MAI Capital Management grew its stake in Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ – Free Report) by 2.1% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 1,005,992 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock after buying an additional 21,050 shares during the quarter. MAI Capital Management’s holdings in Verizon Communications were worth $44,213,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.
Several other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in VZ. TruNorth Capital Management LLC raised its stake in Verizon Communications by 95.3% in the third quarter. TruNorth Capital Management LLC now owns 625 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 305 shares in the last quarter. Global Wealth Strategies & Associates boosted its stake in Verizon Communications by 739.5% during the 3rd quarter. Global Wealth Strategies & Associates now owns 680 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 599 shares during the period. Winnow Wealth LLC purchased a new position in Verizon Communications during the 2nd quarter worth $34,000. Silicon Valley Capital Partners lifted its holdings in shares of Verizon Communications by 52.4% during the second quarter. Silicon Valley Capital Partners now owns 782 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock worth $34,000 after purchasing an additional 269 shares during the period. Finally, Richardson Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in Verizon Communications during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $35,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 62.06% of the company’s stock.
Insiders Place Their Bets
In related news, EVP Joseph J. Russo sold 9,579 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $44.88, for a total value of $429,905.52. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 44,045 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,976,739.60. The trade was a 17.86% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. 0.10% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.
Verizon Communications Price Performance
Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ – Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, January 30th. The cell phone carrier reported $1.09 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.06 by $0.03. The firm had revenue of $36.38 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $36.20 billion. Verizon Communications had a net margin of 12.43% and a return on equity of 19.03%. The firm’s revenue was up 2.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $1.10 EPS. Verizon Communications has set its FY 2026 guidance at 4.900-4.950 EPS. Sell-side analysts expect that Verizon Communications Inc. will post 4.69 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.
Verizon Communications Increases Dividend
The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 1st. Investors of record on Friday, April 10th will be paid a $0.7075 dividend. This represents a $2.83 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.7%. This is a positive change from Verizon Communications’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.69. The ex-dividend date is Friday, April 10th. Verizon Communications’s payout ratio is 68.15%.
Analyst Ratings Changes
A number of equities research analysts recently commented on the stock. Sanford C. Bernstein reissued a “market perform” rating and issued a $48.00 price objective on shares of Verizon Communications in a research note on Monday, February 2nd. Royal Bank Of Canada raised their price objective on Verizon Communications from $44.00 to $48.00 and gave the stock a “sector perform” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 3rd. Evercore boosted their price objective on shares of Verizon Communications from $48.00 to $50.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Monday, February 2nd. Weiss Ratings raised shares of Verizon Communications from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a research report on Thursday, February 5th. Finally, William Blair raised Verizon Communications to an “outperform” rating in a research report on Monday, February 2nd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have given a Buy rating and eleven have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $49.02.
View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Verizon Communications
More Verizon Communications News
Here are the key news stories impacting Verizon Communications this week:
- Positive Sentiment: Daiwa upgraded VZ to Buy and raised its price target to $58, citing stronger-than-expected subscriber growth and fourth-quarter momentum that supports upside to estimates. Daiwa Upgrades Verizon (VZ) as Subscriber Growth Signals Strong Momentum
- Positive Sentiment: Technical momentum — VZ recently traded to a 52‑week high and cleared a “golden cross” (50‑day SMA above 200‑day SMA), which often attracts momentum and technical funds. Verizon Communications stock hits 52-week high at 50.25 USD
- Positive Sentiment: Additional technical coverage highlights the golden cross as a potential buy signal for traders, reinforcing the recent price strength. Verizon Communications (VZ) Now Trades Above Golden Cross: Time to Buy?
- Positive Sentiment: Zacks and other analysts spotlight VZ as a momentum/value pick versus peers — noting cheaper valuation and rising 2026 estimates relative to T-Mobile, which supports rotation into VZ for income + growth exposure. Verizon vs. T-Mobile: Which 5G Stock is the Better Buy Today?
- Positive Sentiment: Dividend/income investors are noticing VZ again — it was listed among high‑yield dividend stalwarts that appeal to conservative, yield-seeking portfolios. That can support demand from income funds. 20 Years on Wall Street Taught Me: Boomers Feel Safe With 5 High-Yield Dividend Giants
- Neutral Sentiment: Verizon completed a €2.25 billion euro and sterling junior subordinated notes sale — a debt raise that appears aimed at refinancing/capital management; it increases outstanding debt but is structured debt, so the near‑term impact is neutral unless credit costs change. Verizon Issues Euro and Sterling Junior Subordinated Notes
- Neutral Sentiment: Management presentation transcript from the Barclays Communications & Content Symposium is available — useful for detail on strategy and 5G/content initiatives, but it contains no major surprises in this release cycle. Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ) Presents at Barclays Communications and Content Symposium 2026 Transcript
- Neutral Sentiment: Broad market volatility headlines (Dow weakness) could cap upside in short windows despite company-specific strength — macro moves remain a watch point for timing. Stock Market Today: Dow Dives As EU Makes Trump Tariff Move; Novo Plunges On This (Live Coverage)
Verizon Communications 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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