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Investing.com -- Moody’s Ratings has upgraded T-Mobile USA, Inc.’s backed senior unsecured notes ratings to Baa1 from Baa2, while changing the outlook to stable from positive.
The rating agency also upgraded T-Mobile’s backed senior unsecured bank credit facility rating to Baa1 from Baa2, along with similar upgrades for Sprint Capital Corporation and Sprint LLC. T-Mobile’s Prime-2 short-term backed commercial paper program rating was affirmed.
According to Moody’s, the upgrade reflects T-Mobile’s strong operating performance compared to competitors and expectations for continued improvement in its credit profile. The agency projects T-Mobile’s free cash flow, after dividend payments, will exceed $13 billion by December 31, 2025, approximately 1.5 times higher than projections for AT&T and Verizon.
T-Mobile’s free cash flow-to-debt ratio is expected to reach around 11%, about double that of its major competitors, highlighting its superior cash generation abilities. The company’s retained cash flow to net debt is projected at approximately 25%, compared to around 20% for peers.
The Baa1 rating recognizes T-Mobile’s consistent execution, rising profitability, and expanding free cash flow. Moody’s also factored in management’s commitment to maintaining a net leverage target of 2.5x net debt-to-EBITDA, which translates to Moody’s-adjusted ratios of approximately 3.0x for net debt-to-EBITDA and 3.2x for total debt-to-EBITDA.
Based on this leverage framework and projected earnings growth, Moody’s estimates T-Mobile will have about $19 billion in additional financial capacity for capital allocation by year-end 2027, providing substantial flexibility compared to competitors.
At its September 2024 Investor Day, T-Mobile’s management reaffirmed its commitment to the 2.5x net leverage target while emphasizing flexibility to reduce debt further if needed. This financial capacity exists even after accounting for up to $50 billion in planned shareholder returns and approximately $10 billion in committed M&A capital.
The rating also considers T-Mobile’s valuable spectrum holdings, extensive 5G coverage, and ability to gain market share in a saturated market with limited industry-wide revenue growth.
As of June 30, 2025, T-Mobile’s liquidity included approximately $10.3 billion in cash and marketable securities, full availability under its $7.5 billion revolving credit facility expiring in October 2027, and projected free cash flow exceeding $13 billion for 2025 after dividend payments.
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