AT&T sees double-digit revenue growth on DirecTV buy

An AT&T logo and communication equipment is shown on a building in downtown Los Angeles, California October 29, 2014.

/Mike Blake

AT&T Inc, the No.2 U.S. telecom company, said it expected double-digit consolidated revenue growth in percentage terms for the rest of 2015, citing gains from the purchase of DirecTV.AT&T, which closed the acquisition of DirecTV in July, forecast 2015 adjusted profit of $2.62–$2.68 per share.Analysts on average were expecting a profit of $2.60 per share, according to Thomson I/B/E/S.The DirecTv purchase gives AT&T access to new avenues of growth beyond its maturing wireless service. The company has also been expanding its footprint in Mexico, buying the third- and fourth-largest wireless carriers in that country recently. AT&T also said on Wednesday it expected revenues, adjusted earnings and free cash flow to increase through 2018.The wireless carrier said it sees 2015 capital spending of about $21 billion, which includes capitalized interest from spectrum. The company previously forecast capex of about $18 billion. The company's shares fell 2.3 percent at $33.94 in premarket trading. Through Tuesday's close of $34.65, they had risen 3.2 percent this year. (Reporting By Lehar Maan in Bengaluru; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila)