Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) Trading 1.2% Higher Following Dividend Announcement

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) was up 1.2% during trading on Friday after the company announced a dividend. The stock traded as high as $46.11 and last traded at $45.3910. Approximately 22,712,504 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 20% from the average daily volume of 28,463,529 shares. The stock had previously closed at $44.87.

The newly announced dividend which will be paid on Monday, August 3rd. Shareholders of record on Friday, July 10th will be given a $0.7075 dividend. This represents a $2.83 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, July 10th. Verizon Communications’s payout ratio is currently 69.02%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

VZ has been the topic of several analyst reports. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on shares of Verizon Communications from $44.00 to $46.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 28th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Verizon Communications in a research note on Friday, May 29th. Citigroup upped their price objective on shares of Verizon Communications from $50.00 to $55.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, March 20th. Oppenheimer raised their target price on Verizon Communications from $50.00 to $56.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, March 11th. Finally, Erste Group Bank reaffirmed a “hold” rating on shares of Verizon Communications in a research report on Tuesday, May 5th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have issued a Buy rating and eleven have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $50.59.

Verizon Communications Stock Performance

The stock’s 50-day moving average price is $47.64 and its 200 day moving average price is $45.27. The company has a quick ratio of 0.61, a current ratio of 0.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.38. The company has a market cap of $189.53 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.07, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.11 and a beta of 0.24.

Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) last posted its quarterly earnings data 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. The business had revenue of $34.44 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $34.82 billion. Verizon Communications had a net margin of 12.46% and a return on equity of 19.25%. Verizon Communications’s quarterly revenue was up 2.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.19 EPS. Verizon Communications has set its FY 2026 guidance at 4.950-4.990 EPS. As a group, research analysts expect that Verizon Communications Inc. will post 4.96 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Verizon Communications News Roundup

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

• Positive Sentiment: Verizon reaffirmed its income-investor appeal by declaring a quarterly dividend of $0.7075 per share, keeping the payout unchanged and signaling continued commitment to shareholder returns. Verizon declares quarterly dividend on June 4, 2026
• Positive Sentiment: Several recent pieces highlighted Verizon’s dividend yield, free cash flow, subscriber gains, broadband growth, and AI initiatives, which can support the stock among yield-focused investors. VZ Shares Rise 8.6% in Six Months: What’s the Next Move for Investors?
• Neutral Sentiment: Commentary suggesting Verizon could be a “value trap” may temper enthusiasm, but it largely reflects valuation debate rather than a fresh business setback. Forget Wall Street’s Ultimate Telecom Value Trap and Buy the Real Free Cash Flow King
• Negative Sentiment: The U.S. Supreme Court sided with the FCC in a dispute involving Verizon, preserving the agency’s ability to levy fines and raising the risk of regulatory penalties for the company. US Supreme Court backs FCC in clash with wireless carriers over fines
• Negative Sentiment: Another article said Verizon shares fell after the Supreme Court ruling, underscoring investor concern that the legal loss could hurt sentiment and add to regulatory overhang. Verizon (VZ) Stock Trades Down, Here Is Why
• Negative Sentiment: Analysts also flagged growing broadband competition from Starlink and store backlash, which adds pressure to Verizon’s growth outlook and valuation. Verizon Confronts Store Backlash And Starlink Threat As Valuation Gap Widens

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Verizon Communications

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Brighton Jones LLC raised its stake in Verizon Communications by 61.2% during the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 43,986 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock valued at $1,759,000 after purchasing an additional 16,704 shares during the last quarter. United Bank grew its position in Verizon Communications by 11.5% in the 2nd quarter. United Bank now owns 7,843 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock worth $339,000 after purchasing an additional 806 shares during the last quarter. Jump Financial LLC increased its holdings in shares of Verizon Communications by 312.0% during the 2nd quarter. Jump Financial LLC now owns 23,639 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock worth $1,023,000 after purchasing an additional 17,901 shares during the period. HUB Investment Partners LLC increased its holdings in shares of Verizon Communications by 17.2% during the 2nd quarter. HUB Investment Partners LLC now owns 41,121 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock worth $1,779,000 after purchasing an additional 6,034 shares during the period. Finally, Vivaldi Capital Management LP raised its position in shares of Verizon Communications by 5.2% during the second quarter. Vivaldi Capital Management LP now owns 8,993 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock valued at $389,000 after buying an additional 443 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 62.06% of the company’s stock.

About Verizon Communications

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.