What is Erste Group Bank’s Estimate for VZ FY2026 Earnings?

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) – Investment analysts at Erste Group Bank lifted their FY2026 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for shares of Verizon Communications in a report released on Wednesday, August 5th. Erste Group Bank analyst H. Engel now forecasts that the cell phone carrier will earn $5.01 per share for the year, up from their previous forecast of $4.99. Erste Group Bank has a “Hold” rating on the stock. The consensus estimate for Verizon Communications’ current full-year earnings is $5.03 per share. Erste Group Bank also issued estimates for Verizon Communications’ FY2027 earnings at $5.26 EPS.

Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) last announced its earnings results on Friday, July 24th. The cell phone carrier reported $1.30 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.27 by $0.03. The company had revenue of $34.25 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $35.16 billion. Verizon Communications had a return on equity of 19.48% and a net margin of 11.64%.The company’s revenue was down .7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business posted $1.22 EPS. Verizon Communications has set its FY 2026 guidance at 4.990-5.040 EPS.

A number of other research firms have also weighed in on VZ. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on shares of Verizon Communications from $43.00 to $47.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Monday, July 27th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Verizon Communications in a research note on Friday, May 29th. Morgan Stanley increased their price target on shares of Verizon Communications from $50.00 to $52.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Monday, July 27th. Freedom Capital raised Verizon Communications to a “hold” rating in a report on Friday, June 12th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on Verizon Communications from $49.00 to $52.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Thursday, April 30th. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and twelve have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Verizon Communications currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $50.84.

Verizon Communications Price Performance

Verizon Communications stock opened at $47.02 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.36, a current ratio of 0.60 and a quick ratio of 0.57. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $45.17 and a 200-day simple moving average of $46.81. Verizon Communications has a 12 month low of $38.39 and a 12 month high of $51.68. The stock has a market capitalization of $195.36 billion, a PE ratio of 12.24, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.31 and a beta of 0.25.

Verizon Communications Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, August 3rd. Stockholders of record on Friday, July 10th were given a $0.7075 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, July 10th. This represents a $2.83 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.0%. Verizon Communications’s dividend payout ratio is currently 73.70%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Robinswood Financial LLC purchased a new position in Verizon Communications during the first quarter worth $27,000. Lam Group Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Verizon Communications in the first quarter worth $28,000. Strengthening Families & Communities LLC lifted its position in shares of Verizon Communications by 490.0% in the fourth quarter. Strengthening Families & Communities LLC now owns 649 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 539 shares in the last quarter. EQ Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Verizon Communications during the fourth quarter valued at $29,000. Finally, Sarver Vrooman Wealth Advisors boosted its stake in shares of Verizon Communications by 173.0% during the fourth quarter. Sarver Vrooman Wealth Advisors now owns 707 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 448 shares during the last quarter. 62.06% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.