As 2011 comes to a close, it's a great time to look back at what happened to the stocks that interest you. By making sure you know the important things that a company accomplished -- as well as the setbacks it experienced -- you can make a better decision about whether it's a smart investment for your portfolio.
Today, let's take a look at Alaska Communications
Stats on Alaska Communications
Year-to-Date Stock Return | (58.5%) |
Market Cap | $193 million |
1-Year Revenue Growth | 2% |
Net Loss, Trailing 12 Months | ($3 million) |
Dividend Yield | 20.1% |
CAPS Rating | *** |
Source: S&P Capital IQ.
Why did Alaska Communications plunge this year?
To all appearances, Alaska Communications appears to be a solid company paying reliable dividends. Although the company posted a net loss over the past 12 months, its free cash flow is much healthier at more than $27 million.
But that free cash flow isn't enough to cover the dividend that Alaska Communications is paying out. Just as Frontier Communications
Moreover, the company has been somewhat behind the curve, strategically speaking. As late as 2008, Alaska Communications was making big expenditures to boost fixed-line service. That stands in stark contrast to both big telecoms AT&T
The worst news, however, could be potential competition from Verizon
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