Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) Shares Up 2.7% - Still a Buy?

Key Points

• Verizon shares rose 2.7% to about $47.23 midday, supported by a dividend increase to $0.7075 quarterly (a 6.0% yield) and product moves like expanding its Frontline Network Slice to laptops, tablets and smartphones.
• The next major catalyst is Verizon’s Q1 2026 earnings webcast on April 27; analysts hold a "Moderate Buy" consensus with an average target near $50.56, but sentiment is partly offset by insider selling, institutional trims and growing competition (e.g., AST SpaceMobile).

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ - Get Free Report)'s share price shot up 2.7% during mid-day trading on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $47.52 and last traded at $47.2320. 22,595,869 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 27% from the average session volume of 30,833,174 shares. The stock had previously closed at $45.98.

Verizon Communications News Roundup

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

• Positive Sentiment: Verizon expanded its Frontline Network Slice to compatible laptops, tablets and smartphones — broadening a dedicated, secure 5G service for first responders and government users, which supports revenue upside from enterprise/government contracts and differentiates VZ's network offerings. Verizon Frontline Network Slice available for laptops, tablets and smartphones nationwide
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst/income coverage highlights Verizon’s attractive ~4%+ yield and steady cash flow profile, reinforcing demand from dividend-focused investors who favor reliability over high growth — a support for the share price in a low-volatility sector. AT&T vs. Verizon vs. T-Mobile: Why This 4.4% Yield Is the Steadiest Bet in Telecom.
• Neutral Sentiment: Verizon will host its Q1 2026 earnings webcast on April 27 (8:30 a.m. ET). The report and management commentary will be the next major catalyst — likely to move shares short-term depending on results vs. expectations and commentary on Frontier integration, fiber build, and wireless trends. Verizon to report first-quarter earnings on April 27, 2026
• Neutral Sentiment: Pre-earnings analysis flags both growth drivers (Frontier deal, 5G monetization, fiber expansion) and rising competition — meaning the quarter could confirm steady cash generation but limit near-term upside if wireless or broadband trends disappoint. Verizon to Report Q1 Earnings: How to Approach the Stock Now?
• Negative Sentiment: Regulatory approval for AST SpaceMobile’s direct-to-device network could add a new competitor for certain connectivity use cases (rural/resilient coverage), increasing long-term competition for telecom operators — a potential headwind for future market share in niche areas. FCC Grants AST SpaceMobile Commercial Authority
• Negative Sentiment: Insider selling and large institutional portfolio reductions were flagged in recent data (notable block sales and several large funds trimming VZ), which can weigh on sentiment and suggests some investors are reallocating away from the name ahead of earnings. Verizon Communications Inc. Schedules First-Quarter 2026 Earnings Report and Webcast (Quiver summary with insider/institutional notes)

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts have recently commented on VZ shares. Evercore boosted their target price on shares of Verizon Communications from $48.00 to $50.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Monday, February 2nd. Raymond James Financial reissued an "outperform" rating and set a $56.00 price target on shares of Verizon Communications in a report on Thursday, March 12th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on shares of Verizon Communications from $41.00 to $44.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Monday, February 2nd. Dbs Bank cut shares of Verizon Communications from a "moderate buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 7th. Finally, Oppenheimer lifted their target price on shares of Verizon Communications from $50.00 to $56.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Wednesday, March 11th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have given a Buy rating and ten have given a Hold rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Verizon Communications has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $50.56.

Verizon Communications Price Performance

The stock has a fifty day moving average of $49.15 and a 200-day moving average of $43.76. The company has a quick ratio of 0.87, a current ratio of 0.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.32. The firm has a market capitalization of $197.43 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.66, a PEG ratio of 1.19 and a beta of 0.29.

Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, January 30th. The cell phone carrier reported $1.09 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.06 by $0.03. The firm had revenue of $36.38 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $36.20 billion. Verizon Communications had a net margin of 12.43% and a return on equity of 19.03%. The company's revenue was up 2.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.10 EPS. Verizon Communications has set its FY 2026 guidance at 4.900-4.950 EPS. Equities analysts predict that Verizon Communications Inc. will post 4.9 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Verizon Communications Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, April 10th will be paid a dividend of $0.7075 per share. This represents a $2.83 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.0%. This is an increase from Verizon Communications's previous quarterly dividend of $0.69. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, April 10th. Verizon Communications's payout ratio is currently 69.88%.

Insider Activity at Verizon Communications

In other Verizon Communications news, EVP Joseph J. Russo sold 9,579 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, February 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $44.88, for a total value of $429,905.52. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 44,045 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,976,739.60. This trade represents a 17.86% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Hans Erik Vestberg sold 200,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $49.61, for a total value of $9,922,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 145,069 shares in the company, valued at $7,196,873.09. The trade was a 57.96% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders sold a total of 218,148 shares of company stock valued at $10,780,356 over the last quarter. Corporate insiders own 0.10% of the company's stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Verizon Communications

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Brighton Jones LLC raised its stake in shares of Verizon Communications by 61.2% during the fourth quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 43,986 shares of the cell phone carrier's stock worth $1,759,000 after buying an additional 16,704 shares during the last quarter. United Bank boosted its stake in Verizon Communications by 11.5% in the second quarter. United Bank now owns 7,843 shares of the cell phone carrier's stock valued at $339,000 after acquiring an additional 806 shares during the last quarter. Jump Financial LLC boosted its stake in Verizon Communications by 312.0% in the second quarter. Jump Financial LLC now owns 23,639 shares of the cell phone carrier's stock valued at $1,023,000 after acquiring an additional 17,901 shares during the last quarter. HUB Investment Partners LLC grew its holdings in Verizon Communications by 17.2% during the 2nd quarter. HUB Investment Partners LLC now owns 41,121 shares of the cell phone carrier's stock worth $1,779,000 after acquiring an additional 6,034 shares during the period. Finally, Vivaldi Capital Management LP raised its position in shares of Verizon Communications by 5.2% during the 2nd quarter. Vivaldi Capital Management LP now owns 8,993 shares of the cell phone carrier's stock valued at $389,000 after acquiring an additional 443 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 62.06% of the company's stock.

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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