Invenomic Capital Management LP Has $8.70 Million Stock Holdings in Verizon Communications Inc. $VZ

Invenomic Capital Management LP trimmed its position in shares of Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) by 60.4% during the fourth quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 213,532 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock after selling 325,432 shares during the period. Invenomic Capital Management LP’s holdings in Verizon Communications were worth $8,697,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Gotham Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Verizon Communications by 2.7% during the fourth quarter. Gotham Asset Management LLC now owns 413,344 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock valued at $16,836,000 after purchasing an additional 10,767 shares in the last quarter. Evolve Private Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Verizon Communications during the fourth quarter valued at about $3,565,000. Engineers Gate Manager LP acquired a new stake in shares of Verizon Communications during the fourth quarter valued at about $866,000. Core Wealth Partners LLC boosted its stake in shares of Verizon Communications by 4.1% during the fourth quarter. Core Wealth Partners LLC now owns 16,507 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock valued at $672,000 after purchasing an additional 643 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A. boosted its stake in shares of Verizon Communications by 0.9% during the fourth quarter. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A. now owns 710,908 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock valued at $28,956,000 after purchasing an additional 6,295 shares in the last quarter. 62.06% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Verizon Communications Price Performance

Shares of VZ opened at $45.86 on Thursday. 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 1.38, a current ratio of 0.64 and a quick ratio of 0.61. The company has a market capitalization of $191.50 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.19, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.14 and a beta of 0.24. The business has a 50-day moving average of $47.03 and a 200-day moving average of $45.63.

Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, April 27th. The cell phone carrier reported $1.28 earnings per share (EPS) 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 company 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 company earned $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. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Verizon Communications Inc. will post 4.97 earnings per share for the current year.

Verizon Communications Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, August 3rd. Stockholders of record on Friday, July 10th will be paid a $0.7075 dividend. This represents a $2.83 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, July 10th. Verizon Communications’s payout ratio is currently 69.02%.

Key Verizon Communications News

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

• Positive Sentiment: Verizon unveiled simpler wireless plans, eliminated activation and upgrade fees, and launched a new loyalty program that could improve customer retention and reduce churn. Reuters article on Verizon simpler plans and fees
• Positive Sentiment: Verizon completed the expiration and final results process for its note exchange and tender offers, a debt-management step that may be viewed as supportive of balance-sheet flexibility. Verizon private exchange offers result article
• Neutral Sentiment: Analysts and market commentary said Verizon may be undervalued based on its share price versus earnings and cash-generating telecom operations, but this was more valuation commentary than a fresh catalyst. Yahoo Finance undervalued article
• Negative Sentiment: Despite the new customer initiatives, Verizon’s stock has lagged the broader market in recent trading, with investors possibly worried that heavier competition and fee cuts could pressure profitability. Yahoo Finance falls more steeply article

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

VZ has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Erste Group Bank reissued a “hold” rating on shares of Verizon Communications in a research note on Tuesday, May 5th. Citigroup lifted their price target on Verizon Communications from $50.00 to $55.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, March 20th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on Verizon Communications from $44.00 to $46.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 28th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on Verizon Communications from $49.00 to $52.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Thursday, April 30th. Finally, Barclays lifted their price target on Verizon Communications from $43.00 to $47.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 31st. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have given a Buy rating and twelve have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Verizon Communications presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target 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.