Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ – Get Free Report) shares were up 1.3% during trading on Thursday. The company traded as high as $46.55 and last traded at $46.3440. 19,473,273 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 28% from the average daily volume of 26,933,293 shares. The stock had previously closed at $45.77.
Trending Headlines about Verizon Communications
Here are the key news stories impacting Verizon Communications this week:
- Positive Sentiment: Verizon joined AT&T and T-Mobile in a wireless venture aimed at reducing coverage gaps in rural areas and remote travel corridors. The initiative could improve network reach, emergency communications and future satellite/direct-to-device services, potentially strengthening Verizon’s long-term competitive position. Verizon Communications Joins Wireless Venture To Close U.S. Coverage Gaps
- Positive Sentiment: Investors continue to view Verizon as a potentially attractive income stock as higher interest rates pressure telecom and other high-yield sectors. Verizon’s quarterly dividend of $0.7075 per share represents an annualized payout of $2.83 and a yield of about 6.2%, supporting demand from value and income-oriented investors. 3 U.S. Dividend Stocks for Higher Rates Including Verizon
- Neutral Sentiment: Former Verizon Chairman and CEO Hans Vestberg joined Humanitas AI as a senior adviser and investor. The appointment may enhance Vestberg’s profile in the AI infrastructure sector, but it does not appear to have a direct financial impact on Verizon. Former Verizon Chairman and CEO Hans Vestberg Joins Humanitas
- Neutral Sentiment: Verizon is preparing network assets and emergency crews ahead of Tropical Storm Isaias. The response should protect service reliability and public-safety communications, though storm-related deployment and repair costs could create modest operating pressure. Verizon Readies Network for Tropical Storm Isaias
- Negative Sentiment: The FCC’s approval of a path for SpaceX to provide direct-to-phone satellite service increases the competitive threat to Verizon and other wireless carriers. Satellite connectivity could reduce carriers’ control over service in remote areas and require additional network investment or strategic partnerships. SpaceX Gets Permission to Compete With AT&T and Verizon From Orbit
- Negative Sentiment: CEO Kyle Malady sold 1,100 shares worth approximately $50,325 under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 plan. The sale reduced his holdings by only about 1%, making it a limited signal, but repeated insider sales may add modest pressure. Verizon CEO Sells 1,100 Shares
Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth
A number of equities analysts have issued reports on the company. TD Cowen increased their price objective on Verizon Communications from $54.00 to $56.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, July 27th. BNP Paribas Exane reduced their target price on shares of Verizon Communications from $46.00 to $44.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, July 14th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Verizon Communications in a research note on Wednesday, August 26th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on shares of Verizon Communications from $43.00 to $47.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Monday, July 27th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada boosted their price objective on shares of Verizon Communications from $46.00 to $47.00 and gave the stock a “sector perform” rating in a research note on Monday, July 27th. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and twelve have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Verizon Communications currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $50.90.
Verizon Communications Trading Up 1.3%
The company has a market cap of $192.55 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.07, a PEG ratio of 1.56 and a beta of 0.26. The stock’s 50 day moving average is $48.28 and its 200-day moving average is $47.13. The company has a current ratio of 0.60, a quick ratio of 0.57 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.36.
Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ – Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, July 24th. The cell phone carrier reported $1.30 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.27 by $0.03. The business had revenue of $34.25 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $35.16 billion. Verizon Communications had a net margin of 11.64% and a return on equity of 19.48%. Verizon Communications’s revenue was down .7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business earned $1.22 EPS. Verizon Communications has set its FY 2026 guidance at 4.990-5.040 EPS. Research analysts anticipate that Verizon Communications Inc. will post 5.03 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.
Verizon Communications Announces Dividend
The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, November 2nd. Stockholders of record on Friday, October 9th will be issued a dividend of $0.7075 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, October 9th. This represents a $2.83 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.1%. Verizon Communications’s dividend payout ratio is presently 73.70%.
Insider Buying and Selling at Verizon Communications
In related news, CEO Kyle Malady sold 1,100 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, October 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $45.75, for a total value of $50,325.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 102,166 shares in the company, valued at $4,674,094.50. The trade was a 1.07% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Insiders have sold a total of 7,700 shares of company stock worth $372,922 over the last ninety days. 0.03% of the stock is owned by company insiders.
Hedge Funds Weigh In On Verizon Communications
Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Gill Capital Partners LLC increased its holdings in shares of Verizon Communications by 74.6% in the 2nd quarter. Gill Capital Partners LLC now owns 620 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 265 shares in the last quarter. Robinswood Financial LLC bought a new position in shares of Verizon Communications during the first quarter valued at $27,000. Lam Group Inc. bought a new position in shares of Verizon Communications during the first quarter valued at $28,000. Bare Financial Services Inc boosted its position in shares of Verizon Communications by 37.4% during the second quarter. Bare Financial Services Inc now owns 841 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock valued at $36,000 after buying an additional 229 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Frazier Financial Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Verizon Communications by 32.7% during the first quarter. Frazier Financial Advisors LLC now owns 888 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock valued at $45,000 after buying an additional 219 shares during the last quarter. 62.06% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.
About Verizon Communications
Verizon Communications Inc is a telecommunications company headquartered in New York City and listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol VZ. The company was formed in 2000 through the merger of Bell Atlantic and GTE and has developed into one of the largest communications providers in the United States.
Verizon’s consumer business provides wireless voice and data services, smartphones and other connected devices, home internet, broadband, and related communications products.
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