Canaccord: Charter Communications Earnings All About Comcast

This Thursday, analysts at Canaccord Genuity expect Charter Communications, Inc. CHTR to report a solid quarter with strong customer growth. Yet, barring a bad miss or serious outperformance, Canaccord thinks all eyes will remain on Comcast Corporation’s CMCSA acquisition of Time Warner Cable Inc TWC.

The analysts do believe the deal will go through, which will give Charter 1.4 million customers that Comcast and Time Warner will divest, in addition to a 33% stake in another company with 2.5 million subscribers.

With core operations improving and the potential for more consolidation, the analysts maintain a Buy rating and $182 price target – 16 percent premium to the stock. If, ultimately, the Comcast/Time Warner deal falls through, the analysts still believe Charter Communications represents a compelling investment thesis.