With some analysts souring on tech stocks, the question for investors and watchers of AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) ahead of its Q4 report on January 25 is whether this telecom chameleon (formerly SBC, formerly Southwestern Bell and others, formerly AT&T) can repeat its strong Q3 results. That showing was based primarily on the strength of AT&T's wireless business. And it's still wireless that provides hope in some quarters, specifically AT&T's piece of the brouhaha over Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)'s iPhone. Cingular (soon to be known once more as AT&T Wireless) will be the exclusive service provider for iPhones, which is bound to bring in boatloads of new customers for AT&T.

Some wonder whether giants AT&T and Apple can really get along, however. And the other big AT&T news in these days leading to the Q4 report is its new Unity service, a bundling of mobile and land-line services that is widely seen as an effort to stem the tide of customers going over to the cable providers.

AT&T rates a "buy" recommendation, according the Thomson Financial, with estimated earnings per share at 0.59, compared to 0.63 actual for the previous quarter, and revenue of 21.3 billion. The target price is 37.48 (it closed at 35.07 on Friday). MarketWatch and TheStreet.com agree on the 0.59 estimate, but place the target price at 38.50, with a fiscal 2007 estimate of 2.27 and an "overweight" rating.

Credit Suisse analysts recently raised their target price to $39 and fiscal 2007 earnings estimate to $2.54, as well as maintaining their rating of "outperform," based not only on the iPhone deal, but the completion of the merger with BellSouth as well.

What do you think? Are investors in line for another positive surprise from AT&T?

Also check out some other earnings reports that we're following, and let us know your thoughts on earnings expectations.

Another positive surprise coming from AT&T? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 19 Jan 2007 19:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.