Geode Capital Management LLC Buys 867,694 Shares of Verizon Communications Inc. $VZ

Key Points

• Geode Capital Management increased its Verizon stake by 0.9% in the fourth quarter, buying 867,694 additional shares and bringing its holdings to 102.6 million shares worth about $4.17 billion.
• Verizon remains widely held by institutions, with institutional investors owning 62.06% of the company, while insider selling was limited to a recent share sale by SVP Mary-Lee Stillwell.
• The stock has support from recent operating results and analyst coverage: Verizon beat EPS estimates in its latest quarter, and analysts currently rate it a Moderate Buy with an average price target of $50.59.

Geode Capital Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ - Free Report) by 0.9% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 102,632,509 shares of the cell phone carrier's stock after acquiring an additional 867,694 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC owned approximately 2.43% of Verizon Communications worth $4,168,080,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Foster Dykema Cabot & Partners LLC bought a new position in Verizon Communications during the 3rd quarter valued at about $29,000. Strengthening Families & Communities LLC lifted its stake in Verizon Communications by 490.0% during the 4th 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 during the period. Holos Integrated Wealth LLC bought a new position in Verizon Communications during the 4th quarter valued at about $28,000. EQ Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in Verizon Communications during the 4th quarter valued at about $29,000. Finally, Daytona Street Capital LLC bought a new position in Verizon Communications during the 4th quarter valued at about $33,000. Institutional investors own 62.06% of the company's stock.

Key Stories Impacting Verizon Communications

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

• Positive Sentiment: Verizon is part of a proposed satellite direct-to-device venture with AT&T and T-Mobile, a move that could help expand coverage, reduce dead zones, and improve emergency communications capabilities. T-Mobile Joins Rivals On Satellite Venture With Shares Below Targets
• Positive Sentiment: Investor attention remains elevated after Verizon’s last earnings report, where the company beat EPS estimates, supporting confidence in its cash generation and wireless business. Why Is Verizon (VZ) Up 2.7% Since Last Earnings Report?
• Neutral Sentiment: Verizon continues to show up on trader screens and stock-watch lists, suggesting the market is still focused on its upcoming catalysts rather than any single major new development. Here is What to Know Beyond Why Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ) is a Trending Stock
• Neutral Sentiment: Sector commentary around 5G, AI connectivity, and telecom infrastructure may be giving Verizon some broader support, but these themes are more long-term than immediate stock-moving news. AI Can’t Reach the Real World Without These 3 Stocks
• Neutral Sentiment: Articles discussing a broader fleet-telematics market expansion are not specific to Verizon, so any stock impact is likely indirect at best. Fleet Telematics Market Forecast

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages have issued reports on VZ. Dbs Bank cut Verizon Communications from a "moderate buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 7th. Williams Trading set a $54.00 target price on Verizon Communications in a research report on Monday, February 2nd. Morgan Stanley raised their target price on Verizon Communications from $49.00 to $50.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 28th. Scotiabank raised Verizon Communications from a "sector perform" rating to a "sector outperform" rating and raised their target price for the stock from $50.25 to $54.50 in a research report on Monday, March 9th. Finally, Erste Group Bank reissued a "hold" rating on shares of Verizon Communications in a research report on Tuesday, May 5th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have given a Buy rating and eleven have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Verizon Communications presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $50.59.

Insider Transactions at Verizon Communications

In related news, SVP Mary-Lee Stillwell sold 8,569 shares of Verizon Communications stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $50.00, for a total transaction of $428,450.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president owned 43,782 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,189,100. This trade represents a 16.37% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Company insiders own 0.03% of the company's stock.

Verizon Communications Stock Down 0.4%

NYSE VZ opened at $48.30 on Thursday. The stock's 50-day moving average price is $48.01 and its 200-day moving average price is $44.99. The company has a quick ratio of 0.61, a current ratio of 0.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.38. Verizon Communications Inc. has a 52 week low of $38.39 and a 52 week high of $51.68. The company has a market capitalization of $201.70 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.78, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.16 and a beta of 0.24.

Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ - Get Free Report) last issued 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 company had revenue of $34.44 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $34.82 billion. Verizon Communications had a return on equity of 19.25% and a net margin of 12.46%.The firm's quarterly revenue was up 2.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.19 EPS. Verizon Communications has set its FY 2026 guidance at 4.950-4.990 EPS. On average, equities research analysts predict that Verizon Communications Inc. will post 4.96 earnings per share for the current year.

Verizon Communications 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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