Charter Communications (CHTR) is higher on April 23, 2026 as markets shift into earnings-positioning mode ahead of the company’s first-quarter 2026 results, scheduled for release before the market opens on Friday, April 24, 2026, followed by a morning webcast. With the stock coming off a multi-month drawdown and sentiment tied closely to broadband net adds, the setup has attracted tactical buying into the print.

In the options market, pricing indicates traders are braced for an outsized move around the earnings release, a backdrop that can amplify the underlying stock’s day-ahead momentum as hedges are established and repositioned. This dynamic often results in directional flows even before any new fundamental information is released, particularly in names where the market is split on subscriber trends and free-cash-flow resilience.

The key swing factors are broadband and video subscriber trends, pricing/ARPU trajectory, and any commentary on capital allocation (especially share repurchases) versus leverage management. Investors will also parse any updates on integration planning and regulatory timing for Charter’s pending Cox combination, given its implications for scale, competitive positioning, and balance-sheet flexibility.

The next catalyst is the Q1 2026 release before the open on April 24, 2026 and management’s webcast the same morning. A move of this size the day before earnings raises the bar for the print; guidance tone, subscriber momentum, and buyback commentary are likely to determine whether the rally holds or reverses.