CenturyLink (CTL) is an effective defensive asset from the telecommunications industry that investors can feel confident in adding to the portfolio. There is potential for CenturyLink to grow while it has been routinely stable in the recent past. It’s making strides to capitalize on opportunities for sustainability in the future.

As the third largest telecom in the country, it’s making acquisitions and decisions to prepare for the evolving developments within tech industries in the next few years. CenturyLink’s success in the future depends on its ability to utilize effective foresight while finding divergent opportunities than top-tier competitors like Verizon (VZ) and AT&T (T). CenturyLink is currently undervalued in the market and has the opportunity to grow with the advancements in the telecommunications and data industries.

CenturyLink’s sales growth is down .92 percent from last quarter but it has increased by over 170 percent from the previous year. Return on equity has been stable around six percent for the last three quarters. Operating margin and net margin have been decreasing marginally for the past three quarters. Price is 16 times earnings and is more than the industry average by just over one percent. Its return on equity and net margin both exceed the industry average. The current ratio is between .5 and one while gross margin and institutional ownership both exceed 55 percent. Generally speaking, the latest financials from CenturyLink paint a positive future for a short and long-term future outlook.To continue reading, click here.