PNC Financial Services Group Inc. Sells 234,671 Shares of Verizon Communications Inc. $VZ

PNC Financial Services Group Inc. cut its holdings in shares of Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) by 4.2% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 5,357,713 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock after selling 234,671 shares during the period. PNC Financial Services Group Inc.’s holdings in Verizon Communications were worth $218,220,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in VZ. State Street Corp lifted its stake in shares of Verizon Communications by 3.5% in the 3rd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 215,490,064 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock valued at $9,470,788,000 after acquiring an additional 7,276,809 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Verizon Communications by 1.5% in the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 379,402,347 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock valued at $15,453,058,000 after acquiring an additional 5,497,598 shares during the last quarter. Capital World Investors lifted its stake in shares of Verizon Communications by 51.1% in the 3rd quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 14,512,228 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock valued at $637,812,000 after acquiring an additional 4,905,101 shares during the last quarter. Danske Bank A S bought a new position in shares of Verizon Communications in the 3rd quarter valued at $161,346,000. Finally, AQR Capital Management LLC raised its position in Verizon Communications by 50.4% during the 3rd quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 8,848,766 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock worth $385,983,000 after purchasing an additional 2,965,033 shares during the last quarter. 62.06% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Verizon Communications Stock Up 2.1%

Shares of NYSE:VZ opened at $47.77 on Wednesday. The firm has a market cap of $199.45 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.65, a P/E/G ratio of 0.98 and a beta of 0.24. The company has a quick ratio of 0.61, a current ratio of 0.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.38. Verizon Communications Inc. has a 12-month low of $38.39 and a 12-month high of $51.68. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $48.31 and a 200 day simple moving average of $44.62.

Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, April 27th. The cell phone carrier reported $1.28 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.21 by $0.07. Verizon Communications had a return on equity of 19.25% and a net margin of 12.46%.The firm had revenue of $34.44 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $34.82 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $1.19 EPS. The business’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. Analysts predict that Verizon Communications Inc. will post 4.96 earnings per share for the current year.

Key Verizon Communications News

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

Insider Transactions at Verizon Communications

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

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts recently issued reports on VZ shares. Barclays raised their target price on Verizon Communications from $43.00 to $47.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 31st. Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on Verizon Communications from $44.00 to $46.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 28th. Sanford C. Bernstein reaffirmed a “market perform” rating and set a $48.00 target price on shares of Verizon Communications in a research report on Monday, February 2nd. Dbs Bank lowered Verizon Communications from a “moderate buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 7th. Finally, Evercore raised their target price on Verizon Communications from $48.00 to $50.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Monday, February 2nd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have given a Buy rating and eleven have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Verizon Communications presently has a consensus 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.