Upside case
Bull case
$240+53.1%
CHTR would need investors to value it at roughly 6x earnings — about 2x more generous than today's 4x forward P/E. That requires meaningful multiple expansion on top of continued earnings growth.
Analysis OverviewBuyUpdated May 1, 2026
Charter Communications, Inc. (CHTR) Stock Analysis
Wall Street verdict, consensus price target, and analyst rating breakdown — everything needed to frame the risk/reward at today's price.
Analyst consensus
Buy
Covering
55
analysts
26 bullish · 4 bearish · 55 covering CHTR
Strong Buy
0
Buy
26
Hold
25
Sell
4
Strong Sell
0
Consensus Target
$277
+77.2% vs today
Scenario Range
$85 – $240
Model bear to bull value window
Coverage
55
Published analyst ratings
Valuation Context
3.7x
Forward P/E · Market cap $19.8B
CHTR price targets
Three scenarios for where CHTR stock could go
Current
~$157
Confidence
52 / 100
Updated
May 1, 2026
Where we are now
Current · $157
Bear
$85
Base
$196
Bull
$240
Market caseClosest to today
Base case
$196+25.0%
At 5x on FY1 earnings, the base case reflects a reasonable but not stretched valuation. It prices in continued growth without assuming an exceptional setup.
Stress case
Bear case
$85-45.7%
If investor confidence fades or macro conditions deteriorate, a 2x multiple contraction could push CHTR down roughly 46% from where it trades now.
Not financial advice. Model confidence reflects internal scenario assumptions, not a guarantee of returns. Past performance does not predict future results.
Charter Communications, Inc.
CHTR · NASDAQCommunication ServicesTelecommunications ServicesDecember year-end
Charter Communications is a major broadband connectivity and cable operator serving residential and commercial customers across the United States. It generates revenue primarily through subscription fees for its triple-play services—broadband internet (~50% of revenue), video/television (~30%), and voice/phone services—along with growing mobile services. The company's key competitive advantage is its extensive hybrid fiber-coaxial network infrastructure, which provides high-speed connectivity with significant scale advantages and high customer switching costs.
Market Cap
$19.8B
Revenue TTM
$54.6B
Net Income TTM
$5.1B
Net Margin
9.4%
CHTR Revenue and Earnings Performance
Quarterly beat-or-miss track record against analyst estimates, plus forward revenue and EPS outlook for the next two fiscal years.
EPS Beat Rate
50%Exceptional
12 quarters tracked
Revenue Beat Rate
58%Exceptional
vs consensus estimates
Avg EPS Surprise
-1.3%
above Street consensus
Beat / Miss Record
BeatMissLeft = EPS · Right = Revenue
Q3 2025
Q4 2025
Q1 2026
Q2 2026
Last 4 Quarters
EPS beats: 1 of 4Q3 2025
EPS
$9.18/$9.58
Revenue
$13.8B/$13.8B
Q4 2025
EPS
$8.34/$9.23
Revenue
$13.7B/$13.7B
Q1 2026
EPS
$10.34/$9.78
Revenue
$13.6B/$13.7B
Q2 2026
EPS
$9.17/$9.96
Revenue
$13.6B/$13.5B
| Quarter | EPS (Actual / Est) | EPS Surprise | Revenue (Actual / Est) | Rev Surprise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q3 2025 | $9.18/$9.58 | -4.2% | $13.8B/$13.8B | +0.0% |
| Q4 2025 | $8.34/$9.23 | -9.6% | $13.7B/$13.7B | -0.5% |
| Q1 2026 | $10.34/$9.78 | +5.7% | $13.6B/$13.7B | -1.0% |
| Q2 2026 | $9.17/$9.96 | -7.9% | $13.6B/$13.5B | +0.3% |
FY1–FY2 Estimates
Revenue Outlook
FY1
$54.8B
+0.4% YoY
FY2
$55.0B
+0.3% YoY
EPS Outlook
FY1
$42.51
+5.0% YoY
FY2
$45.27
+6.5% YoY
Trailing FCF (TTM)$4.0B
FCF Margin: 7.4%
Next Earnings
—
Expected EPS
—
Expected Revenue
—
CHTR beat EPS estimates in 1 of 4 tracked quarters. Mixed delivery makes the upcoming report a key data point for re-rating.
CHTR Revenue Breakdown by Segment
Product and geographic revenue mix from the latest annual disclosure, with year-over-year growth by segment.
Latest disclosure
FY 2025
Total disclosed revenue $93.9B
Product Mix
Latest annual revenue by segment or product family
Residential Product Line
45.3%
-1.0% YoY
Tap, hover, or focus a slice to inspect segment detail.
Geographic Mix
Latest annual revenue by reported region
Segment breakdown not available for this company.
Residential Product Line is the largest disclosed segment at 45.3% of FY 2025 revenue, down 1.0% YoY.
CHTR Valuation Snapshot
Current multiples compared to the S&P 500, the company's sector, and its own five-year average.
Relative Value Signal
Significantly Undervalued
Fair value est. $605 — implies +252.3% from today's price.
Upside to Fair Value
252.3%
potential upside
Deep DiscountFair ValueVery Expensive
vs S&P 500 Trailing P/E
CHTR
4.3x
vs
S&P 500
25.2x
83% discount
vs Communication Services Trailing P/E
CHTR
4.3x
vs
Communication Services
15.5x
72% discount
vs CHTR 5Y Avg P/E
Today
4.3x
vs
5Y Average
13.2x
67% discount
Forward PE
3.7x
S&P 500
19.1x
-81%
Communication Services
13.1x
-72%
5Y Avg
—
—
Trailing PE
4.3x
S&P 500
25.2x
-83%
Communication Services
15.5x
-72%
5Y Avg
13.2x
-67%
PEG Ratio
0.23x
S&P 500
1.75x
-87%
Communication Services
0.66x
-65%
5Y Avg
—
—
EV/EBITDA
5.3x
S&P 500
15.3x
-65%
Communication Services
8.7x
-39%
5Y Avg
7.5x
-30%
Price/FCF
4.5x
S&P 500
21.3x
-79%
Communication Services
11.6x
-61%
5Y Avg
12.6x
-64%
Price/Sales
0.4x
S&P 500
3.1x
-88%
Communication Services
1.0x
-66%
5Y Avg
1.2x
-70%
Dividend Yield
—
S&P 500
1.88%
—
Communication Services
3.38%
—
5Y Avg
—
—
| Metric | CHTR | S&P 500 | Communication Services | 5Y Avg CHTR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forward PE | 3.7x | 19.1x-81% | 13.1x-72% | — |
| Trailing PE | 4.3x | 25.2x-83% | 15.5x-72% | 13.2x-67% |
| PEG Ratio | 0.23x | 1.75x-87% | 0.66x-65% | — |
| EV/EBITDA | 5.3x | 15.3x-65% | 8.7x-39% | 7.5x-30% |
| Price/FCF | 4.5x | 21.3x-79% | 11.6x-61% | 12.6x-64% |
| Price/Sales | 0.4x | 3.1x-88% | 1.0x-66% | 1.2x-70% |
| Dividend Yield | — | 1.88% | 3.38% | — |
CHTR trades above S&P 500 benchmarks on 0 of 6 measured multiples — appears modestly priced relative to the S&P 500 on most measures.
Forward P/E and PEG reflect analyst consensus estimates. Historical averages use trailing ratios where forward data is unavailable.S&P 500 and sector benchmarks both use trailing median P/E — similar readings indicate the broader index and sector are priced alike.
Open valuation toolCHTR Financial Health
Verdict
Strong
CHTR earns 24.1% operating margin on regulated earnings. Utilities carry higher leverage than industrials as a structural feature of the business model.
Regulated Operations
Revenue, regulated margins, and earnings
Revenue (TTM)
Trailing-twelve-month sales base
$54.6B
Revenue Growth
TTM vs prior year
-0.9%
Operating Margin
Operating income divided by revenue
24.1%
Net Margin
Net income divided by revenue
9.4%
EPS (TTM)
Diluted earnings per share, trailing twelve months
$40.47
Operating Margin
Operating income over revenue — primary regulated earnings signal
24.1%
Capital Quality
ROIC, leverage, and debt serviceability
ROIC
Return on invested capital — primary competitive quality signal
8.6%
ROA
Return on assets, trailing twelve months
3.3%
Cash & Equivalents
Liquid assets on the balance sheet
$477M
Net Debt
Total debt minus cash
$96.6B
Debt Serviceability
Net debt as a multiple of annual free cash flow
24.0× FCF
Regulated utilities typically operate at 3–5× net debt/FCF — this is structural, not a risk flag.
ROE *
Return on equity, trailing twelve months
25.2%
* Elevated by buyback-compressed equity — compare ROIC (8.6%) for an undistorted picture of capital efficiency.
Shareholder Returns
How capital is returned to owners
Total shareholder yield
25.9%
Dividend
—
Buyback
25.9%
Share Repurchases
Trailing buyback outflow — dollar magnitude of capital returned
$5.1B
Dividend / Share
Annualized trailing dividend per share
—
Payout Ratio
Share of earnings distributed as dividends
—
Shares Outstanding
Declining as buybacks retire shares
127M
All figures from the trailing twelve months. Utilities operate with structural leverage (3–5× net debt/FCF) due to regulated, predictable cash flows.
Open full ratios pageCHTR Stock Risk Factors
Key factors that could pressure the stock price, compress the multiple, or weigh on future results.
AI analysis · updated April 29, 2026
High Risk
Market Competition and Subscriber Losses
Charter is facing intensified competition, resulting in a loss of 120,000 broadband customers in Q1 2026, more than double the loss from the same quarter last year. This has contributed to a 1.3% year-over-year decline in internet segment revenue, raising concerns about customer acquisition in a crowded market.
High Risk
Financial and Debt Concerns
Charter carries a substantial debt load of approximately $94 billion, raising concerns about its financial strength, which is rated at 3 out of 10. The acquisition of Cox Communications adds financial risks, including the assumption of significant debt, which could be adversely affected by market disruptions.
Medium
Regulatory and Policy Risks
The potential cessation of the federal broadband Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) subsidy poses a risk to Charter's revenue and customer base, particularly among low-income consumers. Regulatory changes could also lead to increased operational costs and stricter compliance requirements.
Medium
Operational and Performance Issues
Charter reported a significant decline in earnings per share in Q1 2026, missing consensus expectations, while adjusted EBITDA fell by 2.2% year-over-year. Additionally, the company plans to lay off 1,200 employees, about 1% of its workforce, in response to subscriber losses.
These are risk mechanisms, not predictions. The key question is which would force a cut to earnings estimates or a lower multiple than the market currently prices in.
Why CHTR Stock Could Outperform
Structural drivers behind the upside case and why the stock could outperform over the next 12 months.
AI analysis · updated April 29, 2026
Low P/E Ratio
Charter's stock is trading at a significantly lower P/E ratio, around 4.5x to 6x, compared to its media peers and historical norms. This suggests the market may be undervaluing the company, presenting a potential buying opportunity for value-focused investors.
Mobile Business Growth
Charter's mobile business is rapidly expanding its customer base and contributing to EBITDA and revenue. This growth engine has become substantial in a short period, indicating strong operational strength.
Network Upgrades (DOCSIS 4.0)
Investments in network evolution, including the upgrade to DOCSIS 4.0, are expected to enable multi-gigabit speeds over existing infrastructure. This enhancement will improve competitiveness and potentially lead to better profit margins.
Free Cash Flow Generation
Charter is expected to experience a significant increase in free cash flow in the coming years due to declining capital expenditures as major network projects near completion. This FCF boom provides flexibility for share buybacks or debt reduction.
Cost Advantages and Margin Improvement
Bulls believe that cost efficiencies, combined with network upgrades and mobile growth, can lead to higher profit margins, moving from current levels of around 9-10% towards 12% or more.
A real bull case compounds — each driver matters most when it strengthens margins, supports capital returns, and keeps the company above the market's minimum growth bar simultaneously.
CHTR Stock Price Performance
52-week range context and price returns across multiple time horizons. Dividend contribution is shown separately in the Capital Return section.
Current Price
$156.52
52W Range Position
0%
52-Week Range
Current price plotted between the 52-week low and high.
52-Week Low
$156.14
+0.2% from the low
52-Week High
$437.06
-64.2% from the high
1 Month
-28.85%
3 Month
-32.28%
YTD
-25.2%
1 Year
-61.1%
3Y CAGR
-23.6%
5Y CAGR
-25.4%
10Y CAGR
-3.0%
Range context matters because valuation compression and earnings misses rarely hit from the same starting point. A stock already far below its high can still fall, but it is no longer carrying the same embedded optimism as one pressing a fresh peak.
CHTR vs Peers
Valuation, growth, and margin comparison against the closest publicly traded peers for this company.
Peer Set
Accurate peer set
Forward PE
3.7x
vs 3.1x median
+18% above peer median
Revenue Growth
+0.4%
vs -3.6% median
+110% above peer median
Net Margin
9.4%
vs -17.7% median
+153% above peer median
| Company | Mkt Cap | Fwd PE | Rev Grw | Margin | Rating | Upside |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CHT CHTR Charter Communications, Inc. | $19.8B | 3.7x | +0.4% | 9.4% | Buy | +77.2% |
CMC CMCSA Comcast Corporation | $96.3B | 7.5x | -1.0% | 14.8% | Buy | +20.5% |
CAB CABO Cable One, Inc. | $316M | 2.4x | -3.0% | -17.7% | Hold | +43.6% |
WOW WOW WideOpenWest, Inc. | $446M | — | -6.4% | -13.2% | Hold | — |
ATU ATUS Altice USA, Inc. | $539M | — | -3.6% | -21.8% | Buy | +32.3% |
LBR LBRDA Liberty Broadband Corporation | $5.2B | 3.1x | -9.1% | -507.8% | Buy | +331.6% |
This peer comparison reflects companies with similar business models, product lines, or market positioning, supplemented by industry grouping when direct matches are limited.
CHTR Dividend and Capital Return
CHTR returns 25.9% annually — null% through dividends and 25.9% through buybacks.
Dividend UnknownFCF Unknown
Total Shareholder Yield
25.9%
Dividend + buyback return per year
Buyback Yield
25.9%
Dividend Yield
—
Payout Ratio
—
Dividend Profile
Yield, cadence, and growth quality
Dividend / Share
Trailing annualized cash dividend
$0.00
Growth Streak
Consecutive years of dividend increases
0Y
3Y Div CAGR
—
5Y Div CAGR
—
Ex-Dividend Date
—
Payment Cadence
—
0 payments over the last 12 months
Buyback Engine
How much per-share support comes from repurchases
Repurchases (TTM)
Cash used for buybacks in the latest trailing period
$5.1B
Estimated Shares Retired
33M
Approx. Share Reduction
25.9%
Shares Outstanding
Current diluted share count from the screening snapshot
127M
At 25.9%/year, buybacks mechanically lift EPS even with flat earnings — each remaining share represents a slightly larger piece of the company.
FAQ
7 questionsCHTR Investor Questions
Common questions answered from live analyst data and company financials.
01Is Charter Communications, Inc. (CHTR) stock a buy or sell in 2026?
Charter Communications, Inc. (CHTR) is rated Buy by Wall Street analysts as of 2026. Of 55 analysts covering the stock, 26 rate it Buy or Strong Buy, 25 rate it Hold, and 4 rate it Sell or Strong Sell. The consensus 12-month price target is $277, implying +77.2% from the current price of $157. The bear case scenario is $85 and the bull case is $240.
02What is the CHTR stock price target for 2026?
The Wall Street consensus price target for CHTR is $277 based on 55 analyst estimates. The high-end target is $500 (+219.4% from today), and the low-end target is $160 (+2.2%). The base case model target is $196.
03Is Charter Communications, Inc. (CHTR) stock overvalued in 2026?
CHTR trades at 3.7x times forward earnings. The stock currently trades at a discount to the broader market. Based on current multiples versus the peer group, the relative model signals significantly undervalued. Whether the stock is over or undervalued ultimately depends on whether consensus earnings estimates are achievable.
04What are the main risks for Charter Communications, Inc. (CHTR) stock in 2026?
The primary risks for CHTR in 2026 are: (1) Market Competition and Subscriber Losses — Charter is facing intensified competition, resulting in a loss of 120,000 broadband customers in Q1 2026, more than double the loss from the same quarter last year. (2) Financial and Debt Concerns — Charter carries a substantial debt load of approximately $94 billion, raising concerns about its financial strength, which is rated at 3 out of 10. (3) Regulatory and Policy Risks — The potential cessation of the federal broadband Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) subsidy poses a risk to Charter's revenue and customer base, particularly among low-income consumers. Each factor has the potential to pressure earnings or compress the stock's valuation multiple.
05What is Charter Communications, Inc.'s revenue and earnings forecast?
Analyst consensus estimates CHTR will report consensus revenue of $54.8B (+0.4% year-over-year) and EPS of $42.51 (+5.0% year-over-year) for the upcoming fiscal year. The following year, analysts project $55.0B in revenue.
06When does Charter Communications, Inc. (CHTR) report its next earnings?
A confirmed upcoming earnings date for CHTR is not yet available. Check the Earnings section above for the most recent quarterly report dates and forward estimates.
07How much free cash flow does Charter Communications, Inc. generate?
Charter Communications, Inc. (CHTR) generated $4.0B in free cash flow over the trailing twelve months — a free cash flow margin of 7.4%. CHTR returns capital to shareholders through and share repurchases ($5.1B TTM).