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Discussion and Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures
We believe the following measures are relevant and useful information to investors as they are part of AT&T's internal management reporting and planning processes and are important metrics that management uses to evaluate the operating performance of AT&T and its segments. Management also uses these measures as a method of comparing performance with that of many of our competitors. These measures should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
On February 2, 2026, we closed our transaction with Lumen Technologies, Inc. (Lumen) and acquired substantially all of Lumen’s Mass Markets fiber business. The acquisition included customer relationships, which we include with our advanced home internet services, and fiber network assets that were placed in a wholly owned subsidiary, Forged Fiber 37 Services, LLC (Forged Fiber). We plan to sell a controlling interest in Forged Fiber to an equity partner that will co-invest in the ongoing business. As such, Forged Fiber met the criteria of held-for-sale and accordingly is reflected as discontinued operations in the accompanying financial statements. The information below refers only to our continuing operations and does not include discussion of balances or activity of Forged Fiber.
Free Cash Flow
Free cash flow is defined as cash from operations minus cash flows related to our DIRECTV equity investment that was sold in July 2025, minus capital expenditures and cash paid for vendor financing (classified as financing activities). Free cash flow after dividends is defined as cash from operations minus cash flows related to our DIRECTV equity investment, capital expenditures, cash paid for vendor financing and dividends on common and preferred shares. Free cash flow dividend payout ratio is defined as the percentage of dividends paid on common and preferred shares to free cash flow. We believe these metrics provide useful information to our investors because management views free cash flow as an important indicator of how much cash is generated by routine business operations, including capital expenditures and vendor financing, and makes decisions based on it. Management also views free cash flow as a measure of cash available to pay debt and return cash to shareowners.
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| Free Cash Flow and Free Cash Flow Dividend Payout Ratio |
| Dollars in millions | | | | |
| | | | First Quarter |
| | | | | 2026 | 2025 |
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities from Continuing Operations | | | | $ | 7,595 | | $ | 9,049 | |
| Less: Distributions from DIRECTV classified as operating activities | | | | — | | (1,423) | |
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| Less: Capital expenditures | | | | (4,877) | | (4,277) | |
| Less: Payment of vendor financing | | | | (212) | | (203) | |
| Free Cash Flow | | | | 2,506 | | 3,146 | |
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| Less: Dividends paid | | | | (1,997) | | (2,091) | |
| Free Cash Flow after Dividends | | | | $ | 509 | | $ | 1,055 | |
| Free Cash Flow Dividend Payout Ratio | | | | 79.7 | % | 66.5 | % |
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Cash Paid for Capital Investment
In connection with capital improvements, we negotiate with some of our vendors to obtain favorable payment terms of 120 days or more, referred to as vendor financing, which are excluded from capital expenditures and reported in accordance with GAAP as financing activities. We present an additional view of cash paid for capital investment to provide investors with a comprehensive view of cash used to invest in our networks, product developments and support systems.
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| Cash Paid for Capital Investment |
| Dollars in millions | | | | |
| | | | First Quarter |
| | | | | 2026 | 2025 |
Capital expenditures | | | | $ | (4,877) | | $ | (4,277) | |
Payment of vendor financing | | | | (212) | | (203) | |
| Cash paid for Capital Investment | | | | $ | (5,089) | | $ | (4,480) | |
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EBITDA
Our calculation of EBITDA, as presented, may differ from similarly titled measures reported by other companies. For AT&T, EBITDA excludes other income (expense) – net, and equity in net income (loss) of affiliates, as these do not reflect the operating results of our subscriber base or operations that are not under our control. Equity in net income (loss) of affiliates represents the proportionate share of the net income (loss) of affiliates in which we exercise significant influence, but do not control. Because we do not control these entities, management excludes these results when evaluating the performance of our primary operations. EBITDA also excludes interest expense and the provision for income taxes. Excluding these items eliminates the expenses associated with our capital and tax structures. Finally, EBITDA excludes depreciation and amortization in order to eliminate the impact of capital investments. EBITDA does not give effect to cash used for debt service requirements and thus does not reflect available funds for distributions, reinvestment or other discretionary uses. EBITDA is not presented as an alternative measure of operating results or cash flows from operations, as determined in accordance with GAAP.
These measures are used by management as a gauge of our success in acquiring, retaining and servicing subscribers because we believe these measures reflect AT&T's ability to generate and grow subscriber revenues while providing a high level of customer service in a cost-effective manner. Management also uses these measures as a method of comparing cash generation potential with that of many of its competitors. The financial and operating metrics which affect EBITDA include the key revenue and expense drivers for which management is responsible and upon which we evaluate performance.
There are material limitations to using these non-GAAP financial measures. EBITDA and EBITDA margin, as we have defined them, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. Furthermore, these performance measures do not take into account certain significant items, including depreciation and amortization, interest expense, tax expense and equity in net income (loss) of affiliates. For market comparability, management analyzes performance measures that are similar in nature to EBITDA as we present it, and considering the economic effect of the excluded expense items independently as well as in connection with its analysis of net income as calculated in accordance with GAAP. EBITDA and EBITDA margin should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with GAAP.
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EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA |
| Dollars in millions | | | | |
| | | | First Quarter |
| | | | | 2026 | 2025 |
Income from Continuing Operations | | | | $ | 4,219 | | $ | 4,692 | |
| Additions: | | | | | |
| Income Tax Expense | | | | 1,179 | | 1,299 | |
| Interest Expense | | | | 1,813 | | 1,658 | |
| Equity in Net (Income) Loss of Affiliates | | | | 41 | | (1,440) | |
| Other (Income) Expense - Net | | | | (594) | | (455) | |
| Depreciation and amortization | | | | 4,966 | | 5,190 | |
| EBITDA | | | | 11,624 | | 10,944 | |
Transaction, legal and other costs | | | | 146 | | 79 | |
| Benefit-related (gain) loss | | | | 25 | | 6 | |
| Asset impairments and abandonments and restructuring | | | | — | | 504 | |
Adjusted EBITDA1 | | | | $ | 11,795 | | $ | 11,533 | |
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1See "Adjusting Items" section for additional discussion and reconciliation of adjusted items. |
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Segment EBITDA and EBITDA Margin |
| Dollars in millions | | | | |
| | | | First Quarter |
| | | | | 2026 | 2025 |
| Advanced Connectivity Segment | | | | | |
| Operating Income | | | | $ | 6,853 | | $ | 5,972 | |
| Add: Depreciation and amortization | | | | 4,705 | | 4,973 | |
| EBITDA | | | | $ | 11,558 | | $ | 10,945 | |
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| Total Operating Revenues | | | | $ | 28,471 | | $ | 27,192 | |
| Operating Income Margin | | | | 24.1 | % | 22.0 | % |
| EBITDA Margin | | | | 40.6 | % | 40.3 | % |
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| Legacy Segment | | | | | |
| Operating Income | | | | $ | 612 | | $ | 1,019 | |
| Add: Depreciation and amortization | | | | — | | — | |
| EBITDA | | | | $ | 612 | | $ | 1,019 | |
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| Total Operating Revenues | | | | $ | 1,768 | | $ | 2,368 | |
| Operating Income Margin | | | | 34.6 | % | 43.0 | % |
| EBITDA Margin | | | | 34.6 | % | 43.0 | % |
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| Latin America Segment | | | | | |
Operating Income | | | | $ | 20 | | $ | 43 | |
| Add: Depreciation and amortization | | | | 200 | | 150 | |
| EBITDA | | | | $ | 220 | | $ | 193 | |
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| Total Operating Revenues | | | | $ | 1,173 | | $ | 971 | |
| Operating Income Margin | | | | 1.7 | % | 4.4 | % |
| EBITDA Margin | | | | 18.8 | % | 19.9 | % |
Adjusting Items
Adjusting items include revenues and costs we consider non-operational in nature, including items arising from asset acquisitions or dispositions, including the amortization of intangible assets. While the expense associated with the amortization of certain wireless licenses and customer lists is excluded, the revenue of the acquired companies is reflected in the measure and that those assets contribute to revenue generation. We also adjust for net actuarial gains or losses associated with our pension and postemployment benefit plans due to the often-significant impact on our results (we immediately recognize this gain or loss in the income statement, pursuant to our accounting policy for the recognition of actuarial gains and losses). Consequently, our adjusted results reflect an expected return on plan assets rather than the actual return on plan assets, as included in the GAAP measure of income.
The tax impact of adjusting items is calculated using the adjusted effective tax rate during the quarter except for adjustments that, given their magnitude, can drive a change in the effective tax rate, in these cases we use the actual tax expense or combined marginal rate of approximately 25%.
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| Adjusting Items |
| Dollars in millions | | | | |
| | | | First Quarter |
| | | | | 2026 | 2025 |
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| Operating Expenses | | | | | |
Transaction, legal and other costs1 | | | | $ | 146 | | $ | 79 | |
| Benefit-related (gain) loss | | | | 25 | | 6 | |
Asset impairments and abandonments and restructuring | | | | — | | 504 | |
| Adjustments to Operations and Support Expenses | | | | 171 | | 589 | |
| Amortization of intangible assets | | | | 57 | | 9 | |
| Adjustments to Operating Expenses | | | | 228 | | 598 | |
| Other | | | | | |
Equity in net income of DIRECTV | | | | — | | (1,423) | |
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Benefit-related (gain) loss, impairments of investments and other | | | | 28 | | 64 | |
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Adjustments to Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes | | | | 256 | | (761) | |
| Tax impact of adjustments | | | | 59 | | (165) | |
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Adjustments to Income From Continuing Operations | | | | $ | 197 | | $ | (596) | |
Preferred stock redemption gain | | | | — | | (90) | |
Adjustments to Income From Continuing Operations Attributable to Common Stock | | | | $ | 197 | | $ | (686) | |
1Includes certain legal reserves and settlements that cover extended historical periods, novel theories of liability and/or are unpredictable in both magnitude and timing, and therefore are distinct and separate from normal, recurring legal matters. Such costs are presented net of expected insurance recoveries and are primarily associated with legacy legal matters and cybersecurity events. |
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Adjusted Operating Income, Adjusted Operating Income Margin, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA margin, Adjusted EBITDA service margin and Adjusted diluted EPS are non-GAAP financial measures calculated by excluding from operating revenues, operating expenses, other income (expense) and income tax expense, certain significant items that are non-operational or non-recurring in nature, including dispositions and merger integration and transaction costs, actuarial gains and losses, significant abandonments and impairments, benefit-related gains and losses, employee separation and other material gains and losses. Management believes that these measures provide relevant and useful information to investors and other users of our financial data in evaluating the effectiveness of our operations and underlying business trends.
Adjusted Operating Income, Adjusted Operating Income Margin, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA margin, Adjusted EBITDA service margin and Adjusted diluted EPS should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with GAAP. AT&T's calculation of Adjusted items, as presented, may differ from similarly titled measures reported by other companies.
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Adjusted Operating Income, Adjusted Operating Income Margin, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin |
| Dollars in millions | | | | |
| | | | First Quarter |
| | | | | 2026 | 2025 |
| Operating Income | | | | $ | 6,658 | | $ | 5,754 | |
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| Adjustments to Operating Expenses | | | | 228 | | 598 | |
| Adjusted Operating Income | | | | $ | 6,886 | | $ | 6,352 | |
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| EBITDA | | | | $ | 11,624 | | $ | 10,944 | |
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| Adjustments to Operations and Support Expenses | | | | 171 | | 589 | |
| Adjusted EBITDA | | | | $ | 11,795 | | $ | 11,533 | |
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| Total Operating Revenues | | | | $ | 31,506 | | $ | 30,626 | |
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| Operating Income Margin | | | | 21.1 | % | 18.8 | % |
| Adjusted Operating Income Margin | | | | 21.9 | % | 20.7 | % |
| Adjusted EBITDA Margin | | | | 37.4 | % | 37.7 | % |
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| Adjusted Diluted EPS |
| | | | First Quarter |
| | | | | 2026 | 2025 |
Diluted Earnings Per Share (EPS) From Continuing Operations | | | | $ | 0.54 | | $ | 0.61 | |
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| Equity in net income of DIRECTV | | | | — | | (0.15) | |
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| Restructuring and impairments | | | | — | | 0.05 | |
Benefit-related, transaction, legal and other items | | | | 0.03 | | — | |
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| Adjusted EPS | | | | $ | 0.57 | | $ | 0.51 | |
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| Year-over-year growth - Adjusted | | | | 11.8 | % | |
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding with Dilution (000,000) | | | | 7,027 | | 7,223 | |
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Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA
Net Debt to EBITDA ratios are non-GAAP financial measures frequently used by investors and credit rating agencies and management believes these measures provide relevant and useful information to investors and other users of our financial data. Our Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA ratio is calculated by dividing the Net Debt by the sum of the most recent four quarters Adjusted EBITDA. Net Debt is calculated by subtracting cash and cash equivalents and deposits at financial institutions that are greater than 90 days (e.g., certificates of deposit and time deposits), from the sum of debt maturing within one year and long-term debt.
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Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA - 2026 |
| Dollars in millions | | | | | | |
| | | Three Months Ended | | |
| | | June 30, | | Sept. 30, | | Dec. 31, | | March 31, | | Four Quarters |
| | | 20251 | | 20251 | | 20251 | | 2026 | |
| Adjusted EBITDA | | $ | 11,731 | | | $ | 11,861 | | | $ | 11,236 | | | $ | 11,795 | | | $ | 46,623 | |
| End-of-period current debt | | | | | | | | | | 6,818 | |
| End-of-period long-term debt | | | | | | | | | | 131,589 | |
| Total End-of-Period Debt | | | | | | | | | | 138,407 | |
| Less: Cash and Cash Equivalents | | | | | | | | | | 11,964 | |
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| Net Debt Balance | | | | | | | | | | 126,443 | |
| Annualized Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA Ratio | | | | | | | | | | 2.71 | |
1As reported in AT&T's Form 8-K filed January 28, 2026. |
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Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA - 2025 |
| Dollars in millions | | | | | | |
| | | Three Months Ended | | |
| | | June 30, | | Sept. 30, | | Dec. 31, | | March 31, | | Four Quarters |
| | | 20241 | | 20241 | | 20241 | | 20251 | |
| Adjusted EBITDA | | $ | 11,337 | | | $ | 11,586 | | | $ | 10,791 | | | $ | 11,533 | | | $ | 45,247 | |
| End-of-period current debt | | | | | | | | | | 8,902 | |
| End-of-period long-term debt | | | | | | | | | | 117,259 | |
| Total End-of-Period Debt | | | | | | | | | | 126,161 | |
| Less: Cash and Cash Equivalents | | | | | | | | | | 6,885 | |
| Less: Time Deposits | | | | | | | | | | 150 | |
| Net Debt Balance | | | | | | | | | | 119,126 | |
| Annualized Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA Ratio | | | | | | | | | | 2.63 | |
1As reported in AT&T's Form 8-K filed January 28, 2026. |