Why Atlantic Tele-Network Soared

Although we don't believe in timing the market or panicking over market movements, we do like to keep an eye on big changes -- just in case they're material to our investing thesis.

What: Shares of Atlantic Tele-Network (NAS: ATNI) , a wireless and wire-line provider in North America, Bermuda, and the Caribbean, soared as much as 25% following better-than-expected first-quarter earnings results.

So what: Despite a 3% decline in total revenue due to higher U.S. wireless customer attrition, Atlantic Tele-Network was able to muster strong international growth and U.S. wholesale growth to push its operating income up 75% year-over-year and produce $0.60 in EPS. This handily beat the $0.46 consensus EPS estimate. On top of this, brokerage firm Stephens upgraded the company to overweight from equal weight and raised its price target to $46 from $43 based on the improving wireless metrics noted in its quarterly report.

Now what: This was a very mixed report and I can't say I'm all that impressed with Atlantic Tele-Network. Perhaps the most exciting aspect was not the figures at all, but the fact that it soon will be partnering with Wal-Mart (NYS: WMT) as one of its wholesalers. Still, I find the attrition rate among its U.S. wireless business to be worrisome, as well as its lack of revenue growth. There's only so much cost-cutting a company can do before you can no longer mask stagnant growth. At nearly 17 times forward earnings, I'd pass here.

Craving more input? Start by adding Atlantic Tele-Network to your free and personalized watchlist so you can keep up on the latest news with the company.

At the time thisarticle was published Fool contributor Sean Williams has no material interest in any companies mentioned in this article. You can follow him on CAPS under the screen name TMFUltraLong, track every pick he makes under the screen name TrackUltraLong, and check him out on Twitter, where he goes by the handle @TMFUltraLong.Motley Fool newsletter services have recommended creating a diagonal call position in Wal-Mart. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools don't all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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