Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) Stock Price Down 1.5% - Should You Sell?

Key Points

• Verizon shares fell 1.5% on Wednesday, trading as low as $47.17 on volume below its average session level. The stock remains near recent analyst targets, with a consensus price objective of about $50.59.
• Recent commentary was mixed: Verizon has benefited from wireless subscriber gains, lower churn, and fiber expansion, but it also faces concerns about customer losses, new plan changes, rising-rate pressure on telecom dividends, and workforce cuts.
• In its latest earnings report, Verizon beat EPS expectations with $1.28 per share, but revenue of $34.44 billion came in slightly below estimates. The company also issued FY 2026 EPS guidance of 4.950-4.990.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ - Get Free Report) shares fell 1.5% during trading on Wednesday . The company traded as low as $47.17 and last traded at $47.1920. 21,186,393 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 28% from the average session volume of 29,545,111 shares. The stock had previously closed at $47.93.

Verizon Communications News Summary

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

• Positive Sentiment: Analysts and market commentary note that Verizon’s shares have performed well year to date, helped by wireless subscriber gains, lower churn, and fiber expansion that could support longer-term growth. Verizon Shares Rise 17.7% YTD: How Should You Play the Stock?
• Positive Sentiment: Verizon’s debt exchange offers may help streamline its capital structure and improve financial flexibility after recent acquisition-related financing activity. Verizon Debt Moves Reshape Capital Structure And Investor Risk Profile
• Neutral Sentiment: Verizon presented at MoffettNathanson’s Media, Internet & Communications Conference, but no major new catalyst was highlighted in the headline transcript item. Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ) Presents at MoffettNathanson's Media, Internet & Communications Conference Transcript
• Negative Sentiment: A report warned that Verizon’s latest phone plan changes could alienate customers, adding to concerns after the company lost more than 2.25 million customers over the past three years. Verizon’s latest phone plan change may drive away consumers
• Negative Sentiment: Broader sector commentary also flagged Verizon as one of the telecom names facing pressure in a rising-rate environment, where dividend yields become less attractive versus short-term Treasuries. 3 Sectors That Look Most Vulnerable Ahead of May 15
• Negative Sentiment: Additional coverage noted new workforce cuts, reinforcing investor concerns that Verizon is still working through cost reduction and restructuring pressures. Verizon CEO cuts to the chase on new layoffs and AI future

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

VZ has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price objective on Verizon Communications from $44.00 to $46.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 28th. Williams Trading set a $54.00 price target on shares of Verizon Communications in a report on Monday, February 2nd. KeyCorp reaffirmed a "sector weight" rating on shares of Verizon Communications in a research note on Monday, January 26th. Morgan Stanley lifted their price objective on shares of Verizon Communications from $49.00 to $50.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a report on Tuesday, April 28th. Finally, Dbs Bank cut shares of Verizon Communications from a "moderate buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 7th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have issued a Buy rating and eleven have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $50.59.

Verizon Communications Stock Performance

The company has a current ratio of 0.64, a quick ratio of 0.61 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.38. The stock has a market cap of $197.05 billion, a PE ratio of 11.51, a P/E/G ratio of 0.99 and a beta of 0.24. The business's 50-day moving average price is $48.69 and its 200-day moving average price is $44.35.

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 for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.21 by $0.07. Verizon Communications had a net margin of 12.46% and a return on equity of 19.25%. The company had revenue of $34.44 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $34.82 billion. During the same period last year, the firm 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, equities research analysts expect that Verizon Communications Inc. will post 4.96 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Verizon Communications news, SVP Mary-Lee Stillwell sold 8,569 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $50.00, for a total value of $428,450.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president directly 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 transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Hans Erik Vestberg sold 200,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $49.61, for a total value of $9,922,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 145,069 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $7,196,873.09. This 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 owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Verizon Communications

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Godshalk Welsh Capital Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Verizon Communications in the first quarter worth $223,000. Arvest Bank Trust Division increased its position in shares of Verizon Communications by 2.3% in the 1st quarter. Arvest Bank Trust Division now owns 15,040 shares of the cell phone carrier's stock valued at $755,000 after acquiring an additional 342 shares during the period. First Citizens Bank & Trust Co. increased its position in shares of Verizon Communications by 4.0% in the 1st quarter. First Citizens Bank & Trust Co. now owns 32,558 shares of the cell phone carrier's stock valued at $1,634,000 after acquiring an additional 1,259 shares during the period. CI Investments Inc. raised its stake in Verizon Communications by 21.4% in the 1st quarter. CI Investments Inc. now owns 239,398 shares of the cell phone carrier's stock worth $12,018,000 after acquiring an additional 42,240 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Marin Bay Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its position in Verizon Communications by 53.0% during the 1st quarter. Marin Bay Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 12,363 shares of the cell phone carrier's stock worth $567,000 after acquiring an additional 4,284 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 62.06% of the company's stock.

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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