AT&T plans to buy back shares from about 300,000 investors who own fewer than five shares of its stock. So, if granddad bought you a few shares of AT&T for your birthday as a kid, you'll get a check in the mail for that stock shortly after AT&T sells its broadband business to Comcast, expected this month.

But all's not lost for the small-time investor. After the Comcast deal is done, AT&T will initiate a 1-for-5 reverse stock split. Investors can then buy single shares of the stock. The catch: A higher price tag.