Zacks Industry Outlook Spotlights CommScope, IHS Holding, and Bandwidth
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Dec 10 2025
0mins
Should l Buy IHS?
Source: NASDAQ.COM
Industry Overview: The Zacks Communication - Infrastructure industry is experiencing growth due to increased demand for digital innovations, fiber densification, and 5G deployment, despite facing challenges like high capital expenditures and supply chain disruptions.
Key Players: Companies such as CommScope, IHS Holding, and Bandwidth are well-positioned to benefit from the demand for scalable infrastructure, with each showing significant stock performance and positive earnings outlooks.
Market Performance: The Communication - Infrastructure industry has outperformed both the S&P 500 and the broader Computer and Technology sector over the past year, with a notable 113.9% increase compared to the S&P 500's 16.3% growth.
Future Prospects: The industry is focusing on network convergence and cloud transition, while also addressing challenges like chip shortages and geopolitical tensions, indicating a complex but promising future for communication infrastructure investments.
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Analyst Views on IHS
Wall Street analysts forecast IHS stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for IHS is 11.00 USD with a low forecast of 6.00 USD and a high forecast of 17.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
4 Analyst Rating
3 Buy
0 Hold
1 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 7.830
Low
6.00
Averages
11.00
High
17.00
Current: 7.830
Low
6.00
Averages
11.00
High
17.00
About IHS
IHS Holding Limited is an independent owner, operator and developer of shared communications infrastructure by tower count and is an independent multinational tower company solely focused on the emerging markets. The Company provides a range of communications infrastructure solutions and managed services, including colocation and lease amendments, new sites, inbuilding solutions, small cells, fiber connectivity and rural telephony. The Company’s customers include mobile network operators (MNOs), Internet service providers, broadcasters, security functions and private corporations needing point-to-point secure communications. Its lease amendment services involve installing additional equipment or providing ancillary services for existing customers at existing towers. The Company has approximately 37,000 towers across its seven markets, including Brazil, Cameroon, Colombia, Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria, South Africa, and Zambia.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
IHS Towers in Talks with MTN Group for Potential Acquisition
- Ongoing Acquisition Talks: IHS Towers confirms non-binding discussions with MTN Group regarding a potential acquisition of all remaining shares, although no agreement has been reached and final terms remain uncertain.
- Strong Market Position: As one of the largest independent developers of shared communications infrastructure globally, IHS Towers operates over 37,000 towers across seven emerging markets, underscoring its significant industry presence.
- Investor Caution: The company warns investors that all forward-looking statements carry inherent uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from expectations, urging caution in reliance on such statements.
- Future Outlook: While current negotiations may not lead to a transaction, IHS Towers remains committed to expanding in emerging markets, potentially enhancing its market share through strategic acquisitions.
See More
IHS Towers in Talks with MTN Group for Potential Acquisition
- Acquisition Negotiations: IHS Towers confirms ongoing non-binding discussions with MTN Group regarding a potential acquisition of all remaining shares, although no agreement has been reached and terms remain uncertain, which could impact the company's future shareholder structure and market positioning.
- Market Position: As one of the largest independent developers of shared communications infrastructure globally, IHS Towers operates over 37,000 towers across seven markets, primarily in emerging markets, highlighting its significance and potential attractiveness in the industry.
- Investor Caution: The company warns investors about the risks associated with forward-looking statements, emphasizing that actual future results may differ significantly from expectations, advising shareholders to consider relevant information carefully when making investment decisions.
- Transparency Efforts: By issuing this statement, IHS Towers ensures that shareholders and the market are informed about the acquisition discussions, reflecting the company's commitment to transparency and communication, aimed at enhancing investor confidence.
See More
Bullish Investment Thesis on IHS Holding Limited
- Strong Market Performance: As of January 29, IHS Holding Limited's shares traded at $8.00 with a trailing P/E of 5.76, indicating its attractiveness among peers, especially with a 5x EV/EBITDA valuation that highlights significant market potential in Africa and South America.
- Currency Volatility Impact Easing: Although the 75% devaluation of the Nigerian Naira in 2023-24 previously pressured performance, the Naira's appreciation of over 13% in the past year provides favorable conditions for IHS's financial performance, which is expected to drive future revenue growth.
- Operational Efficiency Improvement: IHS achieved record adjusted free cash flow margins of 27.3% with leaner administrative costs, coupled with data usage projected to grow at a 21.2% CAGR through 2029, further driving demand for tower space.
- Future Growth Potential: Management anticipates revenues reaching $2.8 billion by 2029 with adjusted free cash flow of $798 million, implying a target share price of $28.50 from the current ~$7, offering over 300% upside, showcasing the attractiveness of long-term investment.
See More
Sphere Entertainment Leads Short Interest at 23.74%, EchoStar at 15.64%
- Short Interest Ranking: As of December 31, 2025, Sphere Entertainment leads the communications services sector with a short interest of 23.74%, indicating market concerns about its future performance, which may impact its stock price stability.
- EchoStar's Position: EchoStar follows with a short interest of 15.64%, and despite its market capitalization exceeding $2 billion, the cautious market sentiment may limit its stock price upside, reflecting a lack of confidence in the sector's outlook.
- Rating Analysis: Seeking Alpha assigns a Hold rating (3.43) to Sphere Entertainment, while EchoStar also receives a Hold rating; however, both stocks are rated Buy by Wall Street analysts, suggesting expectations for potential rebounds despite short-term pressures.
- Sector Performance Comparison: In 2022, the S&P 500 communications services sector rose by 21%, significantly outperforming the broader market's 17% increase, indicating that while individual stocks face shorting pressures, the overall industry demonstrates strong growth potential.
See More
Analysts Upgrade Earnings Outlook for Communication Services, Angel Studios and Others Rated A+
- Earnings Upgrades: As earnings season approaches, analysts have positively revised earnings expectations for communication services companies, with Angel Studios (ANGX) receiving an A+ EPS Revision Grade, indicating growing market confidence in its near-term performance.
- Strong Small-Cap Performance: EverQuote (EVER), Grindr (GRND), and ZoomInfo Technologies (GTM) also achieved A+ EPS Revision Grades, suggesting that these mid- and small-cap communication services firms possess robust growth potential, likely attracting increased investor interest.
- Increased Market Confidence: IHS Holding (IHS), JOYY (JOYY), and Manchester United (MANU) also received A+ EPS Revision Grades, reflecting analysts' optimistic outlook on their profitability and market performance, which may drive their stock prices higher.
- Positive Industry Outlook: Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri (TKC), Uniti Group (UNIT), and Anterix (ATEX) also excelled in EPS Revision Grades, highlighting the growth potential within the communication services sector, presenting investment opportunities for investors to consider.
See More
S&P 500 Communication Services Sector Surges Over 21% in 2025
- Sector Performance: In 2025, the S&P 500 Communication Services sector surged over 21%, making it the second-best performing sector, significantly outperforming the broader S&P 500 Index's nearly 17% growth, indicating resilience amid economic uncertainty.
- Investment Trends: Despite only a 0.9% growth in the fourth quarter compared to the S&P 500's 2%, investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure continued to attract investor attention, reflecting ongoing confidence in technological innovation.
- Quant Rating Overview: According to Seeking Alpha's Quant Rating system, the Communication Services sector has an average health score of 3.10 among 107 stocks with market capitalizations above $2 billion, with 15 stocks rated as Buy or higher, indicating strong investment potential in the sector.
- Stock Performance Disparities: Ahead of the upcoming earnings season, stocks like IHS Holding, Deutsche Telekom, and Walt Disney received quant ratings above 4.50, driven by profitability and momentum, while low-rated stocks like Rumble and Rightmove showed significant declines in valuation.
See More
IHS Towers in Talks with MTN Group for Potential Acquisition
- Ongoing Acquisition Talks: IHS Towers confirms non-binding discussions with MTN Group regarding a potential acquisition of all remaining shares, although no agreement has been reached and final terms remain uncertain.
- Strong Market Position: As one of the largest independent developers of shared communications infrastructure globally, IHS Towers operates over 37,000 towers across seven emerging markets, underscoring its significant industry presence.
- Investor Caution: The company warns investors that all forward-looking statements carry inherent uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from expectations, urging caution in reliance on such statements.
- Future Outlook: While current negotiations may not lead to a transaction, IHS Towers remains committed to expanding in emerging markets, potentially enhancing its market share through strategic acquisitions.
See More
IHS Towers in Talks with MTN Group for Potential Acquisition
- Acquisition Negotiations: IHS Towers confirms ongoing non-binding discussions with MTN Group regarding a potential acquisition of all remaining shares, although no agreement has been reached and terms remain uncertain, which could impact the company's future shareholder structure and market positioning.
- Market Position: As one of the largest independent developers of shared communications infrastructure globally, IHS Towers operates over 37,000 towers across seven markets, primarily in emerging markets, highlighting its significance and potential attractiveness in the industry.
- Investor Caution: The company warns investors about the risks associated with forward-looking statements, emphasizing that actual future results may differ significantly from expectations, advising shareholders to consider relevant information carefully when making investment decisions.
- Transparency Efforts: By issuing this statement, IHS Towers ensures that shareholders and the market are informed about the acquisition discussions, reflecting the company's commitment to transparency and communication, aimed at enhancing investor confidence.
See More
Bullish Investment Thesis on IHS Holding Limited
- Strong Market Performance: As of January 29, IHS Holding Limited's shares traded at $8.00 with a trailing P/E of 5.76, indicating its attractiveness among peers, especially with a 5x EV/EBITDA valuation that highlights significant market potential in Africa and South America.
- Currency Volatility Impact Easing: Although the 75% devaluation of the Nigerian Naira in 2023-24 previously pressured performance, the Naira's appreciation of over 13% in the past year provides favorable conditions for IHS's financial performance, which is expected to drive future revenue growth.
- Operational Efficiency Improvement: IHS achieved record adjusted free cash flow margins of 27.3% with leaner administrative costs, coupled with data usage projected to grow at a 21.2% CAGR through 2029, further driving demand for tower space.
- Future Growth Potential: Management anticipates revenues reaching $2.8 billion by 2029 with adjusted free cash flow of $798 million, implying a target share price of $28.50 from the current ~$7, offering over 300% upside, showcasing the attractiveness of long-term investment.
See More
Sphere Entertainment Leads Short Interest at 23.74%, EchoStar at 15.64%
- Short Interest Ranking: As of December 31, 2025, Sphere Entertainment leads the communications services sector with a short interest of 23.74%, indicating market concerns about its future performance, which may impact its stock price stability.
- EchoStar's Position: EchoStar follows with a short interest of 15.64%, and despite its market capitalization exceeding $2 billion, the cautious market sentiment may limit its stock price upside, reflecting a lack of confidence in the sector's outlook.
- Rating Analysis: Seeking Alpha assigns a Hold rating (3.43) to Sphere Entertainment, while EchoStar also receives a Hold rating; however, both stocks are rated Buy by Wall Street analysts, suggesting expectations for potential rebounds despite short-term pressures.
- Sector Performance Comparison: In 2022, the S&P 500 communications services sector rose by 21%, significantly outperforming the broader market's 17% increase, indicating that while individual stocks face shorting pressures, the overall industry demonstrates strong growth potential.
See More
Analysts Upgrade Earnings Outlook for Communication Services, Angel Studios and Others Rated A+
- Earnings Upgrades: As earnings season approaches, analysts have positively revised earnings expectations for communication services companies, with Angel Studios (ANGX) receiving an A+ EPS Revision Grade, indicating growing market confidence in its near-term performance.
- Strong Small-Cap Performance: EverQuote (EVER), Grindr (GRND), and ZoomInfo Technologies (GTM) also achieved A+ EPS Revision Grades, suggesting that these mid- and small-cap communication services firms possess robust growth potential, likely attracting increased investor interest.
- Increased Market Confidence: IHS Holding (IHS), JOYY (JOYY), and Manchester United (MANU) also received A+ EPS Revision Grades, reflecting analysts' optimistic outlook on their profitability and market performance, which may drive their stock prices higher.
- Positive Industry Outlook: Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri (TKC), Uniti Group (UNIT), and Anterix (ATEX) also excelled in EPS Revision Grades, highlighting the growth potential within the communication services sector, presenting investment opportunities for investors to consider.
See More
S&P 500 Communication Services Sector Surges Over 21% in 2025
- Sector Performance: In 2025, the S&P 500 Communication Services sector surged over 21%, making it the second-best performing sector, significantly outperforming the broader S&P 500 Index's nearly 17% growth, indicating resilience amid economic uncertainty.
- Investment Trends: Despite only a 0.9% growth in the fourth quarter compared to the S&P 500's 2%, investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure continued to attract investor attention, reflecting ongoing confidence in technological innovation.
- Quant Rating Overview: According to Seeking Alpha's Quant Rating system, the Communication Services sector has an average health score of 3.10 among 107 stocks with market capitalizations above $2 billion, with 15 stocks rated as Buy or higher, indicating strong investment potential in the sector.
- Stock Performance Disparities: Ahead of the upcoming earnings season, stocks like IHS Holding, Deutsche Telekom, and Walt Disney received quant ratings above 4.50, driven by profitability and momentum, while low-rated stocks like Rumble and Rightmove showed significant declines in valuation.
See More
