Insider Selling: Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) CEO Sells $50,325.00 in Stock

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) CEO Kyle Malady sold 1,100 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, October 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $45.75, for a total value of $50,325.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer owned 102,166 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,674,094.50. The trade was a 1.07% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 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 29th, Kyle Malady sold 1,100 shares of Verizon Communications stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $46.40, for a total value of $51,040.00.
• On Tuesday, September 22nd, Kyle Malady sold 1,100 shares of Verizon Communications stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $47.65, for a total transaction of $52,415.00.
• 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 transaction 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 transaction 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 transaction of $53,548.00.

Verizon Communications Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:VZ traded up $0.04 during trading on Wednesday, hitting $46.02. 7,973,131 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 26,931,773. The company has a market cap of $191.21 billion, a PE ratio of 11.98, a P/E/G ratio of 1.56 and a beta of 0.26. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $48.31 and a 200 day moving average of $47.16. Verizon Communications Inc. has a 52-week low of $38.39 and a 52-week high of $51.68. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.36, a current ratio of 0.60 and a quick ratio of 0.57.

Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, July 24th. The cell phone carrier reported $1.30 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.27 by $0.03. Verizon Communications had a return on equity of 19.48% and a net margin of 11.64%.The company had revenue of $34.25 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $35.16 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.22 earnings per share. The firm’s quarterly revenue was down .7% compared to the same quarter last year. Verizon Communications has set its FY 2026 guidance at 4.990-5.040 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Verizon Communications Inc. will post 5.03 EPS for the current year.

Verizon Communications Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, November 2nd. Stockholders of record on Friday, October 9th will be given a dividend of $0.7075 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, October 9th. This represents a $2.83 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.1%. Verizon Communications’s dividend payout ratio is currently 73.70%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Verizon Communications

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Cornerstone Financial Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Verizon Communications by 6.2% in the 2nd quarter. Cornerstone Financial Management LLC now owns 3,568 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock valued at $151,000 after acquiring an additional 207 shares during the last quarter. RKL Wealth Management LLC raised its position in shares of Verizon Communications by 4.3% in the 1st 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. boosted its stake in Verizon Communications by 0.6% during the 2nd quarter. Manchester Financial Inc. now owns 34,924 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock worth $1,479,000 after acquiring an additional 218 shares during the last quarter. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL grew 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 valued at $113,000 after purchasing an additional 219 shares during the period. Finally, Frazier Financial Advisors LLC grew 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 valued at $45,000 after purchasing an additional 219 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 62.06% of the company’s stock.

Trending Headlines about Verizon Communications

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

• Positive Sentiment: Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile formed a joint venture to expand wireless coverage in underserved rural areas and remote travel corridors. The initiative could strengthen Verizon’s network position, improve emergency connectivity and create additional opportunities in satellite and direct-to-device services. Verizon Communications Joins Wireless Venture To Close U.S. Coverage Gaps
• Positive Sentiment: A reseller agreement with SKYBOXE will make Verizon Business data plans available to more qualified U.S. business customers. The deal may modestly expand enterprise distribution and support Verizon’s fixed-wireless growth. SKYBOXE Enters Reseller Partnership to Offer Verizon Business Data Plans
• Positive Sentiment: Recent commentary points to improving customer trends, broadband growth and a potential long-term opportunity from AI infrastructure demand. Verizon’s relatively high dividend yield also continues to attract income-focused investors, although its appeal is being evaluated against AT&T and safer government-backed yields. VZ Shares Fall 6.5% in Six Months
• Neutral Sentiment: Investors are focused on Verizon’s next earnings release, expected Oct. 26. Results will be important for assessing wireless subscriber momentum, broadband expansion, cash flow and whether the company can support its dividend and full-year outlook. Should You Buy Verizon Communications Stock Before Oct. 26?
• Negative Sentiment: Analysts continue to highlight Verizon’s sizable debt burden and fierce competition, which could limit growth and pressure margins. Its shares have declined over the past six months, underscoring investor concerns despite the dividend and operational improvements. Verizon or AT&T: Which Dividend Is More Reliable?

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms recently weighed in on VZ. Freedom Capital raised shares of Verizon Communications to a “hold” rating in a report on Friday, June 12th. Scotiabank cut their price target on shares of Verizon Communications from $52.50 to $51.50 and set a “sector outperform” rating for the company in a report on Friday, October 2nd. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Verizon Communications in a report on Wednesday, August 26th. TD Cowen increased their price objective on Verizon Communications from $54.00 to $56.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, July 27th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada boosted their target price on Verizon Communications from $46.00 to $47.00 and gave the stock a “sector perform” rating in a research report on Monday, July 27th. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and twelve have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $50.90.

Verizon Communications Company Profile

Verizon Communications Inc is a telecommunications company headquartered in New York City and listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol VZ. The company was formed in 2000 through the merger of Bell Atlantic and GTE and has developed into one of the largest communications providers in the United States.

Verizon’s consumer business provides wireless voice and data services, smartphones and other connected devices, home internet, broadband, and related communications products.