Should I buy Comcast stock in 2025 as a South African investor?

What is Comcast?

Important information about 2024 EBITDA estimate

Note: 2024 EBITDA is estimated by applying a 27.8% margin (2024 adjusted Q4) to annual revenue.

How much is the Comcast stock?

The price of Comcast stock is falling this week. Currently trading at $34.28, the share has slipped by 1.01% over the last 24 hours and lost 2.34% over the past week.

While recent volatility reflects market uncertainty, Comcast's stable dividend and strong fundamentals may appeal to South African investors seeking value and diversification.

Our complete analysis of the Comcast stock

Following an in-depth review of Comcast Corporation’s latest financial results, historical stock performance over the past three years, and a synthesis of financial indicators, technical analysis, and market comparables through proprietary algorithms, Comcast emerges as a key company within the global communications and media sector. Against the backdrop of sector transformation and recent macroeconomic trends, the company stands out due to its operational resilience, forward-looking strategy, and diversified business model. So, why might Comcast stock once again represent a strategic entry point into the communications and technology sector in 2025?

Recent Performance and Market Context

Comcast (NASDAQ: CMCSA) is currently trading at $34.28 (as of 30 May 2025), reflecting a modest intraday decrease of -1.01%. Over the past year, the share price has slipped -9.65% and is down -20.63% over six months, positioning the stock at the lower band of its 52-week range ($31.44 – $45.31). While this recent weakness might superficially suggest caution, it must be contextualised alongside major positive events and a constructive sector backdrop.

Notable recent catalysts include robust quarterly results—highlighted by Q4 2024 revenues up 2.1% year-on-year and a striking 46.6% jump in net income—underscoring strong operational momentum. Strategically, Comcast has announced a 6.5% dividend increase for 2025 (its 17th consecutive annual rise) and a new $15 billion share buyback programme, both signalling management’s confidence in future cash flows and commitment to shareholder returns.

Within the broader telecommunication and media ecosystem, Comcast benefits from multiple secular tailwinds: the ongoing global demand for high-speed connectivity, surging streaming adoption, high-value sports content rights, and the reopening of experiential businesses such as Universal theme parks. With global consumer digital behaviour shifting—even in challenging macroeconomic conditions—leaders in infrastructure, distribution, and IP such as Comcast are consistently positioned to outperform legacy peers.

Technical Analysis

From a technical standpoint, Comcast shares are currently consolidating near firm support, providing an attractive risk/reward entry for disciplined investors. Notably:

• Moving Averages:
• 20-day: $34.70 (sell indication)
• 50-day: $34.84 (sell)
• 100-day: $35.22 (sell)
• 200-day: $37.65 (sell)

While near-term moving averages technically flag caution, the proximity of the current price to the support level at $33.00 indicates that most of the recent downside could be priced in, especially after a period of pronounced underperformance. The RSI (14-day) at 48.94 is neutral—reflecting a market neither overbought nor oversold—while the Williams %R at -70.55 offers a nascent buy signal, suggesting the beginning of a potential reversal from oversold territory.

Momentum indicators, including a slightly negative MACD, point to a market that has recently been through a correction but is finding technical equilibrium. The consensus technical call being “sell” often coincides with points of capitulation, historically creating contrarian opportunities for entry at depressed levels, especially when business fundamentals are strengthening.

Fundamental Analysis

Comcast’s fundamentals point to sustained value creation and operational resilience. For 2024, revenue reached $123.73 billion (+1.8% year-on-year), while adjusted EPS climbed +11.7% to $4.14 and free cash flow held robustly at $12.54 billion. Critically, the business achieved a remarkable +46.6% surge in quarterly net income, highlighting management’s capacity for margin expansion amidst competitive headwinds.

• Current P/E (TTM): 8.44, and forward P/E: 8.09—both imply a distinctly attractive entry multiple relative to global media and telecom benchmarks, which routinely trade at low-to-mid double digit P/Es.
• Dividend yield at 3.85%—reinforced by consistent growth—offers defensive attractiveness for yield-oriented investors.
• Price/Sales (1.08) and Price/Book (1.49) further illustrate a relatively undemanding valuation for a market leader.
• EBITDA margin expansion (Q4 adjusted EBITDA: $8.81 billion, +9.9% YoY) points to strong operating leverage, as does the unbroken chain of annual dividend hikes.

Structurally, Comcast’s competitive moat is multidimensional: it commands the leading U.S. position in broadband and high-speed connectivity, leverages a powerful suite of brands (NBC, Universal, Peacock, Xfinity), and is geographically diversified through Sky in the U.K., Germany, and Italy. This sophistication in portfolio construction allows Comcast to monetize both digital and physical assets across multiple vectors—connectivity, content, distribution, and experience.

Volume and Liquidity

With an average daily volume of 25.6 million shares, Comcast stands out as one of the most liquid stocks in its sector. This robust trading activity underpins market confidence and ensures that new entrants or institutional rebalancing can occur without undue price disruption. The float structure, dominated by class A shares, remains accessible to a diverse investor base, while the high float supports dynamic and fair valuation discovery.

Catalysts and Positive Outlook

Several immediate and longer-term catalysts appear set to underpin Comcast’s prospective revaluation:

• Streaming Growth: Peacock’s 46% YoY revenue increase demonstrates traction in one of the fastest growing sectors, outpacing many competitors. The platform is increasingly well-positioned thanks to exclusive content and cross-platform integration.
• Sports Broadcasting: Recently secured NBA and WNBA rights (11-year agreement beginning 2025-26) are likely to galvanize subscriber and advertising growth, particularly on cross-channel assets.
• Epic Universe Launch: The scheduled summer 2025 opening of Universal’s Epic Universe theme park has significant potential to add incremental cash flows and brand equity.
• Mobile Expansion: Adding 1.2 million mobile lines in 2024 reinforces the connectivity “flywheel” effect, deepening wallet share and consumer stickiness.
• Business Services & Broadband: Commercial connectivity revenues grew 5% in 2024, combining recurring enterprise value with continued capital returns.
• Spin-off Activity: The proposed tax-free spin-off of certain U.S. cable networks may act as a value-unlocking event, allowing investors to re-rate remaining assets and recognize hidden value.

Externally, the communications sector is enjoying renewed investor focus as cloud, AI-driven content, and next-generation networks (such as fibre and 5G) reshape digital infrastructure—a supportive backdrop as Comcast continues to invest strategically.

Investment Strategies

For investors considering timing and portfolio positioning, Comcast offers compelling entry arguments across all horizons:

• Short-Term:
• Current price action near strong multi-year support ($33.00) implies a technical floor.
• Williams %R buy signals and neutral RSI point to an emerging stabilization phase.
• Upcoming events such as the Epic Universe opening and further earnings results may provide short-term upside catalysts.
• Medium-Term:
• The new $15 billion buyback programme adds immediate support, absorbing excess selling and reducing float.
• Dividend growth (annualised yield at 3.85%) presents an attractive income opportunity in a market marked by volatile rates.
• Continued operational outperformance in streaming and business services—evident from double-digit earnings and EBITDA gains—bolster the rationale for holding through 2025’s event cycle.
• Long-Term:
• Comcast’s network scale, international reach (via Sky), and proprietary content assets should support enduring free cash flow generation and dividend growth.
• The company’s innovation in connectivity and strategic pivot toward digital services (notably through Peacock and mobile offerings) address the secular declines in legacy cable.
• Structural advantages in brand, scale, and integration act as moats against disruptive entrants, supporting sustained re-rating potential.
• Ideal Positioning:
• Initiating or expanding a position near established support, especially in anticipation of high-profile catalysts (Epic Universe launch, NBA rights implementation, and potential asset spin-offs), appears supported by both technical patterns and fundamental momentum.

Is It the Right Time to Buy Comcast?

Taken together, Comcast’s current price action represents a rare confluence of opportunity: shares are trading at the lower end of their range and at depressed earnings multiples, just as operating results outperform, dividend growth accelerates, and multiple catalysts approach. The company’s best-in-class free cash flow, sector leadership, and diversified business model not only justify renewed investor interest, but may enable a fresh bullish phase as both internal and external tailwinds align.

While near-term sentiment remains cautious due to sector headwinds, the underlying strengths—robust profitability, consistent shareholder returns, and a clear innovation roadmap—support an optimistic projection. With Wall Street consensus targeting an 18% upside from current levels and the business poised to capitalize on significant growth drivers, Comcast stock seems to represent an excellent opportunity for investors contemplating exposure to global digital infrastructure and media themes.

In summary, those searching for a dynamic, undervalued, and well-governed stock with strong medium- and long-term prospects may find that Comcast stands out as a compelling candidate for both portfolio resilience and potential outperformance as the market reappraises the value of integrated connectivity and content leaders in 2025.

The confluence of technical support, fundamental momentum, shareholder-friendly capital allocation, and emerging sector catalysts make Comcast a stock that firmly warrants close attention—as the next phase of growth and revaluation may be just beginning.

How to buy Comcast stock in South Africa?

Buying Comcast stock online is both straightforward and secure when you go through a regulated broker. Whether you’re a first-time investor or already familiar with markets, you can choose between buying actual Comcast shares (“spot buying”) or trading on their price movements through CFDs (Contracts for Difference). Each method offers its own benefits and risks. Before you decide how to invest, it’s wise to compare the leading South African brokers—a full comparison table is provided further down this page to help you choose.

Spot buying

A cash or “spot” purchase means buying actual Comcast (CMCSA) shares, which you’ll own outright in your investment account. With most South African brokers, you’ll pay a fixed commission per order—often around R120–R200, but some global brokers bill in US dollars (commonly $5–$10 per trade).

Example: Buying Comcast shares

With the current Comcast share price at $34.28, a $1,000 investment (approximately R18,200 at R18.20/USD) minus a $5 brokerage fee would let you purchase about 29 shares ($1,000 – $5 = $995 ➗ $34.28 ≈ 29 shares).

Gain scenario: If the price rises by 10%, your shares would be worth $1,100.

Result: That’s a $100 gross gain, or +10% on your original investment (excluding currency change and taxes).

Trading via CFD

CFDs (Contracts for Difference) allow you to speculate on Comcast’s price without owning the physical shares. Instead, you trade a contract reflecting the share’s price movement, often with leverage. Key costs are the spread (the difference between buy and sell price) and overnight financing charges if you hold the position open more than a day.

Example: Trading Comcast via CFD

Suppose you open a CFD with a $1,000 margin and 5x leverage, giving exposure to $5,000 worth of shares.

Gain scenario: If Comcast rises by 8%, your CFD position gains 40% (8% × 5).

Result: You’d make a $400 gain on your $1,000 stake—excluding fees and overnight costs.

Final advice

Before investing, take time to compare brokers’ fees, minimum deposit requirements and product offerings. The optimal approach—buying shares directly or trading via CFDs—depends on your objectives, risk tolerance, and experience. Use the broker comparison table further down the page to make an informed and confident choice.

Our 7 tips for buying Comcast stock

The latest news about Comcast

Comcast has announced a 6.5% increase in its annual dividend for 2025, marking the 17th consecutive annual increase. This move is particularly relevant for dividend-focused investors in South Africa seeking stable, long-term income from US equities, especially in the current high-inflation environment where reliable foreign-currency dividends can help hedge local currency risk. The new annualized dividend of $1.32 per share offers a yield of 3.85%, positioning Comcast as an attractive income stock relative to many US and local alternatives.

The company’s Q4 2024 earnings significantly exceeded analyst expectations, driven by robust streaming growth and studio performance. Comcast’s revenue climbed to $31.92 billion (up 2.1% year-over-year), with adjusted net income surging by 46.6% and adjusted EPS by almost 14%. Notably, its streaming platform Peacock achieved 46% year-over-year revenue growth, an essential indicator for South African market watchers given the region’s growing appetite for digital content across borderless platforms and the increasing importance of global streaming players.

A $15 billion share repurchase authorization underscores Comcast’s confidence in its long-term value and future profitability. Aggressive buybacks are a strong positive signal for shareholders, including South African institutional investors with exposure to US blue chips, as they can support EPS growth and signal management’s conviction in undervaluation at current levels. This move also improves capital-return dynamics, potentially enhancing total shareholder returns beyond dividends.

Comcast has secured an 11-year NBA/WNBA broadcast contract and continues to invest in premium sports content and global expansion via its Sky business. With sports being a major driver of live content consumption, this long-term deal secures valuable programming through 2036, helping Comcast maintain its appeal in broadcast and streaming. Sky’s established presence in Europe, complemented by global rights to high-profile content like the Olympics, is strategically relevant for South African investors interested in diversified media exposure and positions Comcast as a prominent cross-continental entertainment leader.

Despite sector headwinds, analysts maintain a moderate buy consensus and project an approximate 18% upside for the stock, with a $40.46 mean price target. While the traditional cable segment continues to shrink, analysts remain optimistic due to Comcast’s strong cash generation, ongoing innovation in broadband and wireless, and robust diversification across connectivity, media, and theme parks. For South African fund managers or retail investors tracking the NASDAQ, this analyst sentiment—grounded in confirmed financials and growth catalysts—reinforces Comcast’s standing as a resilient, globally relevant investment.

FAQ

P. Laurore

Finance expert

Co-founder of HelloSafe and holder of a Master's degree in finance, Pauline has recognised expertise in personal finance, which she uses to help users better understand and optimise their financial choices. At HelloSafe, Pauline plays a key role in designing clear, educational content on savings, investments and personal finance. Passionate about financial education, Pauline strives, with every piece of content she oversees, to provide reliable, transparent and unbiased information for independent and informed financial management. To this end, she has tested over 100 trading platforms to help internet users make the right choices.