** Comcast CMCSA.O reports larger-than-expected quarterly decline in broadband subscribers, falling short of Wall Street estimates on Thursday, as it faces intense competition in a saturated market

** Median PT of 30 brokerages covering the stock is $40 - LSEG

FIRMS SKEPTICAL OF MARKETING EFFORTS PAY-OFF

** J.P. Morgan("neutral," PT: $37) says it does not expect co's revamped marketing effort to stem share losses with broadband subscriptions facing stiff competition from bigger-reach rivals

** Oppenheimer ("outperform," PT: $38) says it is skeptical of Comcast offering price locks and free mobile lines to attract new internet subs, moves that require investment and marketing that will further pressure broadband revenue and cable margins

** "We think CMCSA has a pricing problem and see a difficult path for the company to continue growing cable revenue and margins" - brokerage

** Scotiabank ("sector perform," PT: $44.50) says co's new offensive strategy has potential to reverse broadcast subscriber trends but expects fiber and fixed wireless competitors to match CMCSA's approach

** "We suspect that markets will pick up on any marginal improvement in broadband and likely will bid up the stock in anticipation of a material turnaround." - brokerage adds

** NewStreet Research ("buy," PT: $38) says broadband market growth is slower than expected and losses are expected to increase without market improvement and adverse seasonality

(Reporting by Twesha Dikshit)

((Twesha.Dikshit@thomsonreuters.com))