Stockholders' Equity

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]

Stockholders' Equity

NOTE 11. STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

We have authorized 10 million preferred shares of AT&T stock, each with a par value of $1.00 per share. Cumulative perpetual preferred shares consist of the following:

•Series A: 48 thousand shares outstanding at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, with a $25,000 per share liquidation preference and a dividend rate of 5.00%.

•Series B: 20 thousand shares outstanding at September 30, 2020 and zero issued and outstanding at December 31, 2019, with a €100,000 per share liquidation preference, and an initial dividend rate of 2.875%, subject to reset beginning on May 1, 2025.

•Series C: 70 thousand shares outstanding at September 30, 2020 and zero issued and outstanding at December 31, 2019, with a $25,000 per share liquidation preference and a dividend rate of 4.75%.

So long as the preferred dividends are declared and paid on a timely basis on each series of preferred shares, there are no limitations on our ability to declare a dividend on or repurchase AT&T common shares. The preferred shares are optionally redeemable by AT&T at the liquidation price generally on or after five years from the issuance date, or upon certain other contingent events.

Telco LLC

In September 2020, we issued $2,000 nonconvertible cumulative preferred interests out of a newly created limited liability company (Telco LLC) that was formed to hold telecommunication-related assets. The preferred interests are entitled to cash distributions, subject to declaration and are included in “Noncontrolling interest” on the consolidated balance sheets.

Members’ equity in Telco LLC consist of (1) member’s interests, which are held by a consolidated subsidiary of AT&T, and (2) preferred interests (Telco preferred interests), which pay an initial preferred distribution of 4.25% annually, subject to declaration, and subject to reset every seven years. Failure to pay distributions on the Telco preferred interests would not limit cash movements between affiliates, or our ability to declare a dividend on or repurchase AT&T shares. We can call the Telco preferred interests at the issue price beginning seven years from the issuance date.

The Telco preferred interests holders have the option to require redemption upon the occurrence of certain contingent events, such as the failure of Telco LLC to pay the preferred distribution for two or more periods or to meet certain other requirements, including a minimum credit rating. If notice is given, all other holders of equal or more subordinate classes of members equity are entitled to receive the same form of consideration payable to the holders of the preferred interests, resulting in a deemed liquidation for accounting purposes.