Verizon Communications Inc. $VZ Stock Holdings Cut by Erste Asset Management GmbH

Erste Asset Management GmbH cut its position in shares of Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) by 82.8% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 44,468 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock after selling 213,622 shares during the quarter. Erste Asset Management GmbH’s holdings in Verizon Communications were worth $1,929,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Bay Harbor Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Verizon Communications by 122.2% in the second quarter. Bay Harbor Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,162 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock valued at $49,000 after buying an additional 639 shares during the period. Creative Financial Designs Inc. ADV grew its holdings in Verizon Communications by 4.2% during the second quarter. Creative Financial Designs Inc. ADV now owns 12,687 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock worth $537,000 after acquiring an additional 510 shares during the period. Marks Group Wealth Management Inc grew its holdings in Verizon Communications by 0.9% during the second quarter. Marks Group Wealth Management Inc now owns 49,720 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock worth $2,105,000 after acquiring an additional 432 shares during the period. Latitude Advisors LLC raised its position in Verizon Communications by 3.1% in the second quarter. Latitude Advisors LLC now owns 16,791 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock worth $711,000 after acquiring an additional 510 shares in the last quarter. Finally, P.A.W. Capital Corp bought a new stake in Verizon Communications in the second quarter worth about $2,410,000. Institutional investors own 62.06% of the company’s stock.

Verizon Communications Price Performance

VZ stock opened at $48.50 on Friday. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $45.30 and a two-hundred day moving average of $46.99. The firm has a market capitalization of $201.51 billion, a PE ratio of 12.63, a P/E/G ratio of 1.34 and a beta of 0.25. 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 one year low of $38.39 and a one year high of $51.68.

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

Verizon Communications Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, August 3rd. Shareholders of record on Friday, July 10th were paid a dividend of $0.7075 per share. This represents a $2.83 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, July 10th. Verizon Communications’s payout ratio is 73.70%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

VZ has been the subject of several research reports. Freedom Capital upgraded shares of Verizon Communications to a “hold” rating in a research report on Friday, June 12th. Moffett Nathanson cut their target price on shares of Verizon Communications from $56.00 to $49.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, July 20th. Royal Bank Of Canada raised their target price on shares of Verizon Communications from $46.00 to $47.00 and gave the stock a “sector perform” rating in a report on Monday, July 27th. Barclays lifted their price target on shares of Verizon Communications from $45.00 to $46.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Monday, July 27th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Verizon Communications in a report on Friday, May 29th. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and twelve have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $50.84.

Trending Headlines about Verizon Communications

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

• Positive Sentiment: Verizon is using its fiber network to support AI-related connectivity, including a reported $1 billion-plus agreement with Google and potential additional hyperscaler contracts. These deals could create new enterprise revenue opportunities beyond traditional wireless services. Can AI Infrastructure Drive Verizon’s Next Long-Term Growth?
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts continue to highlight Verizon as a value stock, supported by its relatively modest valuation, income potential and defensive telecommunications business. That profile may appeal to investors seeking stability while broader markets remain elevated. Here’s Why Verizon Communications Is a Strong Value Stock
• Positive Sentiment: Verizon’s preparation for Tropical Storm Lala in Hawaii— including backup generators, satellite assets and pre-positioned equipment— reinforces network reliability and customer support, though the immediate financial impact is likely limited. Verizon Readies for Tropical Storm Lala
• Neutral Sentiment: A comparison with Nokia emphasizes Verizon’s connectivity strengths as both companies position for AI-driven telecom demand. The article does not identify a material change to Verizon’s near-term earnings outlook. Verizon vs. Nokia: Which Telecom Stock is the Better Buy Now?
• Negative Sentiment: Investors remain mindful that Verizon has returned substantial cash to shareholders while its stock has lagged the broader market. This raises questions about whether dividends and buybacks are producing sufficient shareholder value compared with reinvestment in growth. VZ Paid Holders $59 Billion While the Stock Trailed the Market

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.