Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) Stock Price Down 1.5% – Here’s What Happened

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ)’s stock price traded down 1.5% during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as low as $47.17 and last traded at $47.1920. 21,186,393 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 28% from the average session volume of 29,545,111 shares. The stock had previously closed at $47.93.

Verizon Communications News Roundup

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

• Positive Sentiment: Analysts and market commentary note that Verizon’s shares have performed well year to date, helped by wireless subscriber gains, lower churn, and fiber expansion that could support longer-term growth. Verizon Shares Rise 17.7% YTD: How Should You Play the Stock?
• Positive Sentiment: Verizon’s debt exchange offers may help streamline its capital structure and improve financial flexibility after recent acquisition-related financing activity. Verizon Debt Moves Reshape Capital Structure And Investor Risk Profile
• Neutral Sentiment: Verizon presented at MoffettNathanson’s Media, Internet & Communications Conference, but no major new catalyst was highlighted in the headline transcript item. Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ) Presents at MoffettNathanson’s Media, Internet & Communications Conference Transcript
• Negative Sentiment: A report warned that Verizon’s latest phone plan changes could alienate customers, adding to concerns after the company lost more than 2.25 million customers over the past three years. Verizon’s latest phone plan change may drive away consumers
• Negative Sentiment: Broader sector commentary also flagged Verizon as one of the telecom names facing pressure in a rising-rate environment, where dividend yields become less attractive versus short-term Treasuries. 3 Sectors That Look Most Vulnerable Ahead of May 15
• Negative Sentiment: Additional coverage noted new workforce cuts, reinforcing investor concerns that Verizon is still working through cost reduction and restructuring pressures. Verizon CEO cuts to the chase on new layoffs and AI future

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts recently weighed in on VZ shares. Sanford C. Bernstein reiterated a “market perform” rating and issued a $48.00 price target on shares of Verizon Communications in a report on Monday, February 2nd. Oppenheimer upped their price objective on shares of Verizon Communications from $50.00 to $56.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, March 11th. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of Verizon Communications from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 5th. Scotiabank raised shares of Verizon Communications from a “sector perform” rating to a “sector outperform” rating and raised their target price for the stock from $50.25 to $54.50 in a report on Monday, March 9th. Finally, Morgan Stanley upped their price target on shares of Verizon Communications from $49.00 to $50.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a report on Tuesday, April 28th. 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. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $50.59.

Verizon Communications Stock Down 1.5%

The business has a 50-day moving average price of $48.69 and a 200-day moving average price of $44.35. The stock has a market cap of $197.05 billion, a PE ratio of 11.51, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.99 and a beta of 0.24. The company has a current ratio of 0.64, a quick ratio of 0.61 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.38.

Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, April 27th. The cell phone carrier reported $1.28 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.21 by $0.07. The company had revenue of $34.44 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $34.82 billion. Verizon Communications had a net margin of 12.46% and a return on equity of 19.25%. The firm’s revenue was up 2.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $1.19 EPS. Verizon Communications has set its FY 2026 guidance at 4.950-4.990 EPS. As a group, analysts forecast that Verizon Communications Inc. will post 4.96 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Transactions at Verizon Communications

In related news, Director Hans Erik Vestberg sold 200,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated 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 completion of the transaction, the director owned 145,069 shares in the company, valued at $7,196,873.09. This represents a 57.96% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, SVP Mary-Lee Stillwell sold 8,569 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 2nd. The shares were 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 in the company, valued at $2,189,100. This represents a 16.37% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. 0.03% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Verizon Communications

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of VZ. Brighton Jones LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Verizon Communications by 61.2% during the fourth quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 43,986 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock worth $1,759,000 after purchasing an additional 16,704 shares during the period. United Bank increased its stake in Verizon Communications by 11.5% in the 2nd quarter. United Bank now owns 7,843 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock valued at $339,000 after buying an additional 806 shares during the period. Jump Financial LLC raised its position in Verizon Communications by 312.0% during the 2nd quarter. Jump Financial LLC now owns 23,639 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock worth $1,023,000 after buying an additional 17,901 shares during the last quarter. HUB Investment Partners LLC raised its position in Verizon Communications by 17.2% during the 2nd quarter. HUB Investment Partners LLC now owns 41,121 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock worth $1,779,000 after buying an additional 6,034 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Vivaldi Capital Management LP lifted its stake in shares of Verizon Communications by 5.2% in the 2nd quarter. Vivaldi Capital Management LP now owns 8,993 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock worth $389,000 after acquiring an additional 443 shares during the period. 62.06% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.