493,124 Shares in Verizon Communications Inc. $VZ Acquired by Moore Capital Management LP

Key Points

• Moore Capital Management LP opened a new position in Verizon Communications during the fourth quarter, buying 493,124 shares valued at about $20.1 million.
• Verizon’s stock was down 1.9% to $45.86, but the company still showed solid valuation metrics, including a 6.2% dividend yield and a market cap of $191.5 billion.
• The company recently beat earnings expectations with $1.28 EPS versus the $1.21 estimate, and it also announced a quarterly dividend of $0.7075 per share payable on August 3.

Moore Capital Management LP acquired a new position in Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 493,124 shares of the cell phone carrier's stock, valued at approximately $20,085,000.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Maia Wealth LLC grew its stake in Verizon Communications by 18.1% in the fourth quarter. Maia Wealth LLC now owns 10,877 shares of the cell phone carrier's stock worth $443,000 after purchasing an additional 1,670 shares in the last quarter. Infrastructure Capital Advisors LLC grew its stake in Verizon Communications by 5.7% in the fourth quarter. Infrastructure Capital Advisors LLC now owns 19,218 shares of the cell phone carrier's stock worth $783,000 after purchasing an additional 1,044 shares in the last quarter. Gotham Asset Management LLC grew its stake in Verizon Communications by 2.7% in the fourth quarter. Gotham Asset Management LLC now owns 413,344 shares of the cell phone carrier's stock worth $16,836,000 after purchasing an additional 10,767 shares in the last quarter. Evolve Private Wealth LLC bought a new position in Verizon Communications in the fourth quarter worth approximately $3,565,000. Finally, Engineers Gate Manager LP bought a new position in Verizon Communications in the fourth quarter worth approximately $866,000. Institutional investors own 62.06% of the company's stock.

Verizon Communications Stock Down 1.9%

Shares of NYSE VZ opened at $45.86 on Thursday. 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 market capitalization of $191.50 billion, a PE ratio of 11.19, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.14 and a beta of 0.24. The stock's fifty day simple moving average is $47.03 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $45.63. Verizon Communications Inc. has a 12-month low of $38.39 and a 12-month high of $51.68.

Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Monday, April 27th. The cell phone carrier reported $1.28 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.21 by $0.07. The business had revenue of $34.44 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations 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 for the quarter was up 2.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.19 EPS. Verizon Communications has set its FY 2026 guidance at 4.950-4.990 EPS. As a group, analysts expect that Verizon Communications Inc. will post 4.97 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Verizon Communications Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, August 3rd. Stockholders of record on Friday, July 10th will be given a $0.7075 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, July 10th. This represents a $2.83 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.2%. Verizon Communications's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 69.02%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

VZ has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Freedom Capital raised Verizon Communications to a "hold" rating in a research note on Friday, June 12th. Raymond James Financial reissued an "outperform" rating and issued a $56.00 price objective on shares of Verizon Communications in a research note on Thursday, March 12th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a "buy (b)" rating on shares of Verizon Communications in a research report on Friday, May 29th. Barclays increased their target price on Verizon Communications from $43.00 to $47.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 31st. Finally, Scotiabank raised Verizon Communications from a "sector perform" rating to a "sector outperform" rating and increased their target price for the company from $50.25 to $54.50 in a research report on Monday, March 9th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have assigned a Buy rating and twelve have assigned a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $50.59.

Trending Headlines about Verizon Communications

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

• Positive Sentiment: Verizon launched new simpler wireless plans, a loyalty program, and removed activation and upgrade fees, which could help reduce customer churn and improve its competitive position versus AT&T and T-Mobile. Verizon targets wireless customers with new simpler plans, drops some fees
• Positive Sentiment: The company said customers will get 3% back on bills through its loyalty program, with rewards usable on devices and partner brands, which may support retention and lifetime customer value. Verizon Breaks Industry Mold to Put Customers First
• Neutral Sentiment: Verizon announced final results for its exchange offers and tender offers across multiple series of notes, a routine refinancing move that may help manage its debt profile but does not directly change near-term operations. Verizon announces expiration and final results of its tender offers and consent solicitations for 20 series of Verizon and certain of its subsidiaries’ notes
• Neutral Sentiment: The company also completed private exchange offers and consent solicitations for 11 note series, reinforcing a focus on liability management rather than an immediate growth catalyst. Verizon announces expiration and final results of its private exchange offers and consent solicitations for 11 series of notes
• Negative Sentiment: Recent market coverage noted that Verizon’s shares fell more sharply than the broader market, suggesting investors are still cautious despite the value appeal and high dividend yield. Verizon Communications (VZ) Falls More Steeply Than Broader Market: What Investors Need to Know

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.

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