Optimum Communications (OPTU)
Market Price (12/18/2025): $1.735 | Market Cap: $813.2 MilSector: Communication Services | Industry: Integrated Telecommunication Services
Optimum Communications (OPTU)
Market Price (12/18/2025): $1.735Market Cap: $813.2 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 -60%, 3Y Excs Rtn is -126% | Debt is significantNet D/ENet Debt/Equity. Debt net of cash. Negative indicates net cash. Equity is taken as the Market Capitalization is 2262% |
| Megatrend and thematic driversMegatrends include 5G & Advanced Connectivity. Themes include Telecom Infrastructure, and Wireless Services. | 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 -168% | ||
| Key risksOPTU key risks include [1] a high debt burden of over $26 billion that impacts its financial flexibility and [2] an antitrust lawsuit against its own creditors, Show more. |
| 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 Telecom Infrastructure, and Wireless Services. |
| Weak multi-year price returns2Y Excs Rtn is -60%, 3Y Excs Rtn is -126% |
| Debt is significantNet D/ENet Debt/Equity. Debt net of cash. Negative indicates net cash. Equity is taken as the Market Capitalization is 2262% |
| 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 -168% |
| Key risksOPTU key risks include [1] a high debt burden of over $26 billion that impacts its financial flexibility and [2] an antitrust lawsuit against its own creditors, Show more. |
Valuation, Metrics & Events
OPTU Stock
Why The Stock Moved
Qualitative Assessment
AI Generated Analysis | Feedback
Here are five key points explaining the -25.6% stock movement for Optimum Communications (OPTU) during the approximate time period from August 31, 2025, to December 18, 2025:
1. Weak Third Quarter 2025 Financial Results.
Optimum Communications, Inc., which was formerly known as Altice USA, reported weak financial and operating results for the third quarter of 2025 on November 6, 2025. This announcement served as a significant negative catalyst for the stock.
2. Declining Customer Metrics, Revenue, and EBITDA.
The company's third-quarter earnings report specifically highlighted a decline in key operating metrics, including weak customer numbers, a 5% decrease in revenue, and a 3% reduction in EBITDA. These figures indicated ongoing operational challenges.
Stock Movement Drivers
Return vs. Risk
Price Returns Compared
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Total [1] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Returns | |||||||
| OPTU Return | 39% | -57% | -72% | -29% | -26% | -25% | -93% |
| Peers Return | 22% | -7% | -14% | 12% | 15% | -9% | 13% |
| S&P 500 Return | 16% | 27% | -19% | 24% | 23% | 14% | 108% |
Monthly Win Rates [3] | |||||||
| OPTU Win Rate | 58% | 17% | 42% | 50% | 33% | 33% | |
| Peers Win Rate | 57% | 48% | 43% | 60% | 62% | 52% | |
| S&P 500 Win Rate | 58% | 75% | 42% | 67% | 75% | 73% | |
Max Drawdowns [4] | |||||||
| OPTU Max Drawdown | -37% | -61% | -77% | -59% | -52% | -29% | |
| Peers Max Drawdown | -21% | -13% | -30% | -11% | -10% | -18% | |
| S&P 500 Max Drawdown | -31% | -1% | -25% | -1% | -2% | -15% | |
[1] Cumulative total returns since the beginning of 2020
[2] Peers: CMCSA, CHTR, T, VZ, TMUS.
[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 12/17/2025 (YTD)
How Low Can It Go
| Event | OPTU | 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 T, ATNI, ELWT, VTEK, VZ
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.
Trade Ideas
Select past ideas related to OPTU. For more, see Trefis Trade Ideas.
| Date | Ticker | Company | Category | Trade Strategy | 6M Fwd Rtn | 12M Fwd Rtn | 12M Max DD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11302025 | 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 | -1.3% | -1.3% | -1.4% | |
| 11212025 | TMUS | T-Mobile US | 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 | -5.0% | -5.0% | -6.4% |
| 11212025 | Z | Zillow | 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 | -1.5% | -1.5% | -3.9% |
| 11072025 | IRDM | Iridium Communications | 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 | 1.3% | 1.3% | -5.6% |
| 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 | -28.9% | -28.9% | -29.8% |
| Date | Ticker | Company | Category | Trade Strategy | 6M Fwd Rtn | 12M Fwd Rtn | 12M Max DD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11302025 | 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 | -1.3% | -1.3% | -1.4% | |
| 11212025 | TMUS | T-Mobile US | 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 | -5.0% | -5.0% | -6.4% |
| 11212025 | Z | Zillow | 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 | -1.5% | -1.5% | -3.9% |
| 11072025 | IRDM | Iridium Communications | 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 | 1.3% | 1.3% | -5.6% |
| 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 | -28.9% | -28.9% | -29.8% |
Research & Analysis
Invest in Strategies
Wealth Management
Peer Comparisons for Optimum Communications
| Peers to compare with: |
Financials
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| Mkt Price | 35.60 |
| Mkt Cap | 142.8 |
| Rev LTM | 105,016 |
| Op Inc LTM | 20,956 |
| FCF LTM | 15,198 |
| FCF 3Y Avg | 11,686 |
| CFO LTM | 29,028 |
| CFO 3Y Avg | 25,266 |
Growth & Margins
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| Rev Chg LTM | 2.2% |
| Rev Chg 3Y Avg | 0.9% |
| Rev Chg Q | 1.6% |
| QoQ Delta Rev Chg LTM | 0.4% |
| Op Mgn LTM | 21.0% |
| Op Mgn 3Y Avg | 20.1% |
| QoQ Delta Op Mgn LTM | -0.4% |
| CFO/Rev LTM | 27.7% |
| CFO/Rev 3Y Avg | 27.0% |
| FCF/Rev LTM | 14.2% |
| FCF/Rev 3Y Avg | 11.4% |
Valuation
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| Mkt Cap | 142.8 |
| P/S | 1.1 |
| P/EBIT | 4.7 |
| P/E | 8.2 |
| P/CFO | 4.3 |
| Total Yield | 12.4% |
| Dividend Yield | 0.7% |
| FCF Yield 3Y Avg | 8.6% |
| D/E | 0.9 |
| Net D/E | 0.8 |
Returns
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| 1M Rtn | -1.0% |
| 3M Rtn | -16.5% |
| 6M Rtn | -9.9% |
| 12M Rtn | -13.6% |
| 3Y Rtn | 15.7% |
| 1M Excs Rtn | -1.7% |
| 3M Excs Rtn | -17.2% |
| 6M Excs Rtn | -22.3% |
| 12M Excs Rtn | -28.0% |
| 3Y Excs Rtn | -56.8% |
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 |
Earnings Returns History
Expand for More| Forward Returns | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Earnings Date | 1D Returns | 5D Returns | 21D Returns |
| 11/6/2025 | -3.7% | -8.8% | -15.8% |
| 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% | -15.5% |
| 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
| Y Finance | Barrons |
| TradingView | Morningstar |
| SeekingAlpha | ValueLine |
| Motley Fool | Robinhood |
| CNBC | Etrade |
| MarketWatch | Unusual Whales |
| YCharts | Perplexity Finance |
| FinViz |