Jefferies analyst Scott Goldman says CenturyLink's were messy as expected given the mid-quarter Level 3 acquisition closing. Excluding one-time items, the results were generally in-line, as was the guidance, Goldman tells investors in a post-earnings research note titled "A Satisfying Guide, Though Don't be Fooled by the Headlines." He expects the stock to react positively today given the "considerable apprehension" ahead of the guidance. The analyst leaves quarter "slightly more positive" on CenturyLink but keeps a Hold rating on the name with a $17 price target.