TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. Cuts Stock Holdings in Verizon Communications Inc. $VZ

TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. reduced its position in Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) by 9.8% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 867,206 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock after selling 94,416 shares during the period. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc.’s holdings in Verizon Communications were worth $36,443,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in VZ. USS Investment Management Ltd increased its stake in shares of Verizon Communications by 4.6% during the first quarter. USS Investment Management Ltd now owns 713,156 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock worth $35,790,000 after purchasing an additional 31,354 shares in the last quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas lifted its stake in Verizon Communications by 41.0% in the 4th quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas now owns 2,197,366 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock valued at $89,499,000 after buying an additional 639,380 shares in the last quarter. Clarity Financial LLC lifted its stake in Verizon Communications by 697.0% in the 4th quarter. Clarity Financial LLC now owns 471,127 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock valued at $19,189,000 after buying an additional 412,018 shares in the last quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. boosted its holdings in Verizon Communications by 15.3% in the 4th quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 2,382,975 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock worth $97,059,000 after buying an additional 316,854 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Keudell Morrison Wealth Management acquired a new stake in Verizon Communications in the 4th quarter worth about $2,171,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 62.06% of the company’s stock.

More Verizon Communications News

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

Verizon Communications Trading Up 2.6%

VZ opened at $48.19 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $200.20 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.55, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.31 and a beta of 0.25. The company’s 50 day simple moving average is $45.23 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $46.98. Verizon Communications Inc. has a 1-year low of $38.39 and a 1-year high of $51.68. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.36, a current ratio of 0.60 and a quick ratio of 0.57.

Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) last posted 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. Verizon Communications had a return on equity of 19.48% and a net margin of 11.64%.The business had revenue of $34.25 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $35.16 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $1.22 earnings per share. The business’s revenue was down .7% compared to the same quarter last year. Verizon Communications has set its FY 2026 guidance at 4.990-5.040 EPS. Analysts expect that Verizon Communications Inc. will post 5.03 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Verizon Communications Announces Dividend

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

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts have commented on VZ shares. Royal Bank Of Canada increased their target price on Verizon Communications from $46.00 to $47.00 and gave the company a “sector perform” rating in a report on Monday, July 27th. Moffett Nathanson dropped 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. Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on Verizon Communications from $50.00 to $52.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Monday, July 27th. Weiss Ratings reissued a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Verizon Communications in a research note on Friday, May 29th. Finally, TD Cowen raised their price objective on Verizon Communications from $54.00 to $56.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, July 27th. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and twelve have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target 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.