AE Wealth Management LLC Acquires 179,385 Shares of Verizon Communications Inc. $VZ

Key Points

• AE Wealth Management increased its stake in Verizon by 15.1%, buying 179,385 shares to hold 1,365,126 shares worth about $55.6 million at quarter-end.
• Verizon raised its quarterly dividend to $0.7075 (annualized $2.83) for a ~6.0% yield, with an ex-dividend date of April 10 and payment on May 1.
• Analysts show a mixed but generally positive view—MarketBeat's consensus is a “Moderate Buy” with an average target of $50.56—while Verizon issued FY2026 EPS guidance of $4.90–$4.95 versus sell-side estimates around $4.69.

AE Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ - Free Report) by 15.1% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,365,126 shares of the cell phone carrier's stock after buying an additional 179,385 shares during the period. AE Wealth Management LLC's holdings in Verizon Communications were worth $55,602,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of VZ. TruNorth Capital Management LLC grew its position in shares of Verizon Communications by 95.3% in the third quarter. TruNorth Capital Management LLC now owns 625 shares of the cell phone carrier's stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 305 shares during the last quarter. Foster Dykema Cabot & Partners LLC acquired a new stake in Verizon Communications during the third quarter worth approximately $29,000. Holos Integrated Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in Verizon Communications during the fourth quarter worth approximately $28,000. Richardson Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in Verizon Communications during the third quarter worth approximately $35,000. Finally, Daytona Street Capital LLC acquired a new stake in Verizon Communications during the fourth quarter worth approximately $33,000. Institutional investors own 62.06% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

VZ has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on Verizon Communications in a research report on Thursday. They set an "equal weight" rating and a $49.00 price target on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on Verizon Communications from $41.00 to $44.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Monday, February 2nd. Scotiabank raised Verizon Communications from a "sector perform" rating to a "sector outperform" rating and increased their price target for the stock from $50.25 to $54.50 in a research report on Monday, March 9th. Barclays increased their price target on Verizon Communications from $43.00 to $47.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 31st. Finally, Dbs Bank downgraded Verizon Communications from a "moderate buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report 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 given a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $50.56.

Verizon Communications Trading Up 3.9%

Shares of VZ stock opened at $46.80 on Friday. The stock's fifty day moving average price is $49.24 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $43.69. The company has a market cap of $195.64 billion, a PE ratio of 11.56, a P/E/G ratio of 1.16 and a beta of 0.29. Verizon Communications Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $38.39 and a fifty-two week high of $51.68. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.32, a quick ratio of 0.87 and a current ratio of 0.91.

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, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.06 by $0.03. Verizon Communications had a return on equity of 19.03% and a net margin of 12.43%.The firm had revenue of $36.38 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $36.20 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.10 EPS. The company'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. Equities analysts predict that Verizon Communications Inc. will post 4.69 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Verizon Communications Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, April 10th will be paid a $0.7075 dividend. This represents a $2.83 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.0%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, April 10th. This is a positive change from Verizon Communications's previous quarterly dividend of $0.69. Verizon Communications's dividend payout ratio is currently 69.88%.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Hans Erik Vestberg sold 200,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $49.61, for a total value of $9,922,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 145,069 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,196,873.09. This represents a 57.96% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Joseph J. Russo sold 9,579 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Monday, February 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $44.88, for a total value of $429,905.52. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 44,045 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,976,739.60. This represents a 17.86% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 218,148 shares of company stock worth $10,780,356. Insiders own 0.10% of the company's stock.

Key Stories Impacting Verizon Communications

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

• Positive Sentiment: Seeking Alpha argues VZ is a "Strong Buy" based on resilient free cash flow, stable valuation and an attractive dividend that supports the income thesis for investors. Verizon: A Strong Buy Due To Its Resilient Cash Flow And Stable Valuation
• Positive Sentiment: Another Seeking Alpha piece highlights a "reversal to growth" narrative, management's disciplined capex and M&A, a $25B share repurchase authorization through 2028, and a rich dividend yield — all factors that support upside and likely help buyer interest. Verizon: Reversal To Growth, Temper Expectations Entering Q1, Still A Buy
• Positive Sentiment: Verizon was named Official Telecommunications Services Sponsor for FIFA World Cup 2026; the deal showcases Verizon's 5G, fixed wireless and broadcast solutions on a global stage — a marketing and commercial opportunity that could accelerate enterprise/consumer product trials and create new revenue streams. VZ to Boost Fan Experience at FIFA World Cup: Will it Drive Prospects?
• Positive Sentiment: Official press releases describe how Verizon's 5G, fixed wireless access and broadcast solutions will power immersive fan experiences at FIFA, reinforcing the commercial narrative and visibility from a high-profile global event. Verizon to Power Unforgettable Fan Experiences at the FIFA World Cup 2026™
• Neutral Sentiment: Morgan Stanley initiated coverage with an "equal weight" rating and a $49 price target (modest upside from current levels) — a signal of cautious optimism but not a buy recommendation, so impact is likely muted.
• Neutral Sentiment: RBC Capital reiterated its hold rating on Verizon, keeping analyst sentiment broadly neutral and indicating no immediate change to sell-side conviction despite the operational news. RBC Capital Sticks to Its Hold Rating for Verizon (VZ)
• Neutral Sentiment: Zacks published a sector comparison piece on Verizon vs. Charter, underlining competitive dynamics in telecom that investors should weigh when valuing growth and capital allocation. Verizon or Charter: Which Telecom Stock Should You Bet on?
• Neutral Sentiment: An Alarm.com product update notes Verizon LTE support for legacy security upgrades — a small ecosystem-level positive but unlikely to materially move Verizon's stock on its own. Alarm.com Modernizes Legacy Security Systems with Enhanced Universal Communicator

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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