ProShare Advisors LLC Boosts Holdings in Verizon Communications Inc. $VZ

ProShare Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) by 13.3% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 917,352 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock after acquiring an additional 107,377 shares during the period. ProShare Advisors LLC’s holdings in Verizon Communications were worth $37,364,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Frisch Financial Group Inc. lifted its position in Verizon Communications by 0.9% during the fourth quarter. Frisch Financial Group Inc. now owns 39,324 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock valued at $1,602,000 after acquiring an additional 362 shares during the last quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC lifted its position in Verizon Communications by 3.1% during the fourth quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 6,678,090 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock valued at $271,999,000 after acquiring an additional 202,150 shares during the last quarter. Auxano Advisors LLC lifted its position in Verizon Communications by 7.5% during the fourth quarter. Auxano Advisors LLC now owns 5,436 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock valued at $221,000 after acquiring an additional 380 shares during the last quarter. Stronghold Wealth Management L.L.C. purchased a new stake in Verizon Communications during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $292,000. Finally, Entrust Financial LLC purchased a new stake in Verizon Communications during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $137,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 62.06% of the company’s stock.

Insider Buying and Selling at Verizon Communications

In related news, Director Hans Erik Vestberg sold 200,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $49.61, for a total transaction of $9,922,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 145,069 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $7,196,873.09. This trade represents a 57.96% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, SVP Mary-Lee Stillwell sold 8,569 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Monday, March 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $50.00, for a total transaction of $428,450.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 43,782 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,189,100. This trade represents a 16.37% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Company insiders own 0.03% of the company’s stock.

Verizon Communications Trading Up 2.1%

Shares of Verizon Communications stock opened at $47.77 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.38, a current ratio of 0.64 and a quick ratio of 0.61. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $48.31 and a 200 day moving average price of $44.62. Verizon Communications Inc. has a 1 year low of $38.39 and a 1 year high of $51.68. The stock has a market cap of $199.45 billion, a PE ratio of 11.65, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.98 and a beta of 0.24.

Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) last issued its earnings results 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. Verizon Communications had a net margin of 12.46% and a return on equity of 19.25%. The firm had revenue of $34.44 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $34.82 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $1.19 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue was up 2.7% compared to the same quarter last year. Verizon Communications has set its FY 2026 guidance at 4.950-4.990 EPS. Equities research analysts predict that Verizon Communications Inc. will post 4.96 earnings per share for the current year.

Verizon Communications News Summary

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

• Positive Sentiment: Verizon said it added postpaid phone customers for the first time since 2013, while broadband growth and the Frontier deal are helping retention and supporting the consumer segment. VZ Gains From Solid Traction in the Consumer Segment: Will it Sustain?
• Positive Sentiment: Verizon is being highlighted as an attractive undervalued dividend stock, reinforcing its appeal for income-oriented investors. Is Verizon Communications (VZ) One of the Top 12 Undervalued Dividend Stocks to Buy Now?
• Positive Sentiment: The FCC approved Verizon’s spectrum-related move, and the company is also part of a new satellite-based mobile coverage initiative that could help reduce dead zones and improve network reach over time. T-Mobile US Joins Rivals On Satellite Push To Extend Coverage Story
• Neutral Sentiment: Verizon’s annual Data Breach Investigations Report drew broad media attention, but it is mainly a research publication and not a direct business catalyst for the stock. AI-related data breaches surpass stolen credentials in cyber incidents, Verizon report says
• Neutral Sentiment: Comparisons with AT&T and valuation-focused commentary are keeping Verizon in the spotlight, but these pieces mostly reinforce the company’s steady revenue profile rather than adding a new fundamental catalyst. AT&T vs Verizon. One of These Telecoms Has Raised Its Dividend 20 Straight Times and the Market Is Finally Noticing
• Negative Sentiment: Some market commentary continues to flag Verizon as a potentially risky Dow stock, reflecting lingering concerns about growth and the telecom sector’s maturity. 3 Dow Jones Stocks We Find Risky

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts have issued reports on VZ shares. Erste Group Bank reaffirmed a “hold” rating on shares of Verizon Communications in a report on Tuesday, May 5th. Morgan Stanley raised their price target on shares of Verizon Communications from $49.00 to $50.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Tuesday, April 28th. Citigroup raised their price target 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. William Blair raised shares of Verizon Communications to an “outperform” rating in a report on Monday, February 2nd. Finally, Oppenheimer raised their price target on shares of Verizon Communications from $50.00 to $56.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, March 11th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have assigned a Buy rating and eleven have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Verizon Communications currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $50.59.

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.