Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) Receives Average Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from Brokerages

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) has been given an average recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by the twenty-two research firms that are presently covering the company, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Twelve research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. The average 12-month price objective among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $50.5938.

A number of research firms have weighed in on VZ. Barclays upped their target price on Verizon Communications from $43.00 to $47.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 31st. Morgan Stanley upped their target price on Verizon Communications from $49.00 to $50.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 28th. Oppenheimer upped their target price on Verizon Communications from $50.00 to $56.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 11th. Raymond James Financial restated an “outperform” rating and issued a $56.00 target price on shares of Verizon Communications in a research report on Thursday, March 12th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price on Verizon Communications from $44.00 to $46.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 28th.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Verizon Communications

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in VZ. Avanza Fonder AB increased its holdings in shares of Verizon Communications by 5.6% in the 4th quarter. Avanza Fonder AB now owns 331,962 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock valued at $13,521,000 after purchasing an additional 17,495 shares during the period. Econ Financial Services Corp increased its holdings in shares of Verizon Communications by 23.5% in the 4th quarter. Econ Financial Services Corp now owns 78,172 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock valued at $3,184,000 after purchasing an additional 14,862 shares during the period. Teacher Retirement System of Texas increased its holdings in shares of Verizon Communications by 41.0% in the 4th quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas now owns 2,197,366 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock valued at $89,499,000 after purchasing an additional 639,380 shares during the period. Clarity Financial LLC increased its holdings in shares of Verizon Communications by 697.0% in the 4th quarter. Clarity Financial LLC now owns 471,127 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock valued at $19,189,000 after purchasing an additional 412,018 shares during the period. Finally, Cibc World Market Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Verizon Communications by 15.3% in the 4th quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 2,382,975 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock valued at $97,059,000 after purchasing an additional 316,854 shares during the period. 62.06% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Verizon Communications News Roundup

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

• Positive Sentiment: Verizon’s BT Group joint venture could improve its international enterprise reach and create a more scalable global connectivity platform. Reuters: BT, Verizon announce joint venture for international enterprise units
• Neutral Sentiment: Analysts and market commentary continue to debate whether the Dow removal is a temporary index-rebalancing event or a sign of weaker long-term sentiment toward Verizon. Motley Fool: Verizon Gets Booted from the Dow Jones Industrial Average
• Negative Sentiment: Verizon was removed from the Dow Jones Industrial Average, prompting selling pressure from index funds and signaling a lower profile among blue-chip stocks. Yahoo Finance: Why Verizon Shares Are Trading Lower Today
• Negative Sentiment: The BT joint venture comes with added transformation costs, and Verizon disclosed it could take up to an $800 million hit tied to the deal. Stocktwits: Verizon Flags Up To $800M BT Group JV Hit
• Negative Sentiment: Investor worries are also rising that SpaceX could challenge legacy wireless carriers, adding competitive pressure to Verizon’s long-term growth outlook. Barrons: SpaceX Might Bring Mobile Phone to Market

Verizon Communications Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE VZ opened at $42.37 on Wednesday. The company has a current ratio of 0.64, a quick ratio of 0.61 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.38. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $46.80 and a 200-day simple moving average of $45.91. The company has a market cap of $176.92 billion, a PE ratio of 10.33, a P/E/G ratio of 1.07 and a beta of 0.24. Verizon Communications has a 12-month low of $38.39 and a 12-month high of $51.68.

Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, April 27th. The cell phone carrier reported $1.28 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.21 by $0.07. The business had revenue of $34.44 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $34.82 billion. Verizon Communications had a return on equity of 19.25% and a net margin of 12.46%.The business’s revenue was up 2.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.19 earnings per share. Verizon Communications has set its FY 2026 guidance at 4.950-4.990 EPS. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Verizon Communications will post 4.98 EPS for the current year.

Verizon Communications Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, August 3rd. Shareholders of record on Friday, July 10th will be given a $0.7075 dividend. This represents a $2.83 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.7%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, July 10th. Verizon Communications’s dividend payout ratio is 69.02%.

About Verizon Communications

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.