Company Update (NYSE:CTL): When Will CenturyLink’s Data Center Transaction Be Finalized?

[Market Realist] – CenturyLink (CTL) has initiated a strategic review to decide on the future of its data center and collocation assets. Read more on this. CenturyLink, Inc. (CTL) , with a current value of $15.46B, began trading this morning at $28.79. Looking at today’s market, CTL one day range is $28.26 to $28.82 and has traded between $21.94 and $35.13 over the past 12 months. CTL shares are currently priced at 11.02x this year’s forecasted earnings, which makes them relatively inexpensive compared to the industry’s 16.51x earnings multiple for the same period. And for those looking to make a return holding the stock, the company pays shareholders $2.16 per share annually in dividends, yielding 7.57%. According to a consensus of 15 analysts, the earnings estimate of $0.60 per share would be $0.05 better than the year-ago quarter and a $0.04 sequential decrease. Investors should also note that the full-year EPS estimate of $2.59 is a $0.12 worse when compared to the previous year’s annual results. The quarterly earnings estimate is based on a consensus revenue forecast of the current quarter of $4.39 Billion. If realized, that would be a 0.68% decrease over the year-ago quarter. Recently, Wells Fargo downgraded CTL from Outperform to Market Perform (May 3, 2016). Previously, Jefferies downgraded CTL from Hold to Underperform. Investors should keep in mind is that the average price target is $29.93, which is 3.96% above where the stock opened this morning. See more in (NYSE:CTL) Similar Articles: Company Update: CenturyLink Inc (NYSE:CTL) – CenturyLink joins G2G Marketplace, a technology procurement center for U.S. state and local government agencies Market Update (NYSE:CTL): CenturyLink continues to invest in data center expansion and secure Uptime Institute certifications across global footprint Company Update: CenturyLink Inc (NYSE:CTL) – CenturyLink Development Center opens in St. Louis