Leonteq Securities AG Has $4.07 Million Position in Verizon Communications Inc. $VZ

Leonteq Securities AG lifted its stake in shares of Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) by 67.8% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 96,186 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock after purchasing an additional 38,853 shares during the quarter. Leonteq Securities AG’s holdings in Verizon Communications were worth $4,073,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in VZ. Norges Bank bought a new stake in shares of Verizon Communications during the fourth quarter worth $2,357,158,000. Bank of America Corp DE lifted its stake in shares of Verizon Communications by 15.4% in the 1st quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 62,101,021 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock valued at $3,117,471,000 after acquiring an additional 8,289,877 shares during the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp boosted its holdings in shares of Verizon Communications by 31.2% during the 4th quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 31,584,162 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock valued at $1,286,423,000 after acquiring an additional 7,509,055 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp boosted its holdings in shares of 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 acquiring an additional 7,461,335 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. grew its position in Verizon Communications by 5.3% during the 4th quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 116,570,816 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock worth $4,747,930,000 after acquiring an additional 5,851,715 shares during the last quarter. 62.06% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Verizon Communications Trading Up 2.6%

NYSE VZ opened at $48.19 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $200.20 billion, a PE ratio of 12.55, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.31 and a beta of 0.25. The business’s 50-day moving average price is $45.23 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $46.98. The company has a current ratio of 0.60, a quick ratio of 0.57 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.36. Verizon Communications Inc. has a 12 month low of $38.39 and a 12 month high of $51.68.

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

Verizon Communications Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, August 3rd. Shareholders of record on Friday, July 10th were issued a dividend of $0.7075 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, July 10th. This represents a $2.83 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.9%. Verizon Communications’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 73.70%.

Verizon Communications News Summary

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

• Positive Sentiment: Verizon is using its fiber network to support AI data-center and hyperscaler connectivity. A reported deal worth more than $1 billion with Google, along with additional potential hyperscaler agreements, could create new revenue opportunities beyond traditional wireless services. Can AI Infrastructure Drive Verizon’s Next Long-Term Growth?
• Positive Sentiment: Recent commentary highlights rising earnings estimates, stronger wireless performance and fiber expansion as reasons for a more constructive long-term outlook. Verizon’s value characteristics— including a relatively low earnings multiple and substantial shareholder distributions—may attract income- and value-focused investors. Should You Bet on VZ Stock Amid Rising Earnings Estimate Revisions?
• Positive Sentiment: Verizon has begun Pixel 11 preorders with installment and upgrade offerings, supporting device-sales activity and customer acquisition while reinforcing its partnership with Google. Verizon Simplicity meets Google AI
• Neutral Sentiment: The company has prepared its Hawai‘i network for Tropical Storm Lala with generators, satellite assets and pre-positioned equipment. Coordination with emergency agencies supports reliability and reputation, but the announcement is unlikely to materially affect near-term earnings. Verizon readies for Tropical Storm Lala
• Negative Sentiment: Investors continue to weigh Verizon’s heavy debt load, competitive wireless market and capital requirements for fiber and AI infrastructure. Analysts’ average recommendation remains “Hold,” reflecting limited conviction despite the improved growth narrative. Verizon Receives Average Hold Recommendation

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages have issued reports on VZ. Freedom Capital raised Verizon Communications to a “hold” rating in a report on Friday, June 12th. Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their price target on Verizon Communications from $46.00 to $47.00 and gave the company a “sector perform” rating in a research note on Monday, July 27th. Scotiabank upped their price objective on Verizon Communications from $51.50 to $52.50 and gave the company a “sector outperform” rating in a research note on Monday, July 27th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on shares of Verizon Communications from $43.00 to $47.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a report on Monday, July 27th. Finally, Erste Group Bank reiterated a “hold” rating on shares of Verizon Communications in a research report on Tuesday, May 5th. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and twelve have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $50.84.

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.