterpart joined forces with a leading cybersecurity solutions provider — Cyber1st — to reinforce crypto capabilities and deploy reliable communications services to the government for a seamless network infrastructure.
Apart from catering to the security demands of commercial customers, the collaboration will exclusively deliver avant-garde data and voice services to the U.K. Ministry of Defence (MOD). The deal will not only help Viasat expand its geographical footprint but also enable it to enhance its crypto-growth capabilities amid an evolving cyber threat scenario.
Markedly, SDRPG will use Qualcomm’s C-V2X solutions to offer automakers the best-in-class autonomous driving features. The C-V2X is an avant-garde communication technology, which includes vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P), vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-roadside infrastructure (V2I).
Enterprise customers will now have the option to deploy Nokia’s Digital Automation Cloud or customize their network with Nokia’s Modular Private Wireless. Furthermore, Nokia announced enhancements to its LTE portfolio of solutions. Importantly, LTE handles more than 85% of industrial applications.
5. Ciena Corporation (CIEN - Free Report) was selected by Spark, a New Zealand-based telecommunications company, to provide hardware, software and services to build its Optical Transport Network (OTN 2).
Importantly, it will increase the data capacity of Spark’s network by up to eight times and support 5G services. With Ciena’s WaveLogic 5, advanced network automation and intelligent restoration capabilities, Spark will be able to support its 5G and IoT services. The first part of the new OTN 2 fiber network was installed between Glenfield and Papakura in Auckland.
Price Performance
The following table shows the price movement of some of the major telecom stocks over the past week and the six months.
In the past five trading days, Arista Networks has been the best performer with its stock rising 8%, while none of the stocks declined.
Over the past six months, T-Mobile has been the best performer with its stock appreciating 21.7%, while CenturyLink was the biggest decliner with its stock falling 51.2%.
Over the past six months, the Zacks Telecommunications Services industry declined 10.9%, while the S&P 500 recorded average loss of 0.8%.
What’s Next in the Telecom Space?
In addition to product launches, deals and 5G deployments, all eyes will remain glued to how the administration attempts to devise pre-emptive steps to thwart China from data intrusion and safeguard the interests of domestic firms.
The Hottest Tech Mega-Trend of All
Last year, it generated $24 billion in global revenues. By 2020, it's predicted to blast through the roof to $77.6 billion. Famed investor Mark Cuban says it will produce "the world's first trillionaires," but that should still leave plenty of money for regular investors who make the right trades early.
Image: Bigstock
Telecom Stock Roundup: ERIC Q2 Earnings Excel, VSAT Boosts Cybersecurity & More
The U.S. telecom stocks witnessed a spirited rally in the past week despite geopolitical tensions triggering intense sector volatility. Washington continued to pile up pressure on Beijing through prohibitive orders as the political slugfest for 5G supremacy in the backdrop dovetailed with the administrative efforts to set guardrails and legislation to safeguard domestic interests. The Sino-American technology warfare seemed to force the industry to get polarized into two distinct halves, bringing an element of uncertainty within the telecom sector. However, this apparently did not deter the uptrend as the government urged firms to explore developing indigenous 5G solutions or depend only on “trusted vendors” for 5G deployments.
Alleging human rights abuses, the Trump administration added 11 more China-based firms to the ‘Entity List’ that restrict their access to U.S. goods and technology. The trade restrictions were based on accusations of mass detentions, forced labor and other abuses against Muslim minorities in the northwestern region of Xinjiang. The U.S. government also imposed certain sanctions against four Chinese officials on these alleged atrocities. These, in turn, are likely to have a ripple effect on the telecom industry and further strain the acrimonious Sino-American relationship.
Amid waning trusts and growing divide, the Trump administration accused two Chinese hackers of cyber espionage who were allegedly stealing sensitive data on virus research for personal profit on behalf of the communist nation. The fraying relationship took another plunge when the U.S. government ordered the shutdown of China’s Houston consulate, citing the move as a necessary step for protecting intellectual property rights and data sovereignty. This has evoked a sharp response from China and could potentially lead to a flare-up with widespread ramifications.
Amid these events, deepening trade ties with countries like India have emerged as the silver lining as more and more U.S. firms continue to invest in Indian companies. The Trump administration has also been effusive in praise of the Indian juggernaut and urged domestic entities to follow their model for inculcating homegrown technologies for deploying 5G technology, while maintaining close business relationships with a core group of trusted vendors. With expectations of another round of coronavirus-related fiscal stimulus and a favorable earnings season, the industry appeared to shake off the negative vibes from the geopolitical crisis and scripted an upward trajectory.
Regarding company-specific news, strategic investments, modernization drives, business collaborations and product launches primarily took the center stage over the past five trading days.
Recap of the Week’s Most Important Stories
1. Ericsson (ERIC - Free Report) reported impressive second-quarter 2020 results, with the top and bottom lines beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate. The Sweden-based telecom equipment maker stated that the COVID-19 pandemic had a limited impact on its operating income and cash flow in the quarter.
Net income in the June-end quarter was SEK 2,585 million ($266.9 million) or SEK 0.74 (10 cents) per share compared with SEK 1,847 million or SEK 0.51 per share in the prior-year quarter. The bottom line beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 3 cents, delivering an earnings surprise of 42.9%. Quarterly net sales inched up 1.5% year over year to SEK 55,578 million ($5,737.7 million). The top line surpassed the consensus mark of $5,587 million.
2. Viasat, Inc. (VSAT - Free Report) recently announced that its U.K. counterpart joined forces with a leading cybersecurity solutions provider — Cyber1st — to reinforce crypto capabilities and deploy reliable communications services to the government for a seamless network infrastructure.
Apart from catering to the security demands of commercial customers, the collaboration will exclusively deliver avant-garde data and voice services to the U.K. Ministry of Defence (MOD). The deal will not only help Viasat expand its geographical footprint but also enable it to enhance its crypto-growth capabilities amid an evolving cyber threat scenario.
3. Qualcomm Incorporated (QCOM - Free Report) has joined forces with San Diego Regional Proving Ground (“SDRPG”) to commence an autonomous vehicle communications research and testing program to promote vehicle safety on the roads of San Diego, CA.
Markedly, SDRPG will use Qualcomm’s C-V2X solutions to offer automakers the best-in-class autonomous driving features. The C-V2X is an avant-garde communication technology, which includes vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P), vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-roadside infrastructure (V2I).
4. Nokia Corporation (NOK - Free Report) recently announced the commercial availability of a new 5G standalone industrial-grade private wireless networking solution for enterprises.
Enterprise customers will now have the option to deploy Nokia’s Digital Automation Cloud or customize their network with Nokia’s Modular Private Wireless. Furthermore, Nokia announced enhancements to its LTE portfolio of solutions. Importantly, LTE handles more than 85% of industrial applications.
5. Ciena Corporation (CIEN - Free Report) was selected by Spark, a New Zealand-based telecommunications company, to provide hardware, software and services to build its Optical Transport Network (OTN 2).
Importantly, it will increase the data capacity of Spark’s network by up to eight times and support 5G services. With Ciena’s WaveLogic 5, advanced network automation and intelligent restoration capabilities, Spark will be able to support its 5G and IoT services. The first part of the new OTN 2 fiber network was installed between Glenfield and Papakura in Auckland.
Price Performance
The following table shows the price movement of some of the major telecom stocks over the past week and the six months.
In the past five trading days, Arista Networks has been the best performer with its stock rising 8%, while none of the stocks declined.
Over the past six months, T-Mobile has been the best performer with its stock appreciating 21.7%, while CenturyLink was the biggest decliner with its stock falling 51.2%.
Over the past six months, the Zacks Telecommunications Services industry declined 10.9%, while the S&P 500 recorded average loss of 0.8%.
What’s Next in the Telecom Space?
In addition to product launches, deals and 5G deployments, all eyes will remain glued to how the administration attempts to devise pre-emptive steps to thwart China from data intrusion and safeguard the interests of domestic firms.
The Hottest Tech Mega-Trend of All
Last year, it generated $24 billion in global revenues. By 2020, it's predicted to blast through the roof to $77.6 billion. Famed investor Mark Cuban says it will produce "the world's first trillionaires," but that should still leave plenty of money for regular investors who make the right trades early.
See Zacks' 3 Best Stocks to Play This Trend >>