Resona Asset Management Co. Ltd. Cuts Position in Verizon Communications Inc. $VZ

Key Points

• Resona Asset Management reduced its Verizon stake by 6.7% in the second quarter, selling 107,981 shares and retaining 1.49 million shares valued at approximately $63.7 million. Institutional investors collectively own 62.06% of Verizon.
• Verizon’s latest quarter beat earnings expectations with $1.30 in EPS versus $1.27 forecast, although revenue fell 0.7% year over year to $34.25 billion. The company maintained 2026 EPS guidance of $4.99–$5.04.
• Analysts maintain a cautious outlook, with a consensus “Hold” rating and average price target of $50.84. Verizon also offers an annualized $2.83 dividend, yielding about 5.8% at the reported share price.

Resona Asset Management Co. Ltd. lowered its holdings in Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ - Free Report) by 6.7% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 1,493,350 shares of the cell phone carrier's stock after selling 107,981 shares during the quarter. Resona Asset Management Co. Ltd.'s holdings in Verizon Communications were worth $63,694,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Robinswood Financial LLC purchased a new stake in Verizon Communications during the first quarter worth about $27,000. Lam Group Inc. purchased a new position in Verizon Communications in the first quarter valued at about $28,000. Strengthening Families & Communities LLC lifted its position in shares of 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. EQ Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Verizon Communications during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Finally, Sarver Vrooman Wealth Advisors boosted its stake in shares of Verizon Communications by 173.0% during the 4th quarter. Sarver Vrooman Wealth Advisors now owns 707 shares of the cell phone carrier's stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 448 shares in the last quarter. 62.06% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Trending Headlines about Verizon Communications

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

• Positive Sentiment: Verizon is using its fiber network to support AI-related connectivity, including a reported $1 billion-plus agreement with Google and potential additional hyperscaler contracts. These deals could create new enterprise revenue opportunities beyond traditional wireless services. Can AI Infrastructure Drive Verizon's Next Long-Term Growth?
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts continue to highlight Verizon as a value stock, supported by its relatively modest valuation, income potential and defensive telecommunications business. That profile may appeal to investors seeking stability while broader markets remain elevated. Here's Why Verizon Communications Is a Strong Value Stock
• Positive Sentiment: Verizon’s preparation for Tropical Storm Lala in Hawaii— including backup generators, satellite assets and pre-positioned equipment— reinforces network reliability and customer support, though the immediate financial impact is likely limited. Verizon Readies for Tropical Storm Lala
• Neutral Sentiment: A comparison with Nokia emphasizes Verizon’s connectivity strengths as both companies position for AI-driven telecom demand. The article does not identify a material change to Verizon’s near-term earnings outlook. Verizon vs. Nokia: Which Telecom Stock is the Better Buy Now?
• Negative Sentiment: Investors remain mindful that Verizon has returned substantial cash to shareholders while its stock has lagged the broader market. This raises questions about whether dividends and buybacks are producing sufficient shareholder value compared with reinvestment in growth. VZ Paid Holders $59 Billion While the Stock Trailed the Market

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts recently weighed in on the company. Moffett Nathanson dropped their price objective on Verizon Communications from $56.00 to $49.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research note on Monday, July 20th. Royal Bank Of Canada boosted their target price on Verizon Communications from $46.00 to $47.00 and gave the stock a "sector perform" rating in a research report on Monday, July 27th. Barclays upped their target price on Verizon Communications from $45.00 to $46.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a report on Monday, July 27th. Erste Group Bank reaffirmed a "hold" rating on shares of Verizon Communications in a research note on Tuesday, May 5th. Finally, Freedom Capital raised shares of Verizon Communications to a "hold" rating in a research note on Friday, June 12th. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and twelve have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $50.84.

Verizon Communications Stock Up 0.6%

VZ opened at $48.50 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.57, a current ratio of 0.60 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.36. The firm has a market cap of $201.51 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.63, a PEG ratio of 1.35 and a beta of 0.25. 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 $45.30 and its 200 day simple moving average is $46.99.

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, beating the consensus estimate of $1.27 by $0.03. The firm had revenue of $34.25 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $35.16 billion. Verizon Communications had a net margin of 11.64% and a return on equity of 19.48%. The firm's revenue for the quarter was down .7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.22 EPS. Verizon Communications has set its FY 2026 guidance at 4.990-5.040 EPS. As a group, equities 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 was paid on Monday, August 3rd. Stockholders of record on Friday, July 10th were given a $0.7075 dividend. This represents a $2.83 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, July 10th. Verizon Communications's payout ratio is currently 73.70%.

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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