Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) Stock: Insider Kyle Malady Sells 1,100 Shares

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) CEO Kyle Malady sold 1,100 shares of Verizon Communications stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $47.65, for a total value of $52,415.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 104,366 shares in the company, valued at $4,973,039.90. This trade represents a 1.04% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. 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 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 value of $54,978.00.
• On Tuesday, September 1st, Kyle Malady sold 1,100 shares of Verizon Communications stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $50.50, for a total value 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 Up 1.7%

Verizon Communications stock opened at $47.29 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $196.49 billion, a PE ratio of 12.32, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.58 and a beta of 0.26. Verizon Communications Inc. has a twelve month low of $38.39 and a twelve month high of $51.68. The company has a quick ratio of 0.57, a current ratio of 0.60 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.36. The company has a 50 day moving average of $48.14 and a 200-day moving average of $47.41.

Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, July 24th. The cell phone carrier reported $1.30 EPS for the quarter, topping 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 quarterly revenue was down .7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business posted $1.22 earnings per share. Verizon Communications has set its FY 2026 guidance at 4.990-5.040 EPS. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Verizon Communications Inc. will post 5.03 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Verizon Communications Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, November 2nd. Shareholders of record on Friday, October 9th will be paid a $0.7075 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, October 9th. This represents a $2.83 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.0%. Verizon Communications’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 73.70%.

Key Verizon Communications News

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

• Positive Sentiment: Verizon expanded its premium device lineup with Motorola’s new foldable smartphones and wearables. Customers on its Simplicity plan can receive discounts, while eligible myPlan customers may save up to $1,100 with trade-ins—potentially supporting handset sales, upgrades and wireless retention. Verizon expands premium lineup with new Motorola foldable phones and wearables
• Positive Sentiment: An analyst reiterated a bullish view, citing improving customer churn, broadband expansion, the Frontier acquisition and AI Connect as potential drivers of earnings growth. The analyst assigned a $57 price target and described VZ as trading at a substantial discount to sector valuation multiples. Verizon: Fiber, Lower Churn, And AI Connect Support My Buy Rating
• Positive Sentiment: Verizon’s $70 million nationwide AI-skills initiative, supported by technology and nonprofit partners, may strengthen its brand and position the company in broader technology services. The near-term earnings benefit is likely limited, but the program adds strategic visibility. Verizon to invest $70 million in AI training effort
• Neutral Sentiment: Verizon is preparing its network for Tropical Storm Nolo after completing Hurricane Lowell recovery efforts in Hawaii. The response demonstrates network resilience but could lead to temporary operating and restoration costs. Verizon prepares network for Tropical Storm Nolo
• Neutral Sentiment: CEO Kyle Malady sold 1,100 shares under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 plan. The transaction reduced his direct holdings by about 1%, making it a limited signal for investors. Verizon executive stock sale filing
• Negative Sentiment: The 10-year Treasury yield reached 5.15%, which can pressure high-yield telecom stocks by making bonds more attractive and raising financing costs. Verizon’s roughly 6% dividend yield remains attractive, but rate sensitivity is a key headwind. Three dividend stocks that can still work despite higher yields
• Negative Sentiment: Verizon could spend as much as $20 billion in the 2027 spectrum auction. New spectrum may support future growth, but the potential outlay raises leverage and capital-allocation concerns. Verizon Seen Leading 2027 Spectrum Auction

Institutional Trading of Verizon Communications

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of VZ. State Street Corp raised its stake 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 worth $9,080,810,000 after purchasing an additional 7,461,335 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of 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 valued at $4,168,080,000 after buying an additional 867,694 shares in the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE increased its holdings in Verizon Communications by 15.4% during 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 buying an additional 8,289,877 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new position in Verizon Communications during the fourth quarter worth $2,357,158,000. Finally, UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC raised its position in Verizon Communications by 14.1% during the second quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 41,173,226 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock worth $1,743,274,000 after acquiring an additional 5,075,794 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 62.06% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

VZ has been the subject of a number of research reports. Freedom Capital upgraded Verizon Communications to a “hold” rating in a report on Friday, June 12th. Moffett Nathanson reduced their price target on Verizon Communications from $56.00 to $49.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, July 20th. Scotiabank raised their price target on shares of Verizon Communications from $51.50 to $52.50 and gave the stock a “sector outperform” rating in a research note on Monday, July 27th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted 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, TD Cowen boosted their price objective on shares of Verizon Communications from $54.00 to $56.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, July 27th. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and twelve have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Verizon Communications presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $50.97.

About Verizon Communications

Verizon Communications Inc is a telecommunications company that provides wireless communications, broadband, and related technology services. Its offerings include mobile voice and data plans, 5G connectivity, fixed wireless access, fiber-optic internet through Verizon Fios, home services, and connected-device solutions.

Through Verizon Business, the company serves enterprises, government agencies, and other organizations with communications networks, managed connectivity, cybersecurity, cloud and edge-computing services, unified communications, and Internet of Things solutions.