Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) Releases FY 2026 Earnings Guidance

Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) issued an update on its FY 2026 earnings guidance on Friday morning. The company provided earnings per share (EPS) guidance of 4.900-4.950 for the period, compared to the consensus estimate of 4.790. The company issued revenue guidance of -.

Verizon Communications Stock Performance

Shares of VZ stock opened at $44.52 on Friday. Verizon Communications has a 12 month low of $38.39 and a 12 month high of $47.35. The company’s fifty day simple moving average is $40.32 and its 200-day simple moving average is $41.58. The firm has a market cap of $187.70 billion, a PE ratio of 9.51, a P/E/G ratio of 3.80 and a beta of 0.34. The company has a quick ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 0.74 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.19.

Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, January 30th. The cell phone carrier reported $1.09 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.06 by $0.03. Verizon Communications had a net margin of 14.43% and a return on equity of 19.31%. The firm had revenue of $36.38 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $36.20 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.10 EPS. The company’s revenue was up 2.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Verizon Communications has set its FY 2026 guidance at 4.900-4.950 EPS. Equities research analysts expect that Verizon Communications will post 4.69 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Verizon Communications Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 2nd. Investors of record on Monday, January 12th will be issued a dividend of $0.69 per share. This represents a $2.76 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.2%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, January 12th. Verizon Communications’s dividend payout ratio is presently 58.97%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have weighed in on VZ shares. TD Cowen decreased their price target on Verizon Communications from $56.00 to $51.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price objective on Verizon Communications from $49.00 to $47.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, October 30th. KeyCorp restated a “sector weight” rating on shares of Verizon Communications in a report on Monday, January 26th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “hold (c+)” rating on shares of Verizon Communications in a research note on Wednesday, January 21st. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada decreased their price objective on shares of Verizon Communications from $46.00 to $44.00 and set a “sector perform” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have assigned a Buy rating and twelve have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $47.43.

Key Verizon Communications News

Here are the key news stories impacting Verizon Communications this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Q4 beat on EPS and revenue — Verizon reported $1.09 EPS vs. consensus $1.06 and revenue of $36.38B, topping estimates and showing 2% year-over-year revenue growth. Read More.
• Positive Sentiment: Raised FY‑2026 EPS guidance — management set guidance of $4.90–$4.95, above consensus, improving forward earnings visibility and supporting valuation. Read More.
• Positive Sentiment: Strong subscriber momentum — Verizon logged its highest quarterly wireless net adds in years (notably large postpaid phone adds), a primary driver of the upside in revenue and service growth metrics. Read More.
• Positive Sentiment: Capital return program — management outlined a large buyback program (cited in call writeups), which supports EPS and signals confidence in cash flow. Read More.
• Positive Sentiment: Unusual options activity — heavy call buying was reported intraday, consistent with speculative/hedged bullish positioning by some investors. (Options volume report)
• Neutral Sentiment: Operational resilience highlighted — company actions to harden networks for winter storms were noted; supports customer experience but is a longer-term benefit. Read More.
• Neutral Sentiment: Positive media/analyst writeups emphasize value after the beat, framing VZ as an income + growth story for yield-seeking investors. Read More.
• Negative Sentiment: Execution and cost risks called out — deeper analysis warns that aggressive subscriber promotions, the Frontier deal and integration/unit economics could pressure margins and near-term earnings visibility. Read More.
• Negative Sentiment: Analyst target cut — Wells Fargo trimmed its target in a sector reassessment, a reminder that some shops remain cautious on wireless pricing and capital intensity. Read More.
• Negative Sentiment: Dividend-safety concerns re-surfacing — articles questioning sustainability of the ~7% yield could weigh on long-term income-focused demand if cash flow dynamics shift. Read More.
• Negative Sentiment: Minor institutional selling — a small manager reduced its position, noted in filings; not a major red flag but adds to mixed signals. Read More.

Institutional Trading of Verizon Communications

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of VZ. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd bought a new stake in shares of Verizon Communications during the third quarter worth approximately $57,000. Integrated Investment Consultants LLC lifted its holdings in Verizon Communications by 11.0% during the 3rd quarter. Integrated Investment Consultants LLC now owns 7,457 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock worth $328,000 after purchasing an additional 737 shares during the last quarter. Apexium Financial LP lifted its holdings in Verizon Communications by 1.8% during the 3rd quarter. Apexium Financial LP now owns 21,725 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock worth $955,000 after purchasing an additional 393 shares during the last quarter. Hancock Whitney Corp boosted its stake in Verizon Communications by 0.5% in the 3rd quarter. Hancock Whitney Corp now owns 850,379 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock valued at $37,374,000 after purchasing an additional 4,622 shares during the period. Finally, Financial Engines Advisors L.L.C. grew its holdings in Verizon Communications by 8.4% in the 3rd quarter. Financial Engines Advisors L.L.C. now owns 45,777 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock valued at $2,012,000 after buying an additional 3,563 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 62.06% of the company’s stock.

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.