15,829 Shares in Verizon Communications Inc. $VZ Acquired by Larry Mathis Financial Planning LLC

Larry Mathis Financial Planning LLC bought a new stake in Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm bought 15,829 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock, valued at approximately $670,000.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in VZ. Strengthening Families & Communities LLC boosted its position in shares of Verizon Communications by 490.0% during the fourth quarter. Strengthening Families & Communities LLC now owns 649 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 539 shares during the period. Robinswood Financial LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Verizon Communications in the first quarter valued at $27,000. Lam Group Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Verizon Communications in the 1st quarter valued at $28,000. EQ Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Verizon Communications in the 4th quarter valued at $29,000. Finally, Sarver Vrooman Wealth Advisors lifted its stake in Verizon Communications by 173.0% during the 4th quarter. Sarver Vrooman Wealth Advisors now owns 707 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 448 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 62.06% of the company’s stock.

Key Stories Impacting Verizon Communications

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

• Positive Sentiment: Verizon is using its fiber network to support AI data-center and hyperscaler connectivity. A reported deal worth more than $1 billion with Google, along with additional potential hyperscaler agreements, could create new revenue opportunities beyond traditional wireless services. Can AI Infrastructure Drive Verizon’s Next Long-Term Growth?
• Positive Sentiment: Recent commentary highlights rising earnings estimates, stronger wireless performance and fiber expansion as reasons for a more constructive long-term outlook. Verizon’s value characteristics— including a relatively low earnings multiple and substantial shareholder distributions—may attract income- and value-focused investors. Should You Bet on VZ Stock Amid Rising Earnings Estimate Revisions?
• Positive Sentiment: Verizon has begun Pixel 11 preorders with installment and upgrade offerings, supporting device-sales activity and customer acquisition while reinforcing its partnership with Google. Verizon Simplicity meets Google AI
• Neutral Sentiment: The company has prepared its Hawai‘i network for Tropical Storm Lala with generators, satellite assets and pre-positioned equipment. Coordination with emergency agencies supports reliability and reputation, but the announcement is unlikely to materially affect near-term earnings. Verizon readies for Tropical Storm Lala
• Negative Sentiment: Investors continue to weigh Verizon’s heavy debt load, competitive wireless market and capital requirements for fiber and AI infrastructure. Analysts’ average recommendation remains “Hold,” reflecting limited conviction despite the improved growth narrative. Verizon Receives Average Hold Recommendation

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages recently commented on VZ. Barclays raised their target price on Verizon Communications from $45.00 to $46.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a report on Monday, July 27th. Erste Group Bank reissued a “hold” rating on shares of Verizon Communications in a research report on Tuesday, May 5th. Weiss Ratings reissued a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Verizon Communications in a research note on Friday, May 29th. TD Cowen lifted their price objective on shares of Verizon Communications from $54.00 to $56.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, July 27th. Finally, Morgan Stanley lifted their price objective on shares of Verizon Communications from $50.00 to $52.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a report on Monday, July 27th. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and twelve have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $50.84.

Verizon Communications Trading Up 2.6%

NYSE:VZ opened at $48.19 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $200.20 billion, a PE ratio of 12.55, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.31 and a beta of 0.25. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $45.23 and a 200 day moving average price of $46.98. Verizon Communications Inc. has a 12-month low of $38.39 and a 12-month high of $51.68. 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) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, July 24th. The cell phone carrier reported $1.30 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.27 by $0.03. Verizon Communications had a return on equity of 19.48% and a net margin of 11.64%.The company had revenue of $34.25 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $35.16 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.22 EPS. Verizon Communications’s revenue was down .7% on a year-over-year basis. Verizon Communications has set its FY 2026 guidance at 4.990-5.040 EPS. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Verizon Communications Inc. will post 5.03 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Verizon Communications Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, August 3rd. Stockholders of record on Friday, July 10th were given a dividend of $0.7075 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, July 10th. This represents a $2.83 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.9%. Verizon Communications’s payout ratio is currently 73.70%.

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.