Charter Communications, Inc. Class A (CHTR)

Charter Communications' stock experienced a 37.67% decline from January 13, 2025, to January 9, 2026. In July 2025, the company faced a securities fraud lawsuit alleging misrepresentation of its ability to manage post-Affordable Connectivity Program subscriber losses and revenue declines. Following its Q2 2025 earnings report, the stock price plummeted by 18.4%, erasing approximately $7 billion in market value. In October 2025, Charter announced plans to eliminate up to 1,200 jobs as part of a restructuring. In January 2026, Charter closed on a $3 billion senior unsecured notes offering to refinance debt and fund buybacks, and Wells Fargo downgraded the stock, citing expected residential broadband subscriber losses.

Cable operators like Charter Communications typically experience weak subscriber results in the second quarter due to students and "snowbirds" discontinuing services. Charter's rural buildouts and promotional packages like Spectrum One could potentially mitigate these seasonal trends. Mobile services represent Charter's fastest-growing segment, driven by evolving consumer demand for converged services.

Charter Communications is a leading broadband connectivity company and cable operator in the United States, operating primarily under the Spectrum brand. It provides a suite of services to residential and commercial customers, including high-speed internet, mobile services, video entertainment, and digital telephone services. For businesses, Charter offers fiber internet access, data networking, internet security, managed services, unified communications, and business telephone services. Additionally, Charter's advertising sales division, Spectrum Reach, offers advertising opportunities, and the company owns and operates regional sports and news networks.

Charter Communications serves over 32 million customers across 41 states in the United States. Its network infrastructure reaches approximately 58 million homes and businesses. The company's headquarters are located in Stamford, Connecticut, with operational and regional centers in cities such as Charlotte, Denver, and St. Louis.

Charter Communications' brand reputation has been affected by several notable events. In 2025, the company faced a billion-dollar liability ruling related to a murder committed by a technician. There were also reports of cyber-espionage attacks attributed to Chinese state-linked groups in 2024. The company received a $15 million FCC fine for failing to manage emergency services reporting. Targeted infrastructure sabotage, such as the 2025 Vanise fiber cuts in California, also impacted its reputation. The securities fraud lawsuit in 2025 further contributed to concerns about corporate transparency and investor trust.

Charter Communications has a diverse ownership structure. Major institutional owners include Dodge & Cox, Vanguard Group Inc, Capital International Investors, State Street Corp, BlackRock, Inc., Harris Associates L P, and Franklin Resources Inc. Significant individual and corporate shareholders include Liberty Broadband Corp, Advance Publications, and Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. Michael A. Newhouse is also a significant insider owner.