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    What Lumen Technologies (LUMN)'s Media Skepticism Amid Transformation Efforts Means For Shareholders

    Simply Wall St·12/20/2025 12:26:55
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    • Earlier this week, investor caution around Lumen Technologies intensified after CNBC’s Jim Cramer argued the stock had “run too much,” even as the company pursued initiatives like a networking partnership with Meter and expanded cybersecurity capabilities in Asia-Pacific.
    • The mixed message of media skepticism alongside new enterprise-focused offerings highlights the tension between Lumen’s transformation efforts and ongoing concerns over declining revenue and weakening free cash flow.
    • Next, we’ll examine how the cautious media commentary, alongside Lumen’s financial pressures, affects the company’s longer-term investment narrative.

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    Lumen Technologies Investment Narrative Recap

    To own Lumen today, you need to believe its pivot to AI-era fiber, NaaS, and enterprise security can eventually outweigh shrinking legacy revenues and ongoing losses. Cramer’s warning that the stock has “run too much” and the pullback that followed do not materially change the near term catalyst, which is Lumen’s ability to convert its pipeline of hyperscaler and data center contracts into durable revenue, or the key risk around sustained revenue decline and pressured free cash flow.

    Among the recent announcements, the partnership with Meter stands out as most relevant here, because it ties directly into Lumen’s push to monetize its network as an end to end, cloud oriented platform for enterprises. If this type of WAN to LAN offering sees meaningful adoption, it could help improve network utilization and support the broader catalyst of stabilizing EBITDA, even as the company continues to wrestle with legacy product declines and a heavy debt load.

    Yet beneath the product launches and partnerships, investors should also be aware of the ongoing pressure from...

    Read the full narrative on Lumen Technologies (it's free!)

    Lumen Technologies’ narrative projects $11.8 billion revenue and $1.5 billion earnings by 2028.

    Uncover how Lumen Technologies' forecasts yield a $7.23 fair value, a 12% downside to its current price.

    Exploring Other Perspectives

    LUMN 1-Year Stock Price Chart
    LUMN 1-Year Stock Price Chart

    Ten Simply Wall St Community fair value estimates for Lumen span from US$2.00 to US$14.50 per share, reflecting very different expectations. Before you pick a side, remember how prolonged revenue decline in legacy services could still weigh on the company’s ability to turn its AI and enterprise ambitions into sustainable results.

    Explore 10 other fair value estimates on Lumen Technologies - why the stock might be worth less than half the current price!

    Build Your Own Lumen Technologies Narrative

    Disagree with existing narratives? Create your own in under 3 minutes - extraordinary investment returns rarely come from following the herd.

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    This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.