410,382 Shares in Verizon Communications Inc. $VZ Acquired by Managed Asset Portfolios LLC

Key Points

• Managed Asset Portfolios LLC bought a new position of 410,382 shares of Verizon (NYSE:VZ) in Q4, worth about $16.7 million and representing 2.0% of the firm's portfolio (its 26th largest holding).
• Verizon raised its quarterly dividend to $0.7075 (annualized $2.83), implying a 6.1% yield, with an ex‑dividend date of April 10 and payment on May 1.
• Analysts are moderately bullish: Verizon set FY2026 guidance at 4.900–4.950 EPS, MarketBeat shows a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" with an average target price of $50.56, and several firms recently raised targets or ratings.

Managed Asset Portfolios LLC acquired a new position in Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ - Free Report) in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm acquired 410,382 shares of the cell phone carrier's stock, valued at approximately $16,715,000. Verizon Communications accounts for 2.0% of Managed Asset Portfolios LLC's investment portfolio, making the stock its 26th largest position.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its stake in Verizon Communications by 1.5% in the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 379,402,347 shares of the cell phone carrier's stock worth $15,453,058,000 after purchasing an additional 5,497,598 shares during the period. State Street Corp boosted its stake in Verizon Communications by 3.5% in the 3rd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 215,490,064 shares of the cell phone carrier's stock worth $9,470,788,000 after purchasing an additional 7,276,809 shares during the period. Northern Trust Corp boosted its stake in Verizon Communications by 1.2% in the 3rd quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 45,265,695 shares of the cell phone carrier's stock worth $1,989,427,000 after purchasing an additional 557,576 shares during the period. Legal & General Group Plc boosted its stake in Verizon Communications by 4.5% in the 3rd quarter. Legal & General Group Plc now owns 28,188,066 shares of the cell phone carrier's stock worth $1,238,866,000 after purchasing an additional 1,203,445 shares during the period. Finally, Invesco Ltd. boosted its stake in Verizon Communications by 2.9% in the 3rd quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 22,592,460 shares of the cell phone carrier's stock worth $992,939,000 after purchasing an additional 646,537 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 62.06% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Citigroup lifted their target price on shares of Verizon Communications from $50.00 to $55.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, March 20th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on shares of Verizon Communications from $47.00 to $49.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 3rd. Evercore lifted their target price on shares of Verizon Communications from $48.00 to $50.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Monday, February 2nd. Scotiabank raised shares of Verizon Communications from a "sector perform" rating to a "sector outperform" rating and lifted their target price for the company from $50.25 to $54.50 in a research note on Monday, March 9th. Finally, Dbs Bank lowered shares of Verizon Communications from a "moderate buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 7th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have given a Buy rating and ten have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $50.56.

Key Headlines Impacting Verizon Communications

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

• Positive Sentiment: Verizon expanded its Frontline Network Slice to laptops, tablets and smartphones, improving dedicated, prioritized 5G connectivity for first responders — a move that can win higher-margin public‑safety contracts and differentiate Verizon’s enterprise offerings. Verizon Frontline Network Slice available for laptops, tablets and smartphones nationwide
• Positive Sentiment: Verizon is deploying advanced 5G and fiber for FIFA World Cup 2026 venues and surrounding communities and has expanded its 5G network slicing for FirstNet and frontline use—moves that raise service pricing power at large events and for critical customers. How Verizon’s Expanded 5G Network Slicing and World Cup Buildout Could Impact Verizon Communications (VZ) Investors
• Positive Sentiment: Legal win: a federal judge granted Verizon a preliminary injunction blocking certain T‑Mobile ad claims about >$1,000 savings for switchers — reduces competitive marketing pressure and could protect Verizon’s subscriber stability and churn. Verizon (VZ) Wins an Injunction Prohibiting T-Mobile’s Ad Campaign Promising Significant Savings
• Neutral Sentiment: Market move: recent sessions showed a modest uptick in VZ shares as broader markets dipped — short-term price action rather than new fundamentals. Verizon Communications (VZ) Rises As Market Takes a Dip: Key Facts
• Neutral Sentiment: Income narrative remains a driver for investors: articles highlight Verizon’s steady ~4%+ yield and option/dividend strategies for cash generation — supports interest from income-focused holders but doesn’t move fundamentals. AT&T vs. Verizon vs. T-Mobile: Why This 4.4% Yield Is the Steadiest Bet in Telecom.
• Negative Sentiment: Near-term risk: investors are cautious ahead of Verizon’s Q1 earnings (reporting next week); analysts cite the Frontier deal integration, fiber capex needs, and intense wireless competition as headwinds that could limit upside. Verizon to Report Q1 Earnings: How to Approach the Stock Now?

Verizon Communications Stock Performance

Shares of VZ stock opened at $46.46 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.32, a current ratio of 0.91 and a quick ratio of 0.87. Verizon Communications Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $38.39 and a fifty-two week high of $51.68. The stock's 50-day moving average is $49.06 and its two-hundred day moving average is $43.86. The firm has a market cap of $194.20 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.47, a PEG ratio of 1.19 and a beta of 0.29.

Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Friday, January 30th. The cell phone carrier reported $1.09 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.06 by $0.03. Verizon Communications had a return on equity of 19.03% and a net margin of 12.43%.The company had revenue of $36.38 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $36.20 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $1.10 EPS. The business's revenue was up 2.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Verizon Communications has set its FY 2026 guidance at 4.900-4.950 EPS. Analysts predict that Verizon Communications Inc. will post 4.9 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Verizon Communications Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, April 10th will be issued a dividend of $0.7075 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, April 10th. This represents a $2.83 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.1%. This is an increase from Verizon Communications's previous quarterly dividend of $0.69. Verizon Communications's payout ratio is 69.88%.

Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Joseph J. Russo sold 9,579 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Monday, February 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $44.88, for a total transaction of $429,905.52. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 44,045 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,976,739.60. This trade represents a 17.86% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, SVP Mary-Lee Stillwell sold 8,569 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Monday, March 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $50.00, for a total transaction of $428,450.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president owned 43,782 shares in the company, valued at $2,189,100. This represents a 16.37% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 218,148 shares of company stock worth $10,780,356. 0.03% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

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.

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