Virtu Financial LLC Has $11 Million Position in Verizon Communications Inc. $VZ

Virtu Financial LLC grew its position in Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) by 199.8% in the fourth quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 270,003 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock after buying an additional 179,934 shares during the period. Verizon Communications comprises about 0.4% of Virtu Financial LLC’s portfolio, making the stock its 14th biggest holding. Virtu Financial LLC’s holdings in Verizon Communications were worth $10,997,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Blue Capital Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Verizon Communications by 12.5% in the 4th quarter. Blue Capital Inc. now owns 7,605 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock valued at $310,000 after purchasing an additional 845 shares during the period. MV Capital Management Inc. bought a new position in Verizon Communications during the fourth quarter worth about $247,000. Cambient Family Office LLC acquired a new position in Verizon Communications during the fourth quarter worth approximately $528,000. White Knight Strategic Wealth Advisors LLC raised its stake in Verizon Communications by 55.8% in the fourth quarter. White Knight Strategic Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 35,736 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock valued at $1,456,000 after buying an additional 12,803 shares during the period. Finally, Vancity Investment Management Ltd raised its stake in Verizon Communications by 24.1% in the fourth quarter. Vancity Investment Management Ltd now owns 7,665 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock valued at $312,000 after buying an additional 1,487 shares during the period. 62.06% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Verizon Communications News Summary

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

• Positive Sentiment: Verizon unveiled a customer offer that removes two major fees, part of a broader loyalty push that also eliminates activation/upgrade charges. That could help improve retention and ease pressure from elevated wireless churn, potentially supporting revenue stability. Verizon adds new offer that removes 2 major fees for customers
• Neutral Sentiment: Verizon completed the expiration and final results of several debt exchange/tender and consent solicitations, a balance-sheet management move that is likely routine rather than a major near-term earnings driver. Verizon announces expiration and final results of its private exchange offers and consent solicitations for 11 series of notes
• Neutral Sentiment: Verizon also announced final results for tender offers and consent solicitations across multiple note series, which may modestly support financial flexibility but does not change the core operating outlook by itself. Verizon announces expiration and final results of its tender offers and consent solicitations for 20 series of Verizon and certain of its subsidiaries’ notes
• Neutral Sentiment: Several articles noted that Verizon remains on investor watch lists because of its dividend yield and valuation, but these pieces were mostly commentary rather than new company-specific catalysts. Why Is Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) Drawing Telecom Investor Attention?
• Negative Sentiment: Recent trading showed VZ underperforming the broader market, with investors still concerned about competitive pressure and churn in the wireless business. Verizon Communications (VZ) Falls More Steeply Than Broader Market: What Investors Need to Know

Verizon Communications Stock Performance

NYSE VZ opened at $45.44 on Friday. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $46.97 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $45.66. Verizon Communications Inc. has a 12-month low of $38.39 and a 12-month high of $51.68. The company has a market capitalization of $189.72 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.08, a P/E/G ratio of 1.12 and a beta of 0.24. The company has a quick ratio of 0.61, a current ratio of 0.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.38.

Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) last announced its earnings results on Monday, April 27th. The cell phone carrier reported $1.28 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.21 by $0.07. The company had revenue of $34.44 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $34.82 billion. Verizon Communications had a net margin of 12.46% and a return on equity of 19.25%. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 2.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm earned $1.19 earnings per share. Verizon Communications has set its FY 2026 guidance at 4.950-4.990 EPS. Analysts anticipate that Verizon Communications Inc. will post 4.97 earnings per share for the current year.

Verizon Communications Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, August 3rd. Investors of record on Friday, July 10th will be given a $0.7075 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, July 10th. This represents a $2.83 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.2%. Verizon Communications’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 69.02%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several brokerages have recently commented on VZ. Morgan Stanley lifted their target price on Verizon Communications from $49.00 to $50.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 28th. Freedom Capital raised shares of Verizon Communications to a “hold” rating in a research report on Friday, June 12th. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price objective on shares of Verizon Communications from $44.00 to $46.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a report on Tuesday, April 28th. Weiss Ratings reissued a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Verizon Communications in a research report on Friday, May 29th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on shares of Verizon Communications from $49.00 to $52.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Thursday, April 30th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have issued a Buy rating and twelve have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $50.59.

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.