AIGH Capital Fully Exits Lumen Technologies Stake
- Complete Exit: On February 2, 2026, AIGH Capital Management LLC reported a full exit from its Lumen Technologies stake, selling 2.55 million shares for an estimated $15.61 million, indicating potential concerns about Lumen's future amidst ongoing transformation challenges.
- Stock Performance: As of February 1, 2026, Lumen's stock was priced at $8.82, reflecting a 78.5% increase over the past year, significantly outperforming the S&P 500 by 64.2 percentage points, suggesting market optimism about its strategic pivot despite underlying debt issues.
- Strategic Business Shift: Following the $5.75 billion sale of its mass market fiber business to AT&T, Lumen aims to reinvest in new infrastructure, although the costly nature of this transformation raises questions about its long-term profitability and market positioning.
- Debt Burden Concerns: With over $17.6 billion in long-term debt reported in Q3 2025, Lumen faces significant financial challenges, and while the divestiture may alleviate some pressure, the company's ongoing transformation could complicate its recovery and stock performance outlook.
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Market Overview: The broader market remains range-bound and choppy, but communication technology companies tied to AI infrastructure are experiencing significant growth, outperforming traditional sectors like consumer staples and energy.
Ciena's Performance: Ciena, a leader in optical networking equipment, has seen its stock rise nearly 28% year-to-date, driven by strong earnings and a surge in demand for AI-related network upgrades.
Lumentum's Growth: Lumentum, a manufacturer of photonics and laser components, has also reported impressive earnings growth, with revenue surging over 65% year-over-year, highlighting the strong demand for cloud and AI technologies.
Investment Insights: Analysts suggest that despite the current market volatility, there are still opportunities for long-term investors, particularly in companies that are well-positioned to benefit from ongoing AI infrastructure spending.
- CEO's Confidence: Lumen Technologies CEO Kathleen Johnson expressed strong confidence in the company's stock.
- Market Reaction: Following her statement, Lumen's shares surged nearly 30%, reversing a significant selloff.
- Fiber Broadband Investment Returns: AT&T's significant investment in fiber broadband, including a $5.8 billion acquisition of Lumen's fiber business, is expected to expand its coverage to over 40 million customer locations by year-end, a 25% increase from 32 million at the end of 2025, enhancing its competitive position in a saturated market.
- User Growth Potential: The anticipated addition of 8 million users will increase AT&T's broadband customer base from 10.6 million to 13.6 million, representing a 30% growth, providing a new revenue source and growth momentum amid a saturated wireless market.
- Earnings Outlook Improvement: The CFO indicated during the earnings call that adjusted EPS is expected to range between $2.25 and $2.35 in 2026, with a projected double-digit CAGR through 2028, instilling confidence in investors, especially in the current market environment.
- Enhanced Dividend Payment Capacity: With a payout ratio slightly above 50%, the upcoming profit improvements will bolster AT&T's ability to maintain dividend payments and may pave the way for the resumption of annual dividend increases that were suspended in 2022.
- Fiber Expansion: AT&T plans to increase its fiber service coverage from 32 million to 40 million customer locations by the end of 2026, representing a 25% year-over-year growth that will significantly enhance its market share and competitive position.
- Customer Growth Potential: The addition of 8 million new users is expected to boost AT&T's fiber customer base from 10.6 million to 13.6 million, translating to a 30% increase that could generate nearly $3 billion in annual revenue, alleviating pressures from a saturated wireless market.
- Earnings Outlook Improvement: The CFO projects adjusted EPS to range between $2.25 and $2.35 in 2026, with a double-digit CAGR expected over the next three years, indicating growth potential even in a highly competitive market.
- Dividend Payment Capacity Enhancement: With improving profits, AT&T's dividend payout ratio is slightly above 50%, which may allow for the resumption of annual dividend increases that were suspended in 2022, attracting more income-focused investors.
- Fiber Expansion: AT&T aims to increase its fiber service coverage from 32 million to 40 million customer locations by the end of 2026, representing a 25% year-over-year growth that significantly enhances its competitive position in a saturated market.
- Customer Growth Potential: The addition of 8 million new users is expected to boost broadband customers from 10.6 million to 13.6 million, a 30% increase that will further drive revenue, especially given the saturation in the wireless market.
- Revenue Expectations: With fiber customers averaging $73 per month, this could translate into nearly $3 billion in additional annual revenue, strengthening AT&T's profitability and ability to sustain dividend payments.
- Profitability Outlook: The CFO projects adjusted EPS to be in the range of $2.25 to $2.35 by 2026, with a double-digit CAGR expected over the next three years, indicating growth potential for the company in a highly saturated market.
- Stock Recovery: Lumen Technologies' shares surged 29.2% on Friday, marking a significant rebound from the sharp decline following Tuesday's earnings report, indicating renewed market confidence in the company's future prospects.
- CEO Stock Purchase: CEO Kate Johnson capitalized on the post-earnings sell-off by purchasing 78,685 shares at an average price of $6.35, totaling approximately $500,000, reflecting her confidence in the company's turnaround strategy.
- Financial Outlook: While the fourth-quarter adjusted earnings per share exceeded expectations, revenue only met them, with management projecting full-year free cash flow between $1.2 billion and $1.4 billion, including $300 million to $450 million in non-recurring tax refunds.
- Debt Management: Lumen successfully reduced its debt burden by selling its consumer-focused fiber-to-the-home business for $4.8 billion, bringing its debt-to-EBITDA ratio down to 3.8 times, although overall revenue and profit growth remains a critical focus.









