Wrapping up Q4 earnings, we look at the numbers and key takeaways for the telecommunication services stocks, including Lumen (NYSE: LUMN) and its peers.

The sector is a tale of two cities. Satellite telecommunication is generally buoyed by rising global demand for connectivity in costly-to-connect and remote areas. On the other hand, terrestrial telecommunication companies face an uphill battle, as they mostly sell into a deflationary market, where the price of moving a bit tends to decrease over time with better technology. Despite the differences in demand drivers, companies across the entire industry must contend competition from larger telecom conglomerates and hyperscalers expanding their own networks as well as newer entrants such as SpaceX's StarLink.

The 6 telecommunication services stocks we track reported a strong Q4. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 0.6%.

Luckily, telecommunication services stocks have performed well with share prices up 23.3% on average since the latest earnings results.

Lumen (NYSE: LUMN)

With approximately 350,000 route miles of fiber optic cable spanning North America and the Asia Pacific, Lumen Technologies (NYSE: LUMN) operates a vast fiber optic network that provides communications, cloud connectivity, security, and IT solutions to businesses and consumers.

Lumen reported revenues of $3.04 billion, down 8.7% year on year. This print was in line with analysts’ expectations, and overall, it was a very strong quarter for the company with a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates.

“The combination of a solid fourth quarter and the close of the AT&T transaction marks a defining moment for Lumen and strengthens our foundation for growth,” said Lumen CEO Kate Johnson.

Lumen delivered the slowest revenue growth of the whole group. Unsurprisingly, the stock is down 7.7% since reporting and currently trades at $7.81.

Is now the time to buy Lumen? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Best Q4: Array (NYSE: AD)

Operating as a majority-owned subsidiary of Telephone and Data Systems since its founding in 1983, Array (NYSE: AD) is a regional wireless telecommunications provider serving 4.6 million customers across 21 states with mobile phone, internet, and IoT services.

Array reported revenues of $60.33 million, up 131% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 7%. The business had an incredible quarter with a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ revenue estimates.

Array delivered the biggest analyst estimates beat and fastest revenue growth among its peers. Although it had a fine quarter compared its peers, the market seems unhappy with the results as the stock is down 3.5% since reporting. It currently trades at $48.60.

Is now the time to buy Array? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Globalstar (NASDAQ: GSAT)

Known for powering the emergency SOS feature in newer Apple iPhones, Globalstar (NASDAQ: GSAT) operates a network of low-earth orbit satellites that provide voice and data communications services in remote areas where traditional cellular networks don't reach.

Globalstar reported revenues of $71.96 million, up 17.6% year on year, exceeding analysts’ expectations by 1.9%. Still, it was a softer quarter as it posted full-year revenue guidance missing analysts’ expectations and a significant miss of analysts’ EPS estimates.

Interestingly, the stock is up 26.5% since the results and currently trades at $73.24.

Read our full analysis of Globalstar’s results here.

Cogent (NASDAQ: CCOI)

Operating a massive network spanning 20,000 miles of fiber optic cable and connecting to over 3,200 buildings worldwide, Cogent Communications (NASDAQ: CCOI) provides high-speed Internet access, private network services, and data center colocation to businesses and bandwidth-intensive organizations across 54 countries.

Cogent reported revenues of $240.5 million, down 4.7% year on year. This result came in 1.2% below analysts' expectations. Aside from that, it was a strong quarter as it produced a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates.

The stock is down 18.3% since reporting and currently trades at $21.50.

Read our full, actionable report on Cogent here, it’s free.

Viasat (NASDAQ: VSAT)

Operating a fleet of 23 satellites that orbit the Earth and beam connectivity from space, Viasat (NASDAQ: VSAT) provides satellite-based communications networks and services for airlines, maritime vessels, governments, businesses, and residential customers worldwide.

Viasat reported revenues of $1.16 billion, up 3% year on year. This number missed analysts’ expectations by 1%. Taking a step back, it was still a strong quarter as it recorded a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates.

The stock is up 51.2% since reporting and currently trades at $56.60.

Read our full, actionable report on Viasat here, it’s free.

Market Update

Late in 2025 into early 2026, there was hand wringing around artificial intelligence. For software companies, the fear was that AI would erode pricing power and compress margins as new tools made it easier to replicate what once required expensive enterprise platforms. Crypto investors had their own version of the same anxiety: if AI agents could trade, allocate capital, and manage wallets autonomously, what exactly was the long-term value of today’s crypto infrastructure?

These concerns triggered a noticeable rotation away from these sectors and into safer havens. But markets rarely dwell on one narrative for long. Spring 2026 came, and the focus shifted abruptly from technological disruption to geopolitical risk. The US’ conflict with Iran became the dominant driver of market psychology, and when geopolitics takes center stage, the script changes quickly. Investors stop debating growth rates and start worrying about oil supply, inflation, and global stability.

Want to invest in winners with rock-solid fundamentals? Check out our Strong Momentum Stocks and add them to your watchlist. These companies are poised for growth regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate.