Tearsheet

Optimum Communications (ATUS)


Market Price (11/19/2025): $1.8 | Market Cap: $843.6 Mil
Sector: Communication Services | Industry: Integrated Telecommunication Services

Optimum Communications (ATUS)


Market Price (11/19/2025): $1.8
Market Cap: $843.6 Mil
Sector: Communication Services
Industry: 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


0 Attractive cash flow generation
CFO/Rev LTMCash Flow from Operations / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 14%
Weak multi-year price returns
2Y Excs Rtn is -66%, 3Y Excs Rtn is -131%
Debt is significant
Net D/ENet Debt/Equity. Debt net of cash. Negative indicates net cash. Equity is taken as the Market Capitalization is 3046%
1 Megatrend and thematic drivers
Megatrends include 5G & Advanced Connectivity. Themes include Wireless Services, and Telecom Infrastructure.
  Weak revenue growth
Rev 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%
2   Not cash flow generative
FCF/Rev LTMFree Cash Flow / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is -3.1%
3   Yield minus risk free rate is negative
ERPEquity Risk Premium (ERP) = Total Yield - Risk Free Rate, Reflects the premium above risk free assets offered by the investment. is -225%
0 Attractive cash flow generation
CFO/Rev LTMCash Flow from Operations / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 14%
1 Megatrend and thematic drivers
Megatrends include 5G & Advanced Connectivity. Themes include Wireless Services, and Telecom Infrastructure.
2 Weak multi-year price returns
2Y Excs Rtn is -66%, 3Y Excs Rtn is -131%
3 Debt is significant
Net D/ENet Debt/Equity. Debt net of cash. Negative indicates net cash. Equity is taken as the Market Capitalization is 3046%
4 Weak revenue growth
Rev 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%
5 Not cash flow generative
FCF/Rev LTMFree Cash Flow / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is -3.1%
6 Yield minus risk free rate is negative
ERPEquity 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.

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Stock Movement Drivers

Return vs. Risk


Price Returns Compared

 202020212022202320242025Total [1]
Returns
ATUS Return39%-57%-72%-29%-26%-26%-93%
Peers Return-10%12%-9%-13%-14%21%-17%
S&P 500 Return16%27%-19%24%23%13%105%

Monthly Win Rates [3]
ATUS Win Rate58%17%42%50%33%40% 
Peers Win Rate30%37%18%25%30%59% 
S&P 500 Win Rate58%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

Unique KeyEventATUSS&P 500
2022 Inflation Shock2022 Inflation Shock  
2022 Inflation Shock% Loss% Loss-95.0%-25.4%
2022 Inflation Shock% Gain to Breakeven% Gain to Breakeven1914.4%34.1%
2022 Inflation ShockTime to BreakevenTime to BreakevenNot Fully Recovered days464 days
2020 Covid Pandemic2020 Covid Pandemic  
2020 Covid Pandemic% Loss% Loss-41.8%-33.9%
2020 Covid Pandemic% Gain to Breakeven% Gain to Breakeven71.8%51.3%
2020 Covid PandemicTime to BreakevenTime to Breakeven239 days148 days
2018 Correction2018 Correction  
2018 Correction% Loss% Loss-57.4%-19.8%
2018 Correction% Gain to Breakeven% Gain to Breakeven134.8%24.7%
2018 CorrectionTime to BreakevenTime to Breakeven756 days120 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.

Preserve Wealth

Limiting losses and compounding gains is essential to preserving wealth over time.

Asset Allocation

Actively managed asset allocation strategies protect wealth. Learn more.

About Optimum Communications (ATUS)

Better Bets than Optimum Communications (ATUS)

Trade Ideas

Select past ideas related to ATUS. For more, see Trefis Trade Ideas.

Unique KeyDateTickerCompanyCategoryTrade Strategy6M Fwd Rtn12M Fwd Rtn12M Max DD
TTD_10032025_Dip_Buyer_High_CFO_Margins_ExInd_DE10032025TTDTrade DeskDip BuyDB | CFO/Rev | Low D/EDip Buy with High Cash Flow Margins
Buying dips for companies with significant cash flows from operations and reasonable debt / market cap
-22.0%-22.0%-22.0%
CABO_10032025_Short_Squeeze10032025CABOCable OneSpecialShort Squeeze PotentialShort Squeeze Potential
Has potential for a short squeeze. High short interest, rising short interest and high debt.
-40.0%-40.0%-40.0%
DV_9122025_Dip_Buyer_FCFYield09122025DVDoubleVerifyDip BuyDB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin
-21.4%-21.4%-27.9%
CMCSA_7312025_Monopoly_xInd_xCD_Getting_Cheaper07312025CMCSAComcastMonopolyMY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S Decline
Large cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple
-17.2%-17.2%-17.9%
PINS_5312025_Monopoly_xInd_xCD_Getting_Cheaper05312025PINSPinterestMonopolyMY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S Decline
Large cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple
-18.0%-18.0%-18.0%
Unique KeyDateTickerCompanyCategoryTrade Strategy6M Fwd Rtn12M Fwd Rtn12M Max DD
TTD_10032025_Dip_Buyer_High_CFO_Margins_ExInd_DE10032025TTDTrade DeskDip BuyDB | CFO/Rev | Low D/EDip Buy with High Cash Flow Margins
Buying dips for companies with significant cash flows from operations and reasonable debt / market cap
-22.0%-22.0%-22.0%
CABO_10032025_Short_Squeeze10032025CABOCable OneSpecialShort Squeeze PotentialShort Squeeze Potential
Has potential for a short squeeze. High short interest, rising short interest and high debt.
-40.0%-40.0%-40.0%
DV_9122025_Dip_Buyer_FCFYield09122025DVDoubleVerifyDip BuyDB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin
-21.4%-21.4%-27.9%
CMCSA_7312025_Monopoly_xInd_xCD_Getting_Cheaper07312025CMCSAComcastMonopolyMY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S Decline
Large cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple
-17.2%-17.2%-17.9%
PINS_5312025_Monopoly_xInd_xCD_Getting_Cheaper05312025PINSPinterestMonopolyMY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S Decline
Large cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple
-18.0%-18.0%-18.0%

Recent Active Movers

Recent Active Movers

More From Trefis

Peer Comparisons for Optimum Communications

Financials

ATUSSBGISCHLGTNGLIBAGLIBKMedian
NameOptimum .Sinclair Scholast.Gray Med.GCI Libe.GCI Libe. 
Mkt Price1.7916.6128.404.8133.9734.0822.50
Mkt Cap0.81.20.70.51.01.00.9
Rev LTM8,6433,3371,6143,3489579572,475
Op Inc LTM1,49533116625178178254
FCF LTM-26821142440119119119
FCF 3Y Avg-4316878372--123
CFO LTM1,18728984545357357357
CFO 3Y Avg1,539255135603--429

Growth & Margins

ATUSSBGISCHLGTNGLIBAGLIBKMedian
NameOptimum .Sinclair Scholast.Gray Med.GCI Libe.GCI Libe. 
Rev Chg LTM-4.2%-1.0%1.0%-3.3%---2.2%
Rev Chg 3Y Avg-4.1%-8.1%-0.6%0.3%---2.4%
Rev Chg Q-5.4%-15.7%-4.9%-21.2%-4.5%-4.5%-5.1%
QoQ Delta Rev Chg LTM-1.4%-4.1%-0.7%-5.7%-1.1%-1.1%-1.3%
Op Mgn LTM17.3%9.9%1.0%18.7%18.6%18.6%18.0%
Op Mgn 3Y Avg19.2%5.2%2.4%19.2%--12.2%
QoQ Delta Op Mgn LTM-0.4%-3.7%-0.2%-3.6%-0.2%-0.2%-0.3%
CFO/Rev LTM13.7%8.7%5.2%16.3%37.3%37.3%15.0%
CFO/Rev 3Y Avg17.0%7.7%8.3%17.5%--12.7%
FCF/Rev LTM-3.1%6.3%2.6%13.1%12.4%12.4%9.4%
FCF/Rev 3Y Avg-0.5%5.1%4.8%10.9%--5.0%

Valuation

ATUSSBGISCHLGTNGLIBAGLIBKMedian
NameOptimum .Sinclair Scholast.Gray Med.GCI Libe.GCI Libe. 
Mkt Cap0.81.20.70.51.01.00.9
P/S0.10.30.40.11.01.00.4
P/EBIT-4.93.551.10.8-2.9-2.9-1.1
P/E-0.5-25.7-68.25.0-3.2-3.2-3.2
P/CFO0.74.08.50.92.82.82.8
Total Yield-220.8%2.1%1.6%27.0%-31.4%-31.3%-14.8%
Dividend Yield0.0%6.0%3.1%6.9%0.0%0.0%1.5%
FCF Yield 3Y Avg-2.7%21.7%8.4%65.3%--15.0%
D/E31.63.70.612.21.11.12.4
Net D/E30.53.20.511.80.90.92.1

Returns

ATUSSBGISCHLGTNGLIBAGLIBKMedian
NameOptimum .Sinclair Scholast.Gray Med.GCI Libe.GCI Libe. 
1M Rtn-25.4%30.5%0.6%3.0%-7.0%-6.7%-3.0%
3M Rtn-23.5%24.2%14.3%-14.7%-5.8%-5.1%-5.5%
6M Rtn-26.3%16.9%59.8%23.5%--20.2%
12M Rtn-24.5%11.4%18.3%16.7%--14.0%
3Y Rtn-57.7%-25.5%-23.0%-48.4%---36.9%
1M Excs Rtn-24.0%31.3%0.6%2.2%-4.6%-4.5%-2.0%
3M Excs Rtn-22.1%19.5%10.6%-18.8%-10.5%-9.2%-9.9%
6M Excs Rtn-37.7%5.5%48.4%12.1%--8.8%
12M Excs Rtn-42.6%-2.8%4.6%-3.1%---3.0%
3Y Excs Rtn-131.4%-91.2%-87.8%-111.3%---101.3%

Financials

Segment Financials

Revenue by Segment

$ Mil20242023202220212020
Broadband, video, telephony and mobile services to residential and business customers, as well as9,237    
Broadband 3,9313,9253,6893,223
Business services and wholesale 1,4741,5861,4551,429
Mobile 62847821
News and advertising 520551519476
Other 47141416
Telephony 332405469599
Video 3,2813,5263,6713,998
Total9,2379,64810,0919,8959,761


Price Behavior

Short Interest

Short Interest: As Of Date10312025
Short Interest: Shares Quantity32,244,176
Short Interest: % Change Since 101520253.4%
Average Daily Volume3,454,752
Days-to-Cover Short Interest9.33
Basic Shares Quantity468,676,000
Short % of Basic Shares6.9%

Earnings Returns History

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 Forward Returns
Earnings Date1D Returns5D Returns21D Returns
11/6/2025-3.7%-8.8% 
8/7/2025-8.4%-3.8%-6.3%
5/8/20254.5%5.7%-15.1%
2/13/20250.7%2.2%-7.0%
11/4/2024-2.3%3.9%-3.9%
8/1/2024-10.0%-23.9%-11.0%
5/2/20241.0%0.5%22.2%
2/14/20240.9%-13.4%23.6%
...
SUMMARY STATS   
# Positive12128
# Negative121216
Median Positive4.1%4.6%13.0%
Median Negative-8.4%-12.4%-15.1%
Max Positive21.5%13.2%28.5%
Max Negative-29.1%-28.8%-38.5%

SEC Filings

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Report DateFiling DateFiling
93020251106202510-Q 9/30/2025
6302025807202510-Q 6/30/2025
3312025508202510-Q 3/31/2025
12312024213202510-K 12/31/2024
93020241105202410-Q 9/30/2024
6302024801202410-Q 6/30/2024
3312024502202410-Q 3/31/2024
12312023215202410-K 12/31/2023
93020231101202310-Q 9/30/2023
6302023803202310-Q 6/30/2023
3312023503202310-Q 3/31/2023
12312022223202310-K 12/31/2022
93020221102202210-Q 9/30/2022
6302022804202210-Q 6/30/2022
3312022428202210-Q 3/31/2022
12312021216202210-K 12/31/2021

Insider Activity

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