Stocks breaking to new annual highs
S&P 500 oversold value screener
Relative strength momentum leaders
Upcoming earnings dates & reports
Filter and sort all 500 stocks
Continuous multi-factor scoring & catalyst forensics
Today's biggest gainers and losers
Cable One operates broadband, video, and voice services across 21 states serving approximately 1 million residential and business customers, primarily in smaller markets (population <20,000) across the Western and Midwestern U.S. The company faces structural headwinds from video cord-cutting and intense fiber overbuilding competition, evidenced by -5.9% revenue decline and compressed margins. Trading at 0.4x sales with 61.8% FCF yield reflects deep value distress pricing amid subscriber losses and elevated leverage (2.3x D/E).
Cable One generates revenue through monthly recurring subscriptions for broadband, video, and voice services over its owned hybrid fiber-coaxial (HFC) network infrastructure. The company operates in smaller, less competitive markets where it historically held monopoly/duopoly positions, allowing premium pricing ($80-120/month for broadband). Gross margins of 73.6% reflect high incremental profitability once network infrastructure is deployed, but operating leverage is deteriorating as video subscribers churn (industry-wide -8% to -10% annually) and fiber competitors (AT&T, local municipalities) overbuild territories. The company has shifted strategy toward broadband-only customers and speed tier upgrades, but faces capital intensity of 18-20% of revenue to maintain network competitiveness against fiber-to-the-home deployments.
Residential broadband net subscriber additions/losses - primary growth metric as video declines
Average revenue per user (ARPU) trends - ability to offset volume losses with price increases and speed tier migrations
Competitive fiber overbuilding announcements in core markets - directly threatens monopoly positioning
Free cash flow generation and debt reduction progress - critical given 2.3x leverage and distressed valuation
M&A speculation or strategic alternatives - company size makes it potential takeout candidate for larger MSOs
Secular video cord-cutting accelerating beyond industry -8% to -10% annual decline rates, with no offset from broadband growth in mature markets
Fiber overbuilding by AT&T, municipal broadband, and rural electric cooperatives using federal RDOF/BEAD subsidies - superior technology threatens HFC network competitiveness
Fixed wireless access (FWA) from T-Mobile and Verizon offering $50/month unlimited broadband in Cable One's rural markets without infrastructure investment
Regulatory risk from net neutrality reinstatement, broadband labeling requirements, and potential rate regulation as broadband reclassified as utility
Incumbent telcos (AT&T, Lumen) upgrading copper to fiber in overlapping territories, offering symmetrical gigabit speeds vs Cable One's asymmetric DOCSIS
Streaming services (YouTube TV, Hulu Live) cannibalizing video revenue at accelerating pace with superior user experience and lower cost
Scale disadvantage vs larger MSOs (Comcast, Charter) in programming negotiations and technology deployment costs
Elevated leverage (estimated 3.5-4.0x Net Debt/EBITDA) with declining EBITDA creates refinancing risk and limits financial flexibility
Negative ROE (-28.6%) and ROA (-15.9%) indicate capital destruction, potentially from goodwill impairments or restructuring charges
Low current ratio (0.38) signals liquidity constraints, though operating cash flow of $700M provides cushion
Potential covenant violations if EBITDA deterioration continues, triggering accelerated maturity or higher interest rates
low-to-moderate - Broadband services exhibit utility-like characteristics with low elasticity during recessions, as internet connectivity is essential. However, business services segment (~15-20% of revenue) is cyclically sensitive to SMB formation and expansion. Video cord-cutting accelerates during economic weakness as consumers trade down to streaming services. The company's smaller market footprint (median household income often below national average) creates modest sensitivity to employment and wage trends.
High sensitivity through multiple channels: (1) Elevated debt load ($1.4B+ estimated) means rising rates directly increase interest expense, compressing net margins already at 0.9%; (2) Capital-intensive business model requires ongoing debt refinancing, with ~$300M annual capex partially debt-funded; (3) Valuation multiple compression as rising risk-free rates make utility-like cash flows less attractive; (4) Potential M&A activity (company as target) becomes less feasible in high-rate environment due to financing costs for acquirers.
Moderate - Company's 2.3x debt/equity and negative ROE (-28.6%) indicate stressed credit profile. Access to capital markets for refinancing is critical, as business generates $400M FCF but requires ongoing network investment. High-yield credit spread widening would increase borrowing costs and potentially trigger covenant concerns. However, broadband infrastructure assets provide tangible collateral value.
deep value - Stock trades at 0.4x sales and 0.4x book value with 61.8% FCF yield, attracting distressed/special situations investors betting on stabilization, debt reduction, or M&A takeout. Not suitable for growth investors given -5.9% revenue decline and structural headwinds. Dividend investors likely exited given capital allocation priority to debt reduction over distributions.
high - Stock down -62.5% over past year with -31.1% six-month decline indicates elevated volatility. Small market cap ($600M) and low trading liquidity amplify price swings. Beta likely 1.3-1.5x given leverage and cyclical business services exposure. Quarterly earnings create significant volatility based on subscriber trends and guidance revisions.
