Comcast Reports Small Profit in the Face of Regulatory Uncertainty

Uncertainty regarding new strict rules governing the Internet as well as the prospects for its proposed merger with Time Warner Cable hung over Comcast as the media conglomerate reported fourth-quarter profits that were up only slightly compared with the period in 2014. Comcast reported that net income for the quarter that ended Dec. 31 inched up 0.6 percent to $1.9 billion, or 74 cents a share, up from $1.9 billion, or 72 cents a share, during the period in 2014. Total revenue increased 4.8 percent to $17.7 billion, with growth in its broadband and broadcast businesses offsetting advertising weakness at its cable networks.