Comcast Corporation Reports Q4 Results, Raises Annual Dividend & Commits To Share Buybacks

Shares of Comcast Corporation CMCSA were trading higher by 0.75 percent early Wednesday morning after the company reported its fourth quarter results.

Comcast earned $0.81 per share in the fourth quarter on revenue of $19.08 billion. Wall Street analysts were expecting the company to earn $0.82 per share on revenue of $18.77 billion.

Comcast noted that its Cable Communications revenue rose 5.9 percent and operating cash flow rose 4.6 percent. NBCUniversal revenue rose 13 percent and operating cash increased 8.7 percent.

Customer Relationships increased by 281,000, marking a 57.6 percent increase from the same quarter a year ago.

The company also stated its quarter was marked by the best video customer results in eight years and the best fourth quarter high-speed internet customer results in nine years.

Finally, Comcast's Board of Directors approved an annual 10 percent increase to its dividends to $1.10 per share. The company's Board also authorized an increase to its share buyback program to $10.0 billion, with $5.0 billion be repurchased in 2016.

Brian L. Roberts, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Comcast Corporation said:

"I am exceptionally proud of our results this year, which were driven by strong performances in each of our core businesses. At Comcast Cable, our focus on delivering the most innovative products and improving the customer experience led to fantastic operating metrics, including our best video customer results in nine years, and our best high-speed Internet customer results in eight years. NBCUniversal had a remarkable year, with record-breaking results at both Theme Parks and Film, and continued success at NBC, which was number one in primetime for the second consecutive season. As we enter 2016, the momentum we see across our portfolio is truly exciting. We are executing at the highest level, investing prudently, and energized and focused on driving growth and shareholder value. Underscoring our confidence in our company, we are increasing our dividend by 10% to $1.10 per share and we also plan to repurchase $5.0 billion of our stock this year."