Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd raised its stake in shares of Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ – Free Report) by 2.0% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 867,852 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock after purchasing an additional 16,617 shares during the period. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd’s holdings in Verizon Communications were worth $35,348,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.
A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in VZ. Holos Integrated Wealth LLC bought a new stake in Verizon Communications during the fourth quarter worth $28,000. Foster Dykema Cabot & Partners LLC bought a new position in Verizon Communications during the 3rd quarter valued at $29,000. EQ Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in Verizon Communications during the 4th quarter valued at $29,000. Daytona Street Capital LLC purchased a new position in Verizon Communications during the 4th quarter worth $33,000. Finally, Accordant Advisory Group Inc boosted its holdings in Verizon Communications by 152.9% during the 4th quarter. Accordant Advisory Group Inc now owns 827 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock worth $34,000 after acquiring an additional 500 shares during the last quarter. 62.06% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.
Verizon Communications Trading Down 0.5%
NYSE VZ opened at $47.34 on Wednesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $197.68 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.55, a PEG ratio of 1.00 and a beta of 0.24. Verizon Communications Inc. has a one year low of $38.39 and a one year high of $51.68. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.38, a current ratio of 0.64 and a quick ratio of 0.61. The business’s fifty day moving average is $48.91 and its 200-day moving average is $44.10.
Wall Street Analyst Weigh In
Several brokerages have recently commented on VZ. William Blair upgraded shares of Verizon Communications to an “outperform” rating in a report on Monday, February 2nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on shares of Verizon Communications from $49.00 to $52.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Thursday, April 30th. Royal Bank Of Canada upped their price objective on shares of Verizon Communications from $44.00 to $48.00 and gave the stock a “sector perform” rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 3rd. Erste Group Bank reiterated a “hold” rating on shares of Verizon Communications in a research note on Tuesday. Finally, Raymond James Financial reissued an “outperform” rating and set a $56.00 target price on shares of Verizon Communications in a research report on Thursday, March 12th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have given a Buy rating and eleven have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Verizon Communications currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $50.59.
View Our Latest Stock Analysis on VZ
Insider Activity at Verizon Communications
In other Verizon Communications news, SVP Mary-Lee Stillwell sold 8,569 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, March 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $50.00, for a total transaction of $428,450.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 43,782 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,189,100. This represents a 16.37% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director Hans Erik Vestberg sold 200,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $49.61, for a total value of $9,922,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 145,069 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $7,196,873.09. This represents a 57.96% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Company insiders own 0.03% of the company’s stock.
Key Headlines Impacting Verizon Communications
Here are the key news stories impacting Verizon Communications this week:
- Positive Sentiment: Expanded 5G Frontline network slice broadens mission‑critical addressable market (first responders, more devices), reinforcing Verizon’s push into higher‑value public‑sector and enterprise use cases. Verizon Extends 5G Frontline Access As Valuation Gap Draws Attention
- Positive Sentiment: Brokerage consensus remains constructive — “Moderate Buy” consensus from brokerages supports upside expectations from the street. Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) Receives Consensus Rating of “Moderate Buy” from Brokerages
- Positive Sentiment: Analyst takeaways from Verizon’s Q1 call highlighted improved postpaid phone adds, lower acquisition/retention costs and management’s shift toward durable recurring revenue — factors that underpinned the recent positive market reaction to results. 5 Revealing Analyst Questions From Verizon’s Q1 Earnings Call
- Positive Sentiment: Value investors are being reminded of Verizon’s attractively low multiple and steady dividend (high yield vs. peers), which supports long‑term buy arguments amid modest growth. Why Verizon Communications (VZ) is a Top Value Stock for the Long-Term
- Neutral Sentiment: Erste Group reaffirmed a “hold” rating — a neutral stance that suggests limited near‑term catalyst from this particular analyst action. Finviz
- Neutral Sentiment: Coverage pieces comparing Verizon’s dividend to peers (e.g., Nike) highlight Verizon’s strong adjusted earnings growth and yield — useful for income investors but not an immediate stock catalyst. Read More.
- Negative Sentiment: Significant insider selling (roughly US$12m sold over the past year) can signal management/insider hesitancy and weighs on sentiment for some investors. Verizon Communications Insiders Sold US$12m Of Shares Suggesting Hesitancy
- Negative Sentiment: Valuation debate persists: some analysts view VZ as cheap on multiples but raise structural concerns (mix shift, secular wireless trends), which can cap multiple expansion. Verizon Stock: Cheap Multiple, Complicated Story
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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