Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) Given Average Rating of “Hold” by Analysts

Shares of Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) have been assigned a consensus recommendation of “Hold” from the twenty research firms that are currently covering the stock, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Eleven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and nine have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1-year target price among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $50.0333.

A number of equities research analysts recently commented on the stock. Erste Group Bank reissued a “hold” rating on shares of Verizon Communications in a research report on Tuesday, May 5th. Barclays cut their price target on shares of Verizon Communications from $47.00 to $45.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, July 8th. Royal Bank Of Canada reduced their price target on Verizon Communications from $48.00 to $46.00 and set a “sector perform” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday. Scotiabank decreased their price objective on Verizon Communications from $54.50 to $51.50 and set a “sector outperform” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, July 15th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company assumed coverage on Verizon Communications in a research report on Wednesday, July 8th. They issued an “equal weight” rating and a $43.00 price objective for the company.

Verizon Communications Stock Performance

Shares of Verizon Communications stock opened at $43.91 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $183.36 billion, a PE ratio of 10.71, a P/E/G ratio of 1.08 and a beta of 0.26. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.38, a quick ratio of 0.61 and a current ratio of 0.64. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $45.39 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $46.20. Verizon Communications has a one year low of $38.39 and a one year high of $51.68.

Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, April 27th. The cell phone carrier reported $1.28 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.21 by $0.07. Verizon Communications had a net margin of 12.46% and a return on equity of 19.25%. The business had revenue of $34.44 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $34.82 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $1.19 EPS. The company’s revenue was up 2.7% compared to the same quarter last year. Verizon Communications has set its FY 2026 guidance at 4.950-4.990 EPS. Research analysts expect that Verizon Communications will post 4.98 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Verizon Communications Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, August 3rd. Shareholders of record on Friday, July 10th will be paid a $0.7075 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, July 10th. This represents a $2.83 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.4%. Verizon Communications’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 69.02%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Verizon Communications

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in VZ. Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of Verizon Communications during the fourth quarter valued at about $2,357,158,000. Bank of America Corp DE boosted its stake in Verizon Communications by 15.4% in the 1st quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 62,101,021 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock worth $3,117,471,000 after purchasing an additional 8,289,877 shares in the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp boosted its stake in Verizon Communications by 31.2% in the 4th quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 31,584,162 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock worth $1,286,423,000 after purchasing an additional 7,509,055 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp grew its position in Verizon Communications by 3.5% during the 4th quarter. State Street Corp now owns 222,951,399 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock worth $9,080,810,000 after purchasing an additional 7,461,335 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. grew its position in Verizon Communications by 5.3% during the 4th quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 116,570,816 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock worth $4,747,930,000 after purchasing an additional 5,851,715 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 62.06% of the company’s stock.

More Verizon Communications News

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

• Positive Sentiment: Verizon is highlighting new consumer products, including the Gizmo Watch 4 for families focused on child safety, which could support device sales and customer engagement. Verizon (VZ) Launches Gizmo Watch 4 For Families Focused On Child Safety
• Positive Sentiment: Verizon is also promoting major Samsung Galaxy Z Fold and wearable preorder deals, signaling continued carrier partnerships and potential upgrade-driven demand. Samsung’s next-generation Z Fold meets simplicity & value on Verizon
• Neutral Sentiment: Multiple previews note that Verizon will report Q2 results before the bell on Friday, keeping the stock in focus as investors look for updates on wireless growth, margins, and guidance. Verizon (VZ) To Report Earnings Tomorrow: Here Is What To Expect
• Neutral Sentiment: Coverage ahead of earnings says Verizon is in a broad reset, selling 274 company-owned stores, cutting jobs, and leaning more on franchises to improve efficiency. Verizon Communications (VZ) Sells Stores And Cuts Jobs, Is The Stock Still A Bargain?
• Negative Sentiment: Analysts are watching whether Verizon’s restructuring and cost cuts are enough to offset growth concerns, including competitive pressure from rivals and fears around new Starlink-related offerings in the market. Verizon Earnings Will Put Cost Cuts and SpaceX Fears Under the Microscope
• Negative Sentiment: Peer news from T-Mobile and AT&T underscores a tougher wireless backdrop, with intensified competition and execution risks across the sector that could weigh on Verizon’s outlook. T-Mobile Falls Despite Earnings Beat. CEO Shoots Down Expanded Starlink Deal.

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.