AT&T Finishes 2024 Strong, Delivering Growth in 5G and Fiber Subscribers, Service Revenues, Cash from Operations and Free Cash Flow

¹ Effective with our first-quarter 2024 reporting, we have removed connected devices from our total Mobility subscribers, consistent with industry standards and our key performance metrics. Connected devices include data-centric devices such as session-based tablets, monitoring devices and primarily wholesale automobile systems.

About AT&T

We help more than 100 million U.S. families, friends and neighbors, plus nearly 2.5 million businesses, connect to greater possibility. From the first phone call 140+ years ago to our 5G wireless and multi-gig internet offerings today, we @ATT innovate to improve lives. For more information about AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T), please visit us at about.att.com. Investors can learn more at investors.att.com.

Cautionary Language Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

Information set forth in this news release contains financial estimates and other forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results might differ materially. A discussion of factors that may affect future results is contained in AT&T’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. AT&T disclaims any obligation to update and revise statements contained in this news release based on new information or otherwise. This news release may contain certain non-GAAP financial measures. Reconciliations between the non-GAAP financial measures and the GAAP financial measures are available on the Company’s website at https://investors.att.com.

Non-GAAP Measures and Reconciliations to GAAP Measures

Schedules and reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures cited in this document to the most directly comparable financial measures under generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) can be found at https://investors.att.com and in our Form 8-K dated January 27, 2025. Adjusted diluted EPS, adjusted operating income, EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, free cash flow, net debt and net debt-to-adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures frequently used by investors and credit rating agencies.

Adjusted diluted EPS is calculated by excluding from operating revenues, operating expenses, other income (expenses) 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. Non-operational items arising from asset acquisitions and dispositions include 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 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 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%. For 4Q24, adjusted EPS of $0.54 is diluted EPS of $0.56 adjusted for $0.01 of net actuarial loss and other benefit-related, transaction and other costs, minus $0.03 benefit from tax items. For 4Q23, adjusted EPS of $0.54 is diluted EPS of $0.30 adjusted for $0.18 actuarial loss on benefit plans, $0.06 restructuring and impairments, $0.03 proportionate share of intangible amortization at the DIRECTV equity method investment, and $0.01 benefit-related, transaction and other costs, minus $0.04 benefit from tax items.

For 2024, adjusted EPS of $2.26 is diluted EPS of $1.49 adjusted for $0.72 restructuring and impairments, $0.09 proportionate share of intangible amortization at the DIRECTV equity method investment, and $0.01 actuarial loss on benefit plans, minus $0.03 benefit from tax items and $0.02 of benefit-related, transaction and other costs. For 2023, adjusted EPS of $2.41 is diluted EPS of $1.97 adjusted for $0.18 restructuring and impairments, $0.17 net actuarial and settlement loss on benefit plans, and $0.14 proportionate share of intangible amortization at the DIRECTV equity method investment, minus $0.04 benefit from tax items and $0.01 of benefit-related, transaction and other costs.

Beginning with reporting of first-quarter 2025 results, the company plans to revise its definition of adjusted EPS to remove the equity in net income from our investment in DIRECTV, which we have agreed to sell to TPG. For 2024, Adjusted EPS excluding DIRECTV of $1.95 is diluted EPS of $1.49 adjusted for $0.72 restructuring and impairments, and $0.01 actuarial loss on benefit plans, minus $0.22 equity in net income of DIRECTV, $0.03 benefit from tax items and $0.02 of benefit-related, transaction and other costs. The Company expects adjustments to 2025 reported diluted EPS to include an adjustment to remove equity in net income of DIRECTV, a non-cash mark-to-market benefit plan gain/loss, and other items. The adjustment to remove the equity in net income of DIRECTV is dependent upon cash distributions from DIRECTV and the timing of the closing of the sale of our DIRECTV investment, which is expected in mid-2025. The Company expects the mark-to-market adjustment, which is driven by interest rates and investment returns that are not reasonably estimable at this time, to be a significant item. Our projected 2025 adjusted EPS excluding DIRECTV depends on future levels of revenues and expenses, most of which are not reasonably estimable at this time. Accordingly, we cannot provide a reconciliation between this projected non-GAAP metric and the most comparable GAAP metric without unreasonable effort.

Adjusted operating income is operating income adjusted for revenues and costs we consider non-operational in nature, including items arising from asset acquisitions or dispositions. For 4Q24, adjusted operating income of $5.4 billion is calculated as operating income of $5.3 billion plus $0.1 billion of adjustments. For 4Q23, adjusted operating income of $5.8 billion is calculated as operating income of $5.3 billion plus $0.5 billion of adjustments. For 2024, adjusted operating income of $24.2 billion is calculated as operating income of $19.0 billion plus $5.2 billion of adjustments. For 2023, adjusted operating income of $24.7 billion is calculated as operating income of $23.5 billion plus $1.2 billion of adjustments. Adjustments for all periods are detailed in the Discussion and Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures included in our Form 8-K dated January 27, 2025.

EBITDA is net income plus income tax, interest, and depreciation and amortization expenses minus equity in net income of affiliates and other income (expense) – net. Adjusted EBITDA is calculated by excluding from EBITDA certain significant items that are non-operational or non-recurring in nature, including dispositions and merger integration and transaction costs, significant abandonments and impairments, benefit-related gains and losses, employee separation and other material gains and losses. Adjusted EBITDA, Mobility EBITDA, Business Wireline EBITDA and Consumer Wireline EBITDA estimates depend on future levels of revenues and expenses which are not reasonably estimable at this time. Accordingly, we cannot provide reconciliations between these projected non-GAAP metrics and the most comparable GAAP metrics without unreasonable effort.

For 4Q24, adjusted EBITDA of $10.8 billion is calculated as net income of $4.4 billion, plus income tax expense of $0.9 billion, plus interest expense of $1.7 billion, minus equity in net income of affiliates of $1.1 billion, minus other income (expense) – net of $0.6 billion, plus depreciation and amortization of $5.4 billion, plus adjustments of $0.1 billion. For 4Q23, adjusted EBITDA of $10.6 billion is calculated as net income of $2.6 billion, plus income tax expense of $0.4 billion, plus interest expense of $1.7 billion, minus equity in net income of affiliates of $0.3 billion, plus other income (expense) – net of $(0.9) billion, plus depreciation and amortization of $4.8 billion, plus adjustments of $0.5 billion. For 2024, adjusted EBITDA of $44.8 billion is calculated as net income of $12.3 billion, plus income tax expense of $4.4 billion, plus interest expense of $6.8 billion, minus equity in net income of affiliates of $2.0 billion, minus other income (expense) – net of $2.4 billion, plus depreciation and amortization of $20.6 billion, plus adjustments of $5.1 billion. For 2023, adjusted EBITDA of $43.4 billion is calculated as net income of $15.6 billion, plus income tax expense of $4.2 billion, plus interest expense of $6.7 billion, minus equity in net income of affiliates of $1.7 billion, minus other income (expense) – net of $1.4 billion, plus depreciation and amortization of $18.8 billion, plus adjustments of $1.2 billion. Adjustments for all periods are detailed in the Discussion and Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures included in our Form 8-K dated January 27, 2025.

At the segment or business unit level, EBITDA is operating income before depreciation and amortization. EBITDA margin is operating income before depreciation and amortization, divided by total revenues. EBITDA service margin is operating income before depreciation and amortization, divided by total service revenues.

Free cash flow for 4Q24 of $4.8 billion is cash from operating activities of $11.9 billion, minus capital expenditures of $6.8 billion and cash paid for vendor financing of $0.2 billion (there were no cash distributions from DIRECTV classified as investing activities in 4Q24). For 4Q23, free cash flow of $6.4 billion is cash from operating activities of $11.4 billion, plus cash distributions from DIRECTV classified as investing activities of $0.6 billion, minus capital expenditures of $4.6 billion and cash paid for vendor financing of $1.0 billion. For 2024, free cash flow of $17.6 billion is cash from operating activities of $38.8 billion, plus cash distributions from DIRECTV classified as investing activities of $0.9 billion, minus capital expenditures of $20.3 billion and cash paid for vendor financing of $1.8 billion. For 2023, free cash flow of $16.8 billion is cash from operating activities of $38.3 billion, plus cash distributions from DIRECTV classified as investing activities of $2.0 billion, minus capital expenditures of $17.9 billion and cash paid for vendor financing of $5.7 billion.

Beginning with the reporting of first-quarter 2025 results, the Company plans to revise its definition of free cash flow to remove cash flows related to DIRECTV (distributions reported in both operating and investing activities). Free cash flow excluding DIRECTV is expected to be defined as cash from operations minus cash flows related to our DIRECTV equity method investment (cash distributions less cash taxes paid from DIRECTV), minus capital expenditures and cash paid for vendor financing (classified as financing activities). For 2024, free cash flow excluding DIRECTV of $15.3 billion is cash from operating activities of $38.8 billion, less cash distributions from DIRECTV classified as operating activities of $2.0 billion, plus cash taxes paid on DIRECTV of $0.7 billion, minus capital expenditures of $20.3 billion and cash paid for vendor financing of $1.8 billion. Due to high variability and difficulty in predicting items that impact cash from operating activities, capital expenditures and vendor financing payments, the Company is not able to provide a reconciliation between projected free cash flow excluding DIRECTV and the most comparable GAAP metric without unreasonable effort.

Capital investment provides a comprehensive view of cash used to invest in our networks, product developments and support systems. In connection with capital improvements, we have favorable payment terms of 120 days or more with certain vendors, referred to as vendor financing, which are excluded from capital expenditures and reported as financing activities. Capital investment includes capital expenditures and cash paid for vendor financing ($0.2 billion in 4Q24, $1.0 billion in 4Q23, $1.8 billion in 2024, and $5.7 billion in 2023). Due to high variability and difficulty in predicting items that impact capital expenditures and vendor financing payments, the Company is not able to provide a reconciliation between projected capital investment and the most comparable GAAP metrics without unreasonable effort.

Adjusted equity in net income from DIRECTV investment of $2.8 billion for 2024 is calculated as equity income from DIRECTV of $2.0 billion reported in Equity in Net Income of Affiliates and excludes $0.8 billion of AT&T’s proportionate share of the non-cash depreciation and amortization of fair value accretion from DIRECTV’s revaluation of assets and purchase price allocation.

Net debt of $120.1 billion at December 31, 2024, is calculated as total debt of $123.5 billion less cash and cash equivalents of $3.3 billion and time deposits (i.e. deposits at financial institutions that are greater than 90 days) of $0.2 billion. Net debt-to-adjusted EBITDA is calculated by dividing net debt by the sum of the most recent four quarters of adjusted EBITDA. Net debt and adjusted EBITDA are calculated as defined above. Net debt and adjusted EBITDA estimates depend on future levels of revenues, expenses and other metrics which are not reasonably estimable at this time. Accordingly, we cannot provide a reconciliation between projected net debt-to-adjusted EBITDA and the most comparable GAAP metrics and related ratios without unreasonable effort.