BNP Paribas Exane Cuts Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) Price Target to $44.00

Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) had its target price lowered by equities research analysts at BNP Paribas Exane from $46.00 to $44.00 in a report issued on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. The firm presently has a “neutral” rating on the cell phone carrier’s stock. BNP Paribas Exane’s price target would suggest a potential upside of 4.06% from the company’s current price.

A number of other equities research analysts have also recently issued reports on VZ. Citigroup upped their price objective on shares of Verizon Communications from $50.00 to $55.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, March 20th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Verizon Communications in a research report on Friday, May 29th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on Verizon Communications from $49.00 to $52.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Thursday, April 30th. Barclays dropped their target price on Verizon Communications from $47.00 to $45.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, July 8th. Finally, Freedom Capital upgraded Verizon Communications to a “hold” rating in a research report on Friday, June 12th. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and twelve have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $50.28.

Verizon Communications Price Performance

Shares of NYSE VZ traded down $0.40 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $42.28. 6,769,555 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 29,273,572. The company’s 50-day simple moving average is $46.00 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $46.03. The company has a market capitalization of $176.56 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.32, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.03 and a beta of 0.26. Verizon Communications has a 52-week low of $38.39 and a 52-week high of $51.68. 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 issued its earnings results on Monday, April 27th. The cell phone carrier reported $1.28 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.21 by $0.07. Verizon Communications had a return on equity of 19.25% and a net margin of 12.46%.The business had revenue of $34.44 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $34.82 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.19 earnings per share. Verizon Communications’s revenue for the quarter was up 2.7% on a year-over-year basis. Verizon Communications has set its FY 2026 guidance at 4.950-4.990 EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that Verizon Communications will post 4.98 EPS for the current year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Verizon Communications

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Verizon Communications by 1.5% during the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 379,402,347 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock valued at $15,453,058,000 after buying an additional 5,497,598 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp increased its position in Verizon Communications by 3.5% during the 4th quarter. State Street Corp now owns 222,951,399 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock valued at $9,080,810,000 after buying an additional 7,461,335 shares in the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its stake in Verizon Communications by 5.3% during the fourth quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 116,570,816 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock valued at $4,747,930,000 after buying an additional 5,851,715 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in Verizon Communications by 0.9% in the fourth quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 102,632,509 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock worth $4,168,080,000 after acquiring an additional 867,694 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank of America Corp DE boosted its holdings in Verizon Communications by 15.4% in the first quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 62,101,021 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock worth $3,117,471,000 after acquiring an additional 8,289,877 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 62.06% of the company’s stock.

Verizon Communications News Roundup

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

• Positive Sentiment: Verizon is continuing to expand beyond core wireless service, including new connected-car initiatives with BMW and related 5G automotive services, which could open additional growth avenues. Verizon (VZ) Expands Into BMW Connected Cars And Launches Gizmo Watch 4
• Positive Sentiment: Verizon’s new Gizmo Watch 4 launch supports its family-device ecosystem and could help drive accessory sales and customer engagement. Meet the Gizmo Watch 4: Verizon’s new kid-friendly smartwatch
• Positive Sentiment: Investor interest in Verizon remains elevated ahead of earnings, suggesting traders are still focused on the stock’s dividend and defensive appeal. Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ) is Attracting Investor Attention: Here is What You Should Know
• Neutral Sentiment: Analysts and media coverage are highlighting Verizon as a high-yield income stock, which may support demand from dividend investors but does not change the near-term operating outlook. 3 Income Stocks That Pay More Than Social Security COLA
• Neutral Sentiment: Coverage also continues to frame Verizon as a defensive dividend name, keeping it in the mix for investors seeking stable cash flow. Should You Buy Verizon Communications Stock Before July 24?
• Negative Sentiment: Starlink-related fears are the main headwind for Verizon, with investors worried that satellite connectivity could intensify competition and pressure telecom valuations. SpaceX’s Starlink threat causes Bernstein to cut Verizon, AT&T, Comcast PTs
• Negative Sentiment: Recent commentary from high-profile market voices has added to the cautious tone around Verizon and other telecom stocks. Jim Cramer Warns “I Don’t Want to Own AT&T or Verizon” as Starlink Threatens Telecom Stocks

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.