AT&T Inc.T
NYSE•Communication Services•Telecom Services
Understand cash generation quality and how management allocates capital.
Free cash flow was $2.72B in the latest quarter (43.0% decrease YoY). FCF margin is 2.1%. Shares outstanding declined by 2.7% year-over-year, indicating buybacks (returning capital to shareholders). Free cash flow is the lifeblood of a business — it funds dividends, buybacks, debt reduction, and reinvestment without relying on external capital.
Free cash flow, earnings quality, and capital allocation