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Comcast Has Limited Upside Potential Amid Broadband Competition, Deutsche Bank Says

-- Comcast's (CMCSA) share price has limited upside potential from here on out amid a challenging competitive environment for broadband, Deutsche Bank said in a note emailed Friday.

The brokerage downgraded its rating on Comcast's stock to hold from buy and reduced the 12-month price target to $34 from $35.

The media and connectivity giant's share price plunged 13% to $27.56 on Friday, a day after stronger-than-expected first-quarter results drove a a 7.7% rise. The stock logged a 6.1% gain in the week starting April 12.

Deutsche Bank sees "limited upside" to reach the $34 price target, given recent stock price appreciation, Analyst Bryan Kraft said. The strong first-quarter performance is unlikely to be "fully repeatable over the next few quarters," Kraft said.

The brokerage said that broadband competition is intensifying as telecommunication providers AT&T (T) and Verizon (VZ) expand their fiber networks, while low Earth orbit satellite constellations seek to gain market share.

Additionally, mobile network operators are purchasing more spectrum to increase capacity and grow their fixed wireless subscriber bases, Kraft wrote.

Comcast's first-quarter results were driven by a $2.2 billion boost from the Milan Cortina Olympics and Super Bowl LX. The company's first-quarter revenue increased 5.3% annually to $31.46 billion.

"We believe valuation is now at a fair level given what we see as a muted growth outlook over the next few years in both consolidated (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) and (free cash flow)," Kraft added.

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