Leonteq Securities AG Makes New Investment in Verizon Communications Inc. $VZ

Key Points

• Leonteq Securities AG disclosed a new fourth-quarter position in Verizon, buying 122,946 shares worth about $5.0 million.
• Several institutional investors also adjusted their Verizon holdings, and institutions collectively own 62.06% of the company’s stock.
• Analysts remain broadly constructive: recent target increases and one upgrade left Verizon with a Moderate Buy consensus and an average price target of $50.59.

Leonteq Securities AG bought a new position in shares of Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund bought 122,946 shares of the cell phone carrier's stock, valued at approximately $5,008,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Blake Schutter Theil Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Verizon Communications by 3.8% during the 4th quarter. Blake Schutter Theil Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 6,305 shares of the cell phone carrier's stock worth $257,000 after purchasing an additional 233 shares during the last quarter. Triton Wealth Management PLLC boosted its stake in Verizon Communications by 2.6% during the 4th quarter. Triton Wealth Management PLLC now owns 9,257 shares of the cell phone carrier's stock worth $377,000 after purchasing an additional 234 shares during the last quarter. Creative Financial Designs Inc. ADV raised its holdings in shares of Verizon Communications by 0.9% during the 4th quarter. Creative Financial Designs Inc. ADV now owns 27,471 shares of the cell phone carrier's stock worth $1,119,000 after acquiring an additional 248 shares during the period. Monetary Management Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Verizon Communications by 0.8% during the 2nd quarter. Monetary Management Group Inc. now owns 30,400 shares of the cell phone carrier's stock worth $1,315,000 after acquiring an additional 250 shares during the period. Finally, Hughes Financial Services LLC raised its holdings in shares of Verizon Communications by 5.3% during the 3rd quarter. Hughes Financial Services LLC now owns 5,035 shares of the cell phone carrier's stock worth $221,000 after acquiring an additional 255 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 62.06% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms have recently commented on VZ. Barclays lifted their price target on Verizon Communications from $43.00 to $47.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a report on Tuesday, March 31st. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on Verizon Communications from $44.00 to $46.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a report on Tuesday, April 28th. Scotiabank upgraded Verizon Communications from a "sector perform" rating to a "sector outperform" rating and lifted their price target for the stock from $50.25 to $54.50 in a report on Monday, March 9th. Evercore lifted their price target on Verizon Communications from $48.00 to $50.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Monday, February 2nd. Finally, Raymond James Financial reiterated an "outperform" rating and set a $56.00 price target on shares of Verizon Communications in a report on Thursday, March 12th. One investment 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 company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $50.59.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Hans Erik Vestberg sold 200,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $49.61, for a total value of $9,922,000.00. Following the sale, the director directly owned 145,069 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,196,873.09. The trade was a 57.96% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, SVP Mary-Lee Stillwell sold 8,569 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $50.00, for a total transaction of $428,450.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president owned 43,782 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,189,100. This trade represents a 16.37% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. 0.03% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Verizon Communications News Summary

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

• Positive Sentiment: Verizon highlighted stronger consumer traction in its latest earnings commentary, including postpaid phone growth and broadband gains, which supports the view that its core wireless business is stabilizing. Verizon Earnings Call Highlights Turnaround Momentum
• Positive Sentiment: Verizon, along with AT&T and T-Mobile, is advancing a satellite connectivity joint venture aimed at eliminating dead zones, a strategic move that could improve network coverage and long-term competitive positioning. Verizon to redeem debt securities on June 20, 2026
• Positive Sentiment: Verizon announced it will redeem about $1.3 billion of notes on June 20, signaling active debt management that may be viewed favorably by income-oriented investors. Verizon to redeem debt securities on June 20, 2026
• Neutral Sentiment: Verizon also announced the winner of its first Frontline App Developer Challenge, underscoring innovation in public safety and emergency response, but the near-term financial impact appears limited. Verizon champions the innovators of tomorrow, names winner of Verizon Frontline App Developer Challenge
• Neutral Sentiment: Verizon’s latest industry cybersecurity report drew attention to a surge in AI-driven social engineering and vulnerability exploitation, highlighting Verizon’s security expertise but not directly changing fundamentals. AI-related data breaches surpass stolen credentials in cyber incidents, Verizon report says

Verizon Communications Stock Up 0.1%

NYSE VZ opened at $47.80 on Thursday. The firm has a market cap of $199.57 billion, a PE ratio of 11.66, a P/E/G ratio of 1.00 and a beta of 0.24. Verizon Communications Inc. has a 52 week low of $38.39 and a 52 week high of $51.68. The business's fifty day simple moving average is $48.26 and its 200-day simple moving average is $44.69. 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 (NYSE:VZ - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data 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 firm had revenue of $34.44 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $34.82 billion. Verizon Communications had a net margin of 12.46% and a return on equity of 19.25%. Verizon Communications's revenue was up 2.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.19 EPS. Verizon Communications has set its FY 2026 guidance at 4.950-4.990 EPS. As a group, equities analysts anticipate 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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