Lumen Technologies, Inc. Common Stock logo

Lumen Technologies, Inc. Common Stock(LUMN)

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EXPLORE ADVISORIES AND THEIR HISTORY
QUALITY SIGNAL
2-STAR RATING
PASS
LAST CLOSE
$4.46
10/19/2026
(24-hour delay)

Advisory History & Simulated Performance *

*as per simulation (see disclosures)
  • ALL
  • 1Y
  • 1M
  • 1W
  • BUY Advisory
  • SELL Advisory (Profit)
  • SELL Advisory (Loss)
  • Profit
  • Loss
  • PASS (Skip)
Upturn Stock price based on last close iconStock price based on last close
Simulated performance—not actual client returns. Excludes advisory subscription fees, trading commissions, and taxes, which would reduce returns. Results depend on calculation assumptions and do not guarantee future outcomes. See Disclosures for full methodology, assumptions, and limitations.

Advisory Performance History (Simulated)Advisory Performance History info

Simulated performance—not actual client returns. Excludes advisory subscription fees, trading commissions, and taxes, which would reduce returns. Results depend on calculation assumptions and do not guarantee future outcomes. See Disclosures for full methodology, assumptions, and limitations.

Upturn Advisory & Investor View for LUMN

10/19/2026: LUMN (2-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.

Lumen Technologies is a global communications company that has transitioned from a traditional telecommunications provider into a fiber-centric enterprise network specialist. The company's primary strength lies in its extensive fiber assets and deep relationships with large corporate and government clients. Its main growth story centers on expanding the Quantum Fiber broadband footprint and capitalizing on the surging demand for high-capacity connectivity driven by AI. However, investors face risks related to a significant debt burden, declining legacy revenue, and the execution challenges of a multi-year turnaround. Lumen is best suited for growth-oriented or turnaround-focused investors who can tolerate high volatility and monitor the progress of debt deleveraging and fiber-based growth.

How to Read the Upturn Advisory

The Upturn Star Rating and the current BUY, SELL, or PASS advisory are generated by Upturn’s AI advisory engine based on proprietary signal analysis, price behavior, advisory history, and historical signal performance.

Company fundamentals, valuation, risks, and news provide supporting context about the business.

Investor Fit

Investor styleFitWhy
Growth investorMixed fitGrowth is currently constrained by the decline of legacy assets, though fiber expansion offers a potential long-term growth story.
Momentum investorMixed fitMomentum is highly dependent on sentiment surrounding the company's turnaround progress and debt management.
Value investorMixed fitThe valuation is often compressed due to debt levels, making it a potential play for investors betting on a successful restructuring.
Dividend investorWeak fitThe company has eliminated its dividend, making it unsuitable for investors seeking current income.
Low-risk investorWeak fitHigh debt levels and operational volatility make this a high-risk equity.

Risk Profile

Risk factorLevelWhy it matters
Price volatilityHighThe stock frequently reacts sharply to news regarding debt restructurings and operational turnaround efforts.
Valuation riskMedium / highMarket pricing is sensitive to interest rates and the company's ability to deleverage its balance sheet.
Competition risk (network & connectivity)HighLumen must compete against larger, well-capitalized incumbents in both enterprise and residential markets.
Business qualityMediumWhile the physical network is an asset, the legacy revenue streams create ongoing structural headwinds.
Dividend incomeLow / noneThere is currently no dividend payout, precluding income generation.
Execution riskHighSuccessful transformation depends heavily on management's ability to execute a complex multi-year strategic plan.

Price Behavior

Steep Decline
PRICE PATH

Steep Decline

The stock price has dropped sharply with strong downward pressure.

Highly Choppy
PRICE STABILITY

Highly Choppy

The stock has experienced frequent, large price swings that make its near-term movement less predictable.

Analysis of Past Performance

Type Stock
Historic Profit 211.94%
Avg. Invested days 24
Today’s Advisory PASS
Upturn Advisory Rating upturn star rating icon
Upturn Advisory Performance Upturn Advisory Performance icon 2.0
Stock Returns Performance Upturn Returns Performance icon 5.0
Upturn Profits based on simulation icon Profits based on simulation
Upturn last close icon Last Close 10/19/2026

Upturn Scorecard

Upturn Star Rating

★★★★★
LUMN receives a 3-star rating, supported by solid analyst coverage. The rating is constrained by weak unit economics, and weak price momentum.

Company Fundamentals

★★★★★
LUMN has moderate overall fundamentals (3 stars), with moderate financial health, soft growth momentum, and strong ownership. In FY2025 versus FY2024, growth and ownership metrics are mixed: negative earnings growth (-3061.8%), soft cash generation (FCF margin 3.0%), negative revenue growth (-5.4%).

Financial Health Rating

★★★★★
LUMN's financial health is supported by solid cash strength, including free-cash-flow generation (3.0% of revenue). Profitability is soft (2 stars), which helps explain the 3-star overall score.

Growth Momentum Score

★★★★★
LUMN's growth profile is soft, with the least-weak measure being revenue growth at -5.4% FY2025 versus FY2024. By comparison, while earnings growth (-3061.8%, negative) and free-cash-flow growth (-66.3%, negative) hold the profile back, so recent growth is not broad-based across the business.

Ownership

★★★★★
Institutional ownership is 72.6% and approximately 92.0% of outstanding shares are publicly tradable, supporting liquidity and institutional participation. Insider ownership of 8.03% supports management-shareholder alignment.

Top 5 Institutional Investors

BlackRock Inc 13.79%
Vanguard Portfolio Management, LLC 5.96%
State Street Corp 4.65%
FMR Inc 4.39%
Vanguard Capital Management, LLC 4.08%

Unit Economics (Per $1K Revenue)

★★★★★
LUMN generates approximately $465 of gross profit, $-65 of operating income, and $30 of free cash flow for every $1,000 of revenue. Based on FY2025 results. Operating losses explain the 1-star rating, with weak cash conversion and weak capital efficiency.

Economic Dimensions

★★★★★
Effective Tax Rate: 35.97%

Quantitative Style Profile

★★★★★
LUMN has a liquid profile. Weak momentum is the primary drawback, while elevated volatility.

Style Classification

Quality Focused

Value-OrientedHigh VolatilitySmall / Mid Cap RiskShort Squeeze RiskHighly Liquid / Institution-Friendly

Key Highlights

Company Size Mid-Cap Stock
Market Capitalization 4.80B USD
Price to earnings Ratio -
1Y Target Price 7.49
Price to earnings Ratio -
1Y Target Price 7.49
Volume (30-day avg) 14.7M shares
Beta 1.86
52 Weeks Range 4.38 - 11.95
Updated Date 10/18/2026
52 Weeks Range 4.38 - 11.95
Updated Date 10/18/2026
Dividends yield (FY) -
Basic EPS (TTM) -1.02

How Company Makes Money

Business areaWhat it includesRetail investor read
Enterprise NetworkingConnectivity, security, and cloud solutions for large organizations.This is the core business; its health depends on corporate IT spending and demand for high-speed connectivity.
Mass Markets (Fiber)Quantum Fiber broadband services for residential consumers.This segment is the primary growth driver for the consumer side of the house.

Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth

Revenue by Products

Product revenue - Year on Year

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Valuation

Trailing PE -
Forward PE 98.04
Enterprise Value 17.94B
Price to Sales(TTM) 0.41
Enterprise Value 17.94B
Price to Sales(TTM) 0.41
Enterprise Value to Revenue 1.52
Enterprise Value to EBITDA 7.78
Shares Outstanding 1.03B
Shares Floating 948.50M
Shares Outstanding 1.03B
Shares Floating 948.50M
Percent Insiders 8.03
Percent Institutions 72.58

Financial Metrics

🧭 Investment Snapshot

Total Revenue (Scale)

Information icon Total money earned from selling products or services before any costs. It is needed to understand the scale of the business and its ability to generate income.

Net Income (Profit)

Information icon Final profit after all expenses, interest, and taxes are deducted. It is needed to determine the overall profitability available to shareholders.

Free Cash Flow (Cash Strength)

Information icon Cash remaining after operating activities and capital expenditures, showing cash available for growth. It is needed to evaluate the company’s ability to invest, pay dividends, or reduce debt.

📈 Growth & Strength

Operating Income (Core Profit)

Information icon Profit from core operations after deducting all operating expenses. It is needed to measure how efficiently the company runs its primary business activities.

EBITDA (Cash Earnings)

Information icon Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, indicating operating cash potential. It is needed to compare operating performance across companies without accounting or financing differences.

Gross Profit (Unit Profitability)

Information icon Revenue minus cost of revenue, showing profit after direct production costs. It is needed to evaluate core business profitability before overhead expenses.

🛡️ Financial Safety

Cash (Liquidity Buffer)

Information icon Total cash and cash equivalents on hand. It is needed to evaluate immediate liquidity and financial flexibility.

Total Debt (Leverage Risk)

Information icon Total debt including both short-term and long-term components. It is needed to assess the company’s leverage and financial risk.

Net Working Capital (Short-Term Health)

Information icon Current assets minus current liabilities, indicating short-term liquidity strength. It is needed to assess whether the company can meet its short-term obligations.

🧱 Balance Sheet Strength

Stockholder Equity (Net Worth)

Information icon Total equity value held by shareholders. It is needed to understand the net worth of the company from the owners’ perspective.

Total Assets (Asset Base)

Information icon The full value of everything the company owns, including cash, inventory, equipment, and investments. It is needed to understand the resource base used to generate revenue.

Income Before Tax (Pre-Tax Earnings)

Information icon Income before provision for income taxes. It is needed to analyze profitability independent of tax structures.

⚙️ Cost & Drag Factors

Cost of Revenue (Production Cost)

Information icon Direct costs required to produce and deliver the products or services sold. It is needed to assess efficiency in production and service delivery.

Total Operating Expenses (Operating Cost)

Information icon Indirect costs of running the business such as salaries, marketing, and administration. It is needed to understand how much it costs to sustain ongoing business operations.

Income Tax Expense (Tax Drag)

Information icon Amount of taxes paid or payable to the government. It is needed to evaluate the impact of taxation on overall profitability.

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