Optimum Communications (ATUS)
Market Price (11/19/2025): $1.8 | Market Cap: $843.6 MilSector: Communication Services | Industry: Integrated Telecommunication Services
Optimum Communications (ATUS)
Market Price (11/19/2025): $1.8Market Cap: $843.6 MilSector: Communication ServicesIndustry: Integrated Telecommunication Services
Investment Highlights
Why It Matters
Which of these 2 stories sounds closer for this stock?
1. Generates cash flow
The stock generated 4% or more of the share price (called cash flow yield), and shows moderate 10-15% or more growth.
2. Riding a trend
Think Tesla during the pandemic of 2020 when EVs were riding a cultural high, or Nvidia in the current AI boom, or even Figma. These companies don’t have enough yield, or, enough growth, or both - however - they are riding a trend. They have momentum. These can be more volatile - they don’t have the floor of strong cash flow
| Attractive cash flow generationCFO/Rev LTMCash Flow from Operations / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 14% | Weak multi-year price returns2Y Excs Rtn is -66%, 3Y Excs Rtn is -131% | Debt is significantNet D/ENet Debt/Equity. Debt net of cash. Negative indicates net cash. Equity is taken as the Market Capitalization is 3046% |
| Megatrend and thematic driversMegatrends include 5G & Advanced Connectivity. Themes include Wireless Services, and Telecom Infrastructure. | Weak revenue growthRev Chg LTMRevenue Change % Last Twelve Months (LTM) is -4.2%, Rev Chg 3Y AvgRevenue Change % averaged over trailing 3 years is -4.1%, Rev Chg QQuarterly Revenue Change % is -5.4% | |
| Not cash flow generativeFCF/Rev LTMFree Cash Flow / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is -3.1% | ||
| Yield minus risk free rate is negativeERPEquity Risk Premium (ERP) = Total Yield - Risk Free Rate, Reflects the premium above risk free assets offered by the investment. is -225% |
| Attractive cash flow generationCFO/Rev LTMCash Flow from Operations / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 14% |
| Megatrend and thematic driversMegatrends include 5G & Advanced Connectivity. Themes include Wireless Services, and Telecom Infrastructure. |
| Weak multi-year price returns2Y Excs Rtn is -66%, 3Y Excs Rtn is -131% |
| Debt is significantNet D/ENet Debt/Equity. Debt net of cash. Negative indicates net cash. Equity is taken as the Market Capitalization is 3046% |
| Weak revenue growthRev Chg LTMRevenue Change % Last Twelve Months (LTM) is -4.2%, Rev Chg 3Y AvgRevenue Change % averaged over trailing 3 years is -4.1%, Rev Chg QQuarterly Revenue Change % is -5.4% |
| Not cash flow generativeFCF/Rev LTMFree Cash Flow / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is -3.1% |
| Yield minus risk free rate is negativeERPEquity Risk Premium (ERP) = Total Yield - Risk Free Rate, Reflects the premium above risk free assets offered by the investment. is -225% |
Market Valuation & Key Metrics
ATUS Stock
Why The Stock Moved
Qualitative Assessment
AI Generated Analysis | Feedback
The stock of Optimum Communications (formerly Altice USA, symbol: ATUS) experienced a significant decline of approximately -31.2% between July 31, 2025, and November 19, 2025. This downturn can be attributed to several key factors.
1. Disappointing Q3 2025 Financial Results: Optimum Communications (then Altice USA) reported a substantial net loss of $1.62 billion for the third quarter ended September 30, 2025, a significant increase from a loss of $42.97 million in the prior year. The company's sales also decreased to $2.11 billion from $2.23 billion a year ago. Basic loss per share from continuing operations was $3.47, compared to $0.09 a year ago. These results fell short of analyst expectations for both revenue and earnings.
2. Broadening Net Loss and Revenue Decline: For the nine months ended September 30, 2025, the company's net loss widened to $1.79 billion, compared to $48.8 million in the same period last year. Sales for the nine months also declined to $6.41 billion from $6.72 billion a year ago. This sustained decline in financial performance contributed to investor concerns.
Stock Movement Drivers
Return vs. Risk
Price Returns Compared
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Total [1] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Returns | |||||||
| ATUS Return | 39% | -57% | -72% | -29% | -26% | -26% | -93% |
| Peers Return | -10% | 12% | -9% | -13% | -14% | 21% | -17% |
| S&P 500 Return | 16% | 27% | -19% | 24% | 23% | 13% | 105% |
Monthly Win Rates [3] | |||||||
| ATUS Win Rate | 58% | 17% | 42% | 50% | 33% | 40% | |
| Peers Win Rate | 30% | 37% | 18% | 25% | 30% | 59% | |
| S&P 500 Win Rate | 58% | 75% | 42% | 67% | 75% | 70% | |
Max Drawdowns [4] | |||||||
| ATUS Max Drawdown | -37% | -61% | -77% | -59% | -52% | -26% | |
| Peers Max Drawdown | -34% | -5% | -16% | -25% | -24% | -10% | |
| S&P 500 Max Drawdown | -31% | -1% | -25% | -1% | -2% | -15% | |
[1] Cumulative total returns since the beginning of 2020
[2] Peers: SBGI, SCHL, GTN, GLIBA, GLIBK. See ATUS Returns vs. Peers.
[3] Win Rate = % of calendar months in which monthly returns were positive
[4] Max drawdown represents maximum peak-to-trough decline within a year
[5] 2025 data is for the year up to 11/18/2025 (YTD)
How Low Can It Go
| Event | ATUS | S&P 500 |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 Inflation Shock | ||
| % Loss | -95.0% | -25.4% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 1914.4% | 34.1% |
| Time to Breakeven | Not Fully Recovered days | 464 days |
| 2020 Covid Pandemic | ||
| % Loss | -41.8% | -33.9% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 71.8% | 51.3% |
| Time to Breakeven | 239 days | 148 days |
| 2018 Correction | ||
| % Loss | -57.4% | -19.8% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 134.8% | 24.7% |
| Time to Breakeven | 756 days | 120 days |
Compare to SBGI, SCHL, GTN, GLIBA, GLIBK
In The Past
Optimum Communications's stock fell -95.0% during the 2022 Inflation Shock from a high on 1/1/2021. A -95.0% loss requires a 1914.4% gain to breakeven.
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Asset Allocation
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Latest Trefis Analyses
| Title | |
|---|---|
| ARTICLES |
Trade Ideas
Select past ideas related to ATUS. For more, see Trefis Trade Ideas.
| Date | Ticker | Company | Category | Trade Strategy | 6M Fwd Rtn | 12M Fwd Rtn | 12M Max DD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10032025 | TTD | Trade Desk | Dip Buy | DB | CFO/Rev | Low D/EDip Buy with High Cash Flow MarginsBuying dips for companies with significant cash flows from operations and reasonable debt / market cap | -22.0% | -22.0% | -22.0% |
| 10032025 | CABO | Cable One | Special | Short Squeeze PotentialShort Squeeze PotentialHas potential for a short squeeze. High short interest, rising short interest and high debt. | -40.0% | -40.0% | -40.0% |
| 09122025 | DV | DoubleVerify | Dip Buy | DB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High MarginBuying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin | -21.4% | -21.4% | -27.9% |
| 07312025 | CMCSA | Comcast | Monopoly | MY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S DeclineLarge cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple | -17.2% | -17.2% | -17.9% |
| 05312025 | PINS | Monopoly | MY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S DeclineLarge cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple | -18.0% | -18.0% | -18.0% |
| Date | Ticker | Company | Category | Trade Strategy | 6M Fwd Rtn | 12M Fwd Rtn | 12M Max DD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10032025 | TTD | Trade Desk | Dip Buy | DB | CFO/Rev | Low D/EDip Buy with High Cash Flow MarginsBuying dips for companies with significant cash flows from operations and reasonable debt / market cap | -22.0% | -22.0% | -22.0% |
| 10032025 | CABO | Cable One | Special | Short Squeeze PotentialShort Squeeze PotentialHas potential for a short squeeze. High short interest, rising short interest and high debt. | -40.0% | -40.0% | -40.0% |
| 09122025 | DV | DoubleVerify | Dip Buy | DB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High MarginBuying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin | -21.4% | -21.4% | -27.9% |
| 07312025 | CMCSA | Comcast | Monopoly | MY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S DeclineLarge cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple | -17.2% | -17.2% | -17.9% |
| 05312025 | PINS | Monopoly | MY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S DeclineLarge cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple | -18.0% | -18.0% | -18.0% |
Research & Analysis
Invest in Strategies
Wealth Management
Peer Comparisons for Optimum Communications
Financials
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| Mkt Price | 22.50 |
| Mkt Cap | 0.9 |
| Rev LTM | 2,475 |
| Op Inc LTM | 254 |
| FCF LTM | 119 |
| FCF 3Y Avg | 123 |
| CFO LTM | 357 |
| CFO 3Y Avg | 429 |
Growth & Margins
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| Rev Chg LTM | -2.2% |
| Rev Chg 3Y Avg | -2.4% |
| Rev Chg Q | -5.1% |
| QoQ Delta Rev Chg LTM | -1.3% |
| Op Mgn LTM | 18.0% |
| Op Mgn 3Y Avg | 12.2% |
| QoQ Delta Op Mgn LTM | -0.3% |
| CFO/Rev LTM | 15.0% |
| CFO/Rev 3Y Avg | 12.7% |
| FCF/Rev LTM | 9.4% |
| FCF/Rev 3Y Avg | 5.0% |
Valuation
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| Mkt Cap | 0.9 |
| P/S | 0.4 |
| P/EBIT | -1.1 |
| P/E | -3.2 |
| P/CFO | 2.8 |
| Total Yield | -14.8% |
| Dividend Yield | 1.5% |
| FCF Yield 3Y Avg | 15.0% |
| D/E | 2.4 |
| Net D/E | 2.1 |
Returns
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| 1M Rtn | -3.0% |
| 3M Rtn | -5.5% |
| 6M Rtn | 20.2% |
| 12M Rtn | 14.0% |
| 3Y Rtn | -36.9% |
| 1M Excs Rtn | -2.0% |
| 3M Excs Rtn | -9.9% |
| 6M Excs Rtn | 8.8% |
| 12M Excs Rtn | -3.0% |
| 3Y Excs Rtn | -101.3% |
Comparison Analyses
Segment Financials
Revenue by Segment
| $ Mil | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broadband, video, telephony and mobile services to residential and business customers, as well as | 9,237 | ||||
| Broadband | 3,931 | 3,925 | 3,689 | 3,223 | |
| Business services and wholesale | 1,474 | 1,586 | 1,455 | 1,429 | |
| Mobile | 62 | 84 | 78 | 21 | |
| News and advertising | 520 | 551 | 519 | 476 | |
| Other | 47 | 14 | 14 | 16 | |
| Telephony | 332 | 405 | 469 | 599 | |
| Video | 3,281 | 3,526 | 3,671 | 3,998 | |
| Total | 9,237 | 9,648 | 10,091 | 9,895 | 9,761 |
Returns Analyses
Earnings Returns History
Expand for More| Forward Returns | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Earnings Date | 1D Returns | 5D Returns | 21D Returns |
| 11/6/2025 | -3.7% | -8.8% | |
| 8/7/2025 | -8.4% | -3.8% | -6.3% |
| 5/8/2025 | 4.5% | 5.7% | -15.1% |
| 2/13/2025 | 0.7% | 2.2% | -7.0% |
| 11/4/2024 | -2.3% | 3.9% | -3.9% |
| 8/1/2024 | -10.0% | -23.9% | -11.0% |
| 5/2/2024 | 1.0% | 0.5% | 22.2% |
| 2/14/2024 | 0.9% | -13.4% | 23.6% |
| ... | |||
| SUMMARY STATS | |||
| # Positive | 12 | 12 | 8 |
| # Negative | 12 | 12 | 16 |
| Median Positive | 4.1% | 4.6% | 13.0% |
| Median Negative | -8.4% | -12.4% | -15.1% |
| Max Positive | 21.5% | 13.2% | 28.5% |
| Max Negative | -29.1% | -28.8% | -38.5% |
SEC Filings
Expand for More| Report Date | Filing Date | Filing |
|---|---|---|
| 9302025 | 11062025 | 10-Q 9/30/2025 |
| 6302025 | 8072025 | 10-Q 6/30/2025 |
| 3312025 | 5082025 | 10-Q 3/31/2025 |
| 12312024 | 2132025 | 10-K 12/31/2024 |
| 9302024 | 11052024 | 10-Q 9/30/2024 |
| 6302024 | 8012024 | 10-Q 6/30/2024 |
| 3312024 | 5022024 | 10-Q 3/31/2024 |
| 12312023 | 2152024 | 10-K 12/31/2023 |
| 9302023 | 11012023 | 10-Q 9/30/2023 |
| 6302023 | 8032023 | 10-Q 6/30/2023 |
| 3312023 | 5032023 | 10-Q 3/31/2023 |
| 12312022 | 2232023 | 10-K 12/31/2022 |
| 9302022 | 11022022 | 10-Q 9/30/2022 |
| 6302022 | 8042022 | 10-Q 6/30/2022 |
| 3312022 | 4282022 | 10-Q 3/31/2022 |
| 12312021 | 2162022 | 10-K 12/31/2021 |
External Quote Links
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| YCharts | Perplexity Finance |
| FinViz |