Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) Issues FY 2026 Earnings Guidance

30 Jan 2026, 21:08 by Mitch Edgeman · The Markets Daily

Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ – Get Free Report) issued an update on its FY 2026 earnings guidance on Friday morning. The company provided EPS guidance of 4.900-4.950 for the period, compared to the consensus EPS estimate of 4.790. The company issued revenue guidance of -.

Verizon Communications Price Performance

Verizon Communications stock traded up $4.71 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $44.52. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 105,555,285 shares, compared to its average volume of 32,992,414. The firm has a market capitalization of $187.70 billion, a PE ratio of 9.51, a P/E/G ratio of 3.76 and a beta of 0.34. Verizon Communications has a fifty-two week low of $38.39 and a fifty-two week high of $47.35. The stock’s 50 day simple moving average is $40.25 and its 200 day simple moving average is $41.55. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.19, a quick ratio of 0.69 and a current ratio of 0.74.

Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ – Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, January 30th. The cell phone carrier reported $1.09 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.06 by $0.03. The business had revenue of $36.38 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $36.20 billion. Verizon Communications had a return on equity of 19.31% and a net margin of 14.43%.The company’s quarterly revenue was up 2.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $1.10 EPS. Verizon Communications has set its FY 2026 guidance at 4.900-4.950 EPS. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Verizon Communications will post 4.69 earnings per share for the current year.

Verizon Communications Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 2nd. Investors of record on Monday, January 12th will be given a dividend of $0.69 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, January 12th. This represents a $2.76 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.2%. Verizon Communications’s dividend payout ratio is 58.97%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price on Verizon Communications from $43.00 to $41.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a report on Monday. KeyCorp reaffirmed a “sector weight” rating on shares of Verizon Communications in a report on Monday. Scotiabank lifted their target price on Verizon Communications from $50.50 to $51.00 and gave the company a “sector perform” rating in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. TD Cowen reduced their price objective on Verizon Communications from $56.00 to $51.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Finally, Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on shares of Verizon Communications from $48.00 to $47.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, December 10th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have issued a Buy rating and twelve have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Verizon Communications presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $47.43.

View Our Latest Stock Report on Verizon Communications

Trending Headlines about Verizon Communications

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

Positive Sentiment: VZ beat Q4 estimates on both EPS and revenue and gave bullish 2026 profit & FCF guidance, which is the main catalyst lifting the stock as investors favor earnings beats and clearer growth visibility. Reuters: Verizon forecasts upbeat annual profit
Positive Sentiment: Verizon reported its highest quarterly wireless subscriber additions since 2019 (strong postpaid net adds and broadband/fiber densification drove revenue growth), supporting the upbeat guidance and giving investors confidence in customer momentum. GlobeNewswire: Verizon delivers on 2025 guidance
Positive Sentiment: Market and press coverage highlights the beat + subscriber strength, which amplifies buying interest from income and value investors given VZ’s high dividend yield. ProactiveInvestors: Verizon beats Q4 estimates
Positive Sentiment: Unusual options activity showed heavy call buying (well above average daily volume), signaling that some traders are positioning for further upside after the print. (Market options data entry)
Positive Sentiment: Verizon emphasized network resilience (mobile assets, backup power, crisis teams) for winter storms — a credit to reliability that can support retention and long-term ARPU improvements. Zacks: VZ enhances network resilience
Neutral Sentiment: The full Q4 earnings call transcript and slide deck provide detail on margin dynamics, expense drivers (including fiber build costs) and capital allocation — useful for investors modelling 2026. Seeking Alpha: Q4 2025 earnings call transcript
Neutral Sentiment: Macroeconomic/newsflow items (e.g., a new Fed Chair appointment) are moving markets broadly today and may be amplifying volatility; these are directional factors rather than company-specific drivers. Zacks: Pre-market in Red (Fed Chair news)
Negative Sentiment: Wells Fargo recently cut its price target on VZ as part of a wireless-sector reassessment, which could limit near-term upside from some institutional investors. MSN: Wells Fargo cuts Verizon target
Negative Sentiment: Ongoing debate over dividend sustainability and yield safety (coverage highlighting a ~7% yield) keeps some income investors cautious despite the beat — a potential constraint on rerating without sustained cash-flow proof. 24/7 Wall St.: Verizon dividend safety
Negative Sentiment: Small institutional selling was reported (Alpha Cubed trimmed its stake), a minor signal but not a material shift in ownership. DefenseWorld: Alpha Cubed lessened VZ stake

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in VZ. Imprint Wealth LLC bought a new position in shares of Verizon Communications during the third quarter worth $40,000. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd bought a new stake in shares of Verizon Communications during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $57,000. LGT Financial Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Verizon Communications by 115.2% in the 3rd quarter. LGT Financial Advisors LLC now owns 1,500 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock valued at $66,000 after purchasing an additional 803 shares during the period. Beaird Harris Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in Verizon Communications by 18.1% in the 3rd quarter. Beaird Harris Wealth Management LLC now owns 3,752 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock valued at $165,000 after acquiring an additional 575 shares during the period. Finally, WFA of San Diego LLC bought a new stake in shares of Verizon Communications during the second quarter worth approximately $224,000. 62.06% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Verizon Communications Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

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.