ProShare Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ – Free Report) by 13.3% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 917,352 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock after buying an additional 107,377 shares during the quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC’s holdings in Verizon Communications were worth $37,364,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.
Several other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Foster Dykema Cabot & Partners LLC bought a new position in Verizon Communications during the 3rd quarter valued at about $29,000. Strengthening Families & Communities LLC grew its holdings in Verizon Communications by 490.0% during the 4th quarter. Strengthening Families & Communities LLC now owns 649 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 539 shares during the last quarter. Holos Integrated Wealth LLC bought a new position in Verizon Communications during the 4th quarter valued at about $28,000. EQ Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in Verizon Communications during the 4th quarter valued at about $29,000. Finally, Richardson Capital Management LLC bought a new position in Verizon Communications during the 3rd quarter valued at about $35,000. 62.06% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.
Insider Buying and Selling
In other news, Director Hans Erik Vestberg sold 200,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $49.61, for a total transaction of $9,922,000.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 145,069 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,196,873.09. This trade represents a 57.96% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, SVP Mary-Lee Stillwell sold 8,569 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $50.00, for a total transaction of $428,450.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president owned 43,782 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,189,100. This represents a 16.37% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. 0.03% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.
Key Headlines Impacting Verizon Communications
- Positive Sentiment: Verizon said it added postpaid phone customers for the first time since 2013, while broadband growth and the Frontier deal are helping retention and supporting the consumer segment. VZ Gains From Solid Traction in the Consumer Segment: Will it Sustain?
- Positive Sentiment: Verizon is being highlighted as an attractive undervalued dividend stock, reinforcing its appeal for income-oriented investors. Is Verizon Communications (VZ) One of the Top 12 Undervalued Dividend Stocks to Buy Now?
- Positive Sentiment: The FCC approved Verizon’s spectrum-related move, and the company is also part of a new satellite-based mobile coverage initiative that could help reduce dead zones and improve network reach over time. T-Mobile US Joins Rivals On Satellite Push To Extend Coverage Story
- Neutral Sentiment: Verizon’s annual Data Breach Investigations Report drew broad media attention, but it is mainly a research publication and not a direct business catalyst for the stock. AI-related data breaches surpass stolen credentials in cyber incidents, Verizon report says
- Neutral Sentiment: Comparisons with AT&T and valuation-focused commentary are keeping Verizon in the spotlight, but these pieces mostly reinforce the company’s steady revenue profile rather than adding a new fundamental catalyst. AT&T vs Verizon. One of These Telecoms Has Raised Its Dividend 20 Straight Times and the Market Is Finally Noticing
- Negative Sentiment: Some market commentary continues to flag Verizon as a potentially risky Dow stock, reflecting lingering concerns about growth and the telecom sector’s maturity. 3 Dow Jones Stocks We Find Risky
Verizon Communications Price Performance
NYSE VZ opened at $47.77 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.38, a quick ratio of 0.61 and a current ratio of 0.64. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $48.31 and its 200-day moving average price is $44.62. Verizon Communications Inc. has a 52-week low of $38.39 and a 52-week high of $51.68. The company has a market cap of $199.45 billion, a PE ratio of 11.65, a P/E/G ratio of 0.98 and a beta of 0.24.
Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ – Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, April 27th. The cell phone carrier reported $1.28 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.21 by $0.07. Verizon Communications had a net margin of 12.46% and a return on equity of 19.25%. The firm had revenue of $34.44 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $34.82 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $1.19 earnings per share. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 2.7% on a year-over-year basis. Verizon Communications has set its FY 2026 guidance at 4.950-4.990 EPS. Sell-side analysts forecast that Verizon Communications Inc. will post 4.96 EPS for the current fiscal year.
Analysts Set New Price Targets
A number of brokerages have commented on VZ. Dbs Bank downgraded shares of Verizon Communications from a “moderate buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 7th. Evercore upped their target price on shares of Verizon Communications from $48.00 to $50.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Monday, February 2nd. Sanford C. Bernstein restated a “market perform” rating and issued a $48.00 target price on shares of Verizon Communications in a research note on Monday, February 2nd. Royal Bank Of Canada upped their target price on shares of Verizon Communications from $44.00 to $48.00 and gave the stock a “sector perform” rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 3rd. Finally, Raymond James Financial restated an “outperform” rating and issued a $56.00 target price on shares of Verizon Communications in a research note on Thursday, March 12th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have issued a Buy rating and eleven have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $50.59.
Check Out Our Latest Research Report on VZ
Verizon Communications Company Profile
Verizon Communications Inc (NYSE: VZ) is a major U.S.-based telecommunications company that provides a broad range of communications and information services. Its operations span consumer and business markets, with core offerings that include wireless voice and data services, fixed-line broadband and fiber-optic services, and enterprise networking solutions. Verizon is headquartered in New York City and operates a nationwide wireless network that supports consumer subscribers as well as business and government customers.
The company’s consumer products include mobile phone plans, unlimited data services, and Fios, its branded fiber-optic internet, television and voice service for homes and small businesses.
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