Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

EchoStar Dishes Up Value

By Phil Wohl – Updated Nov 16, 2016 at 4:33PM

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

The second-largest satellite entertainment provider adds 350,000 subscribers.

The trend toward parking ourselves in front of a television and not moving until "natural" needs take over has heightened. As an EchoStar Communications (NASDAQ:DISH) DISH Network subscriber, I have enjoyed the clear sound and picture of satellite television, but I now have even more reason to sit still like a rock.

For months now, I have been enjoying the sounds of Sirius Satellite Radio (NASDAQ:SIRI) on my dish. I click on the commercial-free music programming about as much as I watch reality programs and my favorite new show, Lost. I also discovered (with the help of my son) an arcade-style golf game on Channel 100 the other day; in truth, I shot 83 over par the first round and then improved to a sizzling 61 over the par-72 course.

The key to EchoStar's future is subscriber and market-share growth; in the third quarter, DISH Network added 350,000 subscribers and serviced a total of 10.5 million customers. The company and its main satellite competitor, DirecTV (NYSE:DTV), have been gaining momentum and market share in recent quarters and have been, frankly, making cable operators such as Comcast (NASDAQ:CMCSA) and Cablevision (NYSE:CVC) a little nervous.

The company's results for the third quarter were a mixed bag: Total revenue of $1.86 billion was 28% more than last year's revenue ($1.45 billion) and 2.8% ahead of the consensus estimate of $1.81 billion; and earnings of $0.22 per share widely beat last year's earnings of $0.07 per share but were a cent behind the analysts' consensus estimate of $0.23. EchoStar also announced a one-time stock dividend of $1 per outstanding Class A and Class B common share.

EchoStar has been traditionally categorized as a growth stock, but it appears the winds of valuation have shifted. Trading at only 19 times the 2005 earnings estimate of $1.61 per share, the shares appear to be attractive relative to the company's long-term growth rate of 30%.

Grab a bag of popcorn and a beverage, and click through these other views:

Fool contributor Phil Wohl spent more than 12 years on Wall Street and owns shares of Sirius Satellite Radio.

None

Invest Smarter with The Motley Fool

Join Over 1 Million Premium Members Receiving…

  • New Stock Picks Each Month
  • Detailed Analysis of Companies
  • Model Portfolios
  • Live Streaming During Market Hours
  • And Much More
Get Started Now

Stocks Mentioned

Sirius XM Holdings Inc. Stock Quote
Sirius XM Holdings Inc.
SIRI
$5.81 (-1.02%) $0.06
Comcast Corporation Stock Quote
Comcast Corporation
CMCSA
$31.84 (-1.94%) $0.63
DISH Network Corporation Stock Quote
DISH Network Corporation
DISH
$15.20 (-3.00%) $0.47
DIRECTV, LLC Stock Quote
DIRECTV, LLC
DTV.DL

*Average returns of all recommendations since inception. Cost basis and return based on previous market day close.

Related Articles

Motley Fool Returns

Motley Fool Stock Advisor

Market-beating stocks from our award-winning analyst team.

Stock Advisor Returns
339%
 
S&P 500 Returns
109%

Calculated by average return of all stock recommendations since inception of the Stock Advisor service in February of 2002. Returns as of 09/24/2022.

Discounted offers are only available to new members. Stock Advisor list price is $199 per year.

Premium Investing Services

Invest better with The Motley Fool. Get stock recommendations, portfolio guidance, and more from The Motley Fool's premium services.