Insider Selling: Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) CEO Sells 1,100 Shares of Stock

Key Points

• Verizon CEO Kyle Malady sold 1,100 shares at an average price of $47.65, generating $52,415; the transaction was conducted under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 plan. He continues to own 104,366 shares.
• Malady has made several similar weekly sales since August, selling 1,100 shares in each transaction as Verizon’s stock price declined from roughly $50 to $47.65.
• Verizon recently declared a quarterly dividend of $0.7075, equivalent to an annualized $2.83 payout and a 6.0% yield. Analysts maintain a consensus “Hold” rating with an average price target of $50.97.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ - Get Free Report) CEO Kyle Malady sold 1,100 shares of Verizon Communications stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $47.65, for a total transaction of $52,415.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer owned 104,366 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $4,973,039.90. This represents a 1.04% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan.

Kyle Malady also recently made the following trade(s):

• On Tuesday, September 8th, Kyle Malady sold 1,100 shares of Verizon Communications stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $49.98, for a total transaction of $54,978.00.
• On Tuesday, September 1st, Kyle Malady sold 1,100 shares of Verizon Communications stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $50.50, for a total value of $55,550.00.
• On Tuesday, August 25th, Kyle Malady sold 1,100 shares of Verizon Communications stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $50.06, for a total value of $55,066.00.
• On Tuesday, August 18th, Kyle Malady sold 1,100 shares of Verizon Communications stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $48.68, for a total value of $53,548.00.

Verizon Communications Trading Up 0.9%

VZ traded up $0.42 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $46.88. 10,770,286 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 27,341,277. The firm's fifty day moving average is $48.00 and its two-hundred day moving average is $47.47. Verizon Communications Inc. has a 1-year low of $38.39 and a 1-year high of $51.68. The company has a market cap of $194.75 billion, a PE ratio of 12.20, a PEG ratio of 1.62 and a beta of 0.26. 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 posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, July 24th. The cell phone carrier reported $1.30 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.27 by $0.03. The business 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 company's quarterly revenue was down .7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.22 earnings per share. Verizon Communications has set its FY 2026 guidance at 4.990-5.040 EPS. Equities analysts forecast that Verizon Communications Inc. will post 5.03 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Verizon Communications Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, November 2nd. Shareholders of record on Friday, October 9th will be given a $0.7075 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, October 9th. This represents a $2.83 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.0%. Verizon Communications's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 73.70%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several brokerages recently weighed in on VZ. Barclays raised their target price on shares of Verizon Communications from $45.00 to $46.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a report on Monday, July 27th. Weiss Ratings reissued a "buy (b)" rating on shares of Verizon Communications in a research report on Wednesday, August 26th. Moffett Nathanson reduced their price objective on shares of Verizon Communications from $56.00 to $49.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, July 20th. Morgan Stanley lifted their price objective on shares of Verizon Communications from $50.00 to $52.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Monday, July 27th. Finally, Freedom Capital upgraded shares of Verizon Communications to a "hold" rating in a research note on Friday, June 12th. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and twelve have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $50.97.

More Verizon Communications News

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

• Positive Sentiment: Verizon is investing $70 million in a nationwide program offering free artificial-intelligence training to job seekers, small businesses and educators. Partnerships with Goodwill, IBM, Google, Microsoft, Anthropic and OpenAI could strengthen Verizon’s public profile and support long-term demand for connectivity and digital services, although the near-term earnings impact is likely limited. Reuters article on Verizon's AI training investment
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts view Verizon as a potential leader in the 2027 spectrum auction, reflecting the company’s need to expand network capacity as 5G usage grows and 6G development progresses. Recent product launches, research partnerships and promotions are also reinforcing the company’s long-term network strategy. Yahoo Finance article on Verizon and the 2027 spectrum auction
• Positive Sentiment: A recent valuation analysis estimates Verizon may be approximately 6% undervalued as its 5G and 6G plans expand. Its high dividend yield and relatively low earnings multiple may provide support for income-oriented investors, despite recent share-price weakness. Yahoo Finance valuation analysis of Verizon
• Neutral Sentiment: Verizon is seeking approval to discontinue a legacy landline service in nine states. Ending the service could reduce operating costs, but regulatory scrutiny, customer disruption and potential reputational risks make the financial outcome uncertain. TheStreet article on Verizon's landline service plans
• Negative Sentiment: Verizon could spend as much as $20 billion in the 2027 spectrum auction. While additional spectrum is strategically important, the potential cash outlay could increase capital-allocation pressure and raise concerns about leverage, especially for a dividend-focused company. Yahoo Finance spectrum auction report
• Negative Sentiment: A contractor’s fiber cut in New Jersey disrupted a backup data feed used by air-traffic controllers and contributed to hundreds of flight delays. Although the incident was accidental and temporary, it highlights operational and reliability risks that could lead to regulatory or customer concerns. Seeking Alpha report on Verizon's fiber cut

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Verizon Communications

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Cornerstone Financial Management LLC raised its position in shares of 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 buying an additional 207 shares in the last quarter. RKL Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Verizon Communications by 4.3% during the first quarter. RKL Wealth Management LLC now owns 5,338 shares of the cell phone carrier's stock valued at $268,000 after acquiring an additional 218 shares during the period. Manchester Financial Inc. increased its stake in shares of Verizon Communications by 0.6% during the second quarter. Manchester Financial Inc. now owns 34,924 shares of the cell phone carrier's stock valued at $1,479,000 after acquiring an additional 218 shares during the period. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL raised its holdings in 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 raised its holdings in Verizon Communications by 32.7% during the first quarter. Frazier Financial Advisors LLC now owns 888 shares of the cell phone carrier's stock worth $45,000 after purchasing an additional 219 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 62.06% of the company's stock.

About Verizon Communications

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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