National Pension Service Buys 129,613 Shares of Verizon Communications Inc. $VZ

Key Points

• National Pension Service increased its Verizon stake by 1.2%, purchasing 129,613 shares to hold 10.7 million shares valued at approximately $453.7 million. Institutional investors own about 62.1% of the company.
• Verizon reported quarterly EPS of $1.30, ahead of the $1.27 consensus, although revenue declined 0.7% year over year to $34.25 billion. The company reaffirmed fiscal 2026 EPS guidance of $4.99–$5.04.
• Verizon declared a quarterly dividend of $0.7075 per share, equivalent to a 5.7% annualized yield. Analysts maintain a consensus “Hold” rating with an average price target of $50.97, while CEO Kyle Malady sold 1,100 shares under a pre-arranged trading plan.

National Pension Service raised its stake in shares of Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ - Free Report) by 1.2% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 10,714,909 shares of the cell phone carrier's stock after buying an additional 129,613 shares during the quarter. National Pension Service owned about 0.26% of Verizon Communications worth $453,669,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Cornerstone Financial Management LLC boosted its stake in Verizon Communications by 6.2% during the 2nd quarter. Cornerstone Financial Management LLC now owns 3,568 shares of the cell phone carrier's stock worth $151,000 after acquiring an additional 207 shares during the last quarter. RKL Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in Verizon Communications by 4.3% in the first quarter. RKL Wealth Management LLC now owns 5,338 shares of the cell phone carrier's stock worth $268,000 after purchasing an additional 218 shares during the period. Manchester Financial Inc. raised its holdings in Verizon Communications by 0.6% in the second quarter. Manchester Financial Inc. now owns 34,924 shares of the cell phone carrier's stock worth $1,479,000 after purchasing an additional 218 shares during the period. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL boosted its position in shares of Verizon Communications by 8.6% during the fourth quarter. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL now owns 2,765 shares of the cell phone carrier's stock worth $113,000 after purchasing an additional 219 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Frazier Financial Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Verizon Communications by 32.7% in the 1st quarter. Frazier Financial Advisors LLC now owns 888 shares of the cell phone carrier's stock valued at $45,000 after buying an additional 219 shares during the period. 62.06% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Insider Activity

In related news, CEO Kyle Malady sold 1,100 shares of Verizon Communications stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, September 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $49.98, for a total value of $54,978.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer owned 106,566 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $5,326,168.68. This trade represents a 1.02% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Insiders sold 4,400 shares of company stock worth $219,142 in the last ninety days. 0.03% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Verizon Communications Trading Down 1.4%

VZ opened at $49.70 on Thursday. The stock has a market capitalization of $206.48 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.94, a P/E/G ratio of 1.71 and a beta of 0.26. Verizon Communications Inc. has a 12 month low of $38.39 and a 12 month high of $51.68. The firm's fifty day simple moving average is $46.76 and its 200 day simple moving average is $47.51. The company has a current ratio of 0.60, a quick ratio of 0.57 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.36.

Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Friday, July 24th. The cell phone carrier reported $1.30 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.27 by $0.03. The firm had revenue of $34.25 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $35.16 billion. Verizon Communications had a net margin of 11.64% and a return on equity of 19.48%. The company's revenue for the quarter was down .7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $1.22 EPS. Verizon Communications has set its FY 2026 guidance at 4.990-5.040 EPS. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Verizon Communications Inc. will post 5.03 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Verizon Communications Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, November 2nd. Investors of record on Friday, October 9th will be issued a dividend of $0.7075 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, October 9th. This represents a $2.83 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.7%. Verizon Communications's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 73.70%.

Trending Headlines about Verizon Communications

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

• Positive Sentiment: Verizon agreed to secure more than 80 million miles of high-density optical fiber from Corning through 2032. The supply should support expansion toward 40 million–50 million broadband passings, strengthen fiber-and-wireless bundles, and provide capacity for AI-related data-center connections. Verizon signs optical fiber deal with Corning to expand broadband, support AI growth
• Positive Sentiment: CEO Dan Schulman said Verizon has seen “zero discernible impact” on broadband growth from low-Earth-orbit providers such as Starlink, easing concerns that satellite broadband will quickly erode Verizon’s fixed-line opportunity. Verizon Waves Off Starlink, Bets On Cities And Old Phone Buildings
• Neutral Sentiment: Verizon declared a quarterly dividend of $0.7075 per share, unchanged from the prior quarter. The payout reinforces its income appeal but provides no new dividend-growth catalyst. Verizon declares quarterly dividend on September 9, 2026
• Neutral Sentiment: CEO Kyle Malady sold 1,100 shares under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 plan. The relatively small transaction reduces its signaling value, though insider selling can add modest investor caution.
• Negative Sentiment: The broader shift away from defensive plays is weighing on Verizon as investors favor higher-growth sectors. The stock’s proximity to its 52-week high may also encourage profit-taking, while the fiber agreement requires significant investment and is not expected to begin delivering volume until 2027. Shift Away from Defensive Plays Hits Verizon Communications

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts recently commented on the company. Morgan Stanley raised their price objective on Verizon Communications from $50.00 to $52.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Monday, July 27th. Freedom Capital upgraded Verizon Communications to a "hold" rating in a report on Friday, June 12th. BNP Paribas Exane dropped their price target on Verizon Communications from $46.00 to $44.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, July 14th. Barclays lifted their price objective on Verizon Communications from $45.00 to $46.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a report on Monday, July 27th. Finally, TD Cowen boosted their price objective on Verizon Communications from $54.00 to $56.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Monday, July 27th. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and twelve have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $50.97.

Verizon Communications Profile

Verizon Communications Inc is a telecommunications company that provides wireless communications, broadband, and related technology services. Its offerings include mobile voice and data plans, 5G connectivity, fixed wireless access, fiber-optic internet through Verizon Fios, home services, and connected-device solutions.

Through Verizon Business, the company serves enterprises, government agencies, and other organizations with communications networks, managed connectivity, cybersecurity, cloud and edge-computing services, unified communications, and Internet of Things solutions.

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