Verizon Communications Inc. $VZ Shares Bought by Clare Market Investments LLC

Key Points

• Clare Market Investments LLC increased its Verizon stake by 249.6% in the second quarter, ending with 33,129 shares valued at $1.4 million. Institutional investors collectively own 62.06% of Verizon’s stock.
• Verizon beat quarterly EPS estimates, reporting $1.30 versus the $1.27 consensus, though revenue fell 0.7% year over year to $34.25 billion. The company also offers a $2.83 annualized dividend, yielding approximately 5.9%.
• Analysts maintain a consensus “Hold” rating with an average price target of $50.84. Potential growth from fiber connectivity for AI data centers and hyperscalers is tempered by Verizon’s heavy debt, competitive wireless market and infrastructure spending requirements.

Clare Market Investments LLC grew its holdings in Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ - Free Report) by 249.6% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 33,129 shares of the cell phone carrier's stock after buying an additional 23,652 shares during the quarter. Clare Market Investments LLC's holdings in Verizon Communications were worth $1,403,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Norges Bank purchased a new position in Verizon Communications in the fourth quarter worth $2,357,158,000. Bank of America Corp DE boosted its position in shares of Verizon Communications by 15.4% during the 1st quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 62,101,021 shares of the cell phone carrier's stock worth $3,117,471,000 after purchasing an additional 8,289,877 shares in the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp grew its stake in shares of Verizon Communications by 31.2% during the 4th quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 31,584,162 shares of the cell phone carrier's stock worth $1,286,423,000 after purchasing an additional 7,509,055 shares during the period. State Street Corp grew its stake in shares of Verizon Communications by 3.5% during the 4th quarter. State Street Corp now owns 222,951,399 shares of the cell phone carrier's stock worth $9,080,810,000 after purchasing an additional 7,461,335 shares during the period. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Verizon Communications by 5.3% in the 4th quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 116,570,816 shares of the cell phone carrier's stock valued at $4,747,930,000 after purchasing an additional 5,851,715 shares in the last quarter. 62.06% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Verizon Communications Stock Performance

Shares of VZ opened at $48.19 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 0.60, a quick ratio of 0.57 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.36. The stock has a market cap of $200.20 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.55, a PEG ratio of 1.31 and a beta of 0.25. The company has a 50-day moving average of $45.23 and a two-hundred day moving average of $46.98. Verizon Communications Inc. has a 12-month low of $38.39 and a 12-month high of $51.68.

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

Verizon Communications Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, August 3rd. Shareholders of record on Friday, July 10th were issued a dividend of $0.7075 per share. This represents a $2.83 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.9%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, July 10th. Verizon Communications's dividend payout ratio is 73.70%.

Key Headlines Impacting Verizon Communications

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

• Positive Sentiment: Verizon is using its fiber network to support AI data-center and hyperscaler connectivity. A reported deal worth more than $1 billion with Google, along with additional potential hyperscaler agreements, could create new revenue opportunities beyond traditional wireless services. Can AI Infrastructure Drive Verizon's Next Long-Term Growth?
• Positive Sentiment: Recent commentary highlights rising earnings estimates, stronger wireless performance and fiber expansion as reasons for a more constructive long-term outlook. Verizon’s value characteristics— including a relatively low earnings multiple and substantial shareholder distributions—may attract income- and value-focused investors. Should You Bet on VZ Stock Amid Rising Earnings Estimate Revisions?
• Positive Sentiment: Verizon has begun Pixel 11 preorders with installment and upgrade offerings, supporting device-sales activity and customer acquisition while reinforcing its partnership with Google. Verizon Simplicity meets Google AI
• Neutral Sentiment: The company has prepared its Hawai‘i network for Tropical Storm Lala with generators, satellite assets and pre-positioned equipment. Coordination with emergency agencies supports reliability and reputation, but the announcement is unlikely to materially affect near-term earnings. Verizon readies for Tropical Storm Lala
• Negative Sentiment: Investors continue to weigh Verizon’s heavy debt load, competitive wireless market and capital requirements for fiber and AI infrastructure. Analysts’ average recommendation remains “Hold,” reflecting limited conviction despite the improved growth narrative. Verizon Receives Average Hold Recommendation

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts recently commented on VZ shares. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on shares of Verizon Communications from $43.00 to $47.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Monday, July 27th. Royal Bank Of Canada increased their target price on shares of Verizon Communications from $46.00 to $47.00 and gave the company a "sector perform" rating in a report on Monday, July 27th. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on shares of Verizon Communications from $50.00 to $52.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Monday, July 27th. BNP Paribas Exane decreased their price target on Verizon Communications from $46.00 to $44.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, July 14th. Finally, Scotiabank upped their price target on Verizon Communications from $51.50 to $52.50 and gave the stock a "sector outperform" rating in a report on Monday, July 27th. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and twelve have assigned a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $50.84.

About Verizon Communications

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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