AT&T Profit Rises - Quick Facts

(RTTNews) - AT&T Inc. (T) Wednesday reported third-quarter net income of $3.8 billion or $0.72 per share, compared with $3.6 billion or $0.63 per share last year.

Results for the quarter included gains of $0.03 per share from a transfer of spectrum and $0.03 per share from income tax items.

Excluding items, adjusted earnings for the quarter were $0.66 per share, compared with $0.63 per share a year ago.

On average, 28 analysts polled by Thomson Reuters estimated earnings of $0.65 per share for the quarter. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items.

Total revenues for the quarter were $32.16 billion, up 2.2 percent from $31.46 billion in the prior year. Twenty-six analysts had a consensus revenue estimate of $32.19 billion.

"We're setting the standard for 4G LTE speeds and network reliability. Our fiber and U-verse expansion projects are ahead of schedule bringing high-speed broadband to millions more customers," CEO said Randall Stephenson.

Operating expenses for the quarter climbed 2.2 percent year-over-year to $26 billion. Operating margin was unchanged at 19.2 percent.