Valley Wealth Managers Inc. Boosts Stock Holdings in Verizon Communications Inc. $VZ

Key Points

• Valley Wealth Managers Inc. boosted its Verizon stake by 5.8% in the fourth quarter, buying 31,405 more shares and bringing its total to 572,542 shares worth about $23.3 million.
• Analyst sentiment on Verizon remains mixed but generally positive: the stock has a Moderate Buy consensus rating, with an average target price of $50.59 and several firms recently reiterating or raising bullish ratings.
• Verizon posted better-than-expected earnings for the latest quarter, with EPS of $1.28 versus $1.21 expected, while revenue grew 2.7% year over year. The company also issued FY 2026 EPS guidance of 4.950–4.990.

Valley Wealth Managers Inc. increased its position in shares of Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ - Free Report) by 5.8% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 572,542 shares of the cell phone carrier's stock after purchasing an additional 31,405 shares during the period. Verizon Communications makes up approximately 1.5% of Valley Wealth Managers Inc.'s portfolio, making the stock its 24th largest position. Valley Wealth Managers Inc.'s holdings in Verizon Communications were worth $23,320,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Foster Dykema Cabot & Partners LLC purchased a new position in Verizon Communications during the third quarter worth about $29,000. Strengthening Families & Communities LLC raised its holdings in Verizon Communications by 490.0% during the fourth quarter. Strengthening Families & Communities LLC now owns 649 shares of the cell phone carrier's stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 539 shares in the last quarter. Holos Integrated Wealth LLC purchased a new position in Verizon Communications during the fourth quarter worth about $28,000. EQ Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Verizon Communications during the fourth quarter worth about $29,000. Finally, Richardson Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in Verizon Communications during the third quarter worth about $35,000. 62.06% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Weiss Ratings raised shares of Verizon Communications from a "hold (c+)" rating to a "buy (b-)" rating in a report on Thursday, February 5th. Sanford C. Bernstein reaffirmed a "market perform" rating and issued a $48.00 target price on shares of Verizon Communications in a report on Monday, February 2nd. Erste Group Bank reaffirmed a "hold" rating on shares of Verizon Communications in a report on Tuesday, May 5th. Oppenheimer increased their target price on shares of Verizon Communications from $50.00 to $56.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Wednesday, March 11th. Finally, Raymond James Financial reaffirmed an "outperform" rating and issued a $56.00 target price on shares of Verizon Communications in a report on Thursday, March 12th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have given a Buy rating and eleven have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Verizon Communications currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $50.59.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, SVP Mary-Lee Stillwell sold 8,569 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 2nd. The shares were 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 in the company, valued at approximately $2,189,100. This trade represents a 16.37% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Director Hans Erik Vestberg sold 200,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $49.61, for a total transaction of $9,922,000.00. Following the sale, the director owned 145,069 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,196,873.09. This trade represents a 57.96% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. 0.03% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Verizon Communications Stock Up 0.1%

Shares of NYSE VZ opened at $47.29 on Tuesday. Verizon Communications Inc. has a 1 year low of $38.39 and a 1 year high of $51.68. The firm's 50 day moving average price is $48.73 and its 200 day moving average price is $44.29. The firm has a market cap of $197.45 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.53, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.99 and a beta of 0.24. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.38, a quick ratio of 0.61 and a current ratio of 0.64.

Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Monday, April 27th. The cell phone carrier reported $1.28 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.21 by $0.07. Verizon Communications had a net margin of 12.46% and a return on equity of 19.25%. The firm had revenue of $34.44 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $34.82 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $1.19 earnings per share. Verizon Communications's revenue was up 2.7% compared to the same quarter last year. Verizon Communications has set its FY 2026 guidance at 4.950-4.990 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Verizon Communications Inc. will post 4.96 earnings per share for the current year.

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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