What is Erste Group Bank’s Forecast for VZ FY2026 Earnings?

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) – Equities researchers at Erste Group Bank upped their FY2026 EPS estimates for Verizon Communications in a report issued on Wednesday, August 5th. Erste Group Bank analyst H. Engel now anticipates that the cell phone carrier will post earnings per share of $5.01 for the year, up from their prior estimate of $4.99. Erste Group Bank has a “Hold” rating on the stock. The consensus estimate for Verizon Communications’ current full-year earnings is $5.03 per share. Erste Group Bank also issued estimates for Verizon Communications’ FY2027 earnings at $5.26 EPS.

Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, July 24th. The cell phone carrier reported $1.30 earnings per share for the quarter, topping 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 company had revenue of $34.25 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $35.16 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $1.22 EPS. The business’s revenue for the quarter was down .7% compared to the same quarter last year. Verizon Communications has set its FY 2026 guidance at 4.990-5.040 EPS.

A number of other research analysts also recently commented on the stock. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Verizon Communications in a research note on Friday, May 29th. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on shares of Verizon Communications from $43.00 to $47.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Monday, July 27th. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on shares of Verizon Communications from $50.00 to $52.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a report on Monday, July 27th. Barclays upped their price objective on Verizon Communications from $45.00 to $46.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Monday, July 27th. Finally, Moffett Nathanson reduced their target price on Verizon Communications from $56.00 to $49.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, July 20th. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and twelve have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Verizon Communications presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $50.84.

Verizon Communications Stock Performance

Verizon Communications stock opened at $47.02 on Tuesday. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $45.17 and a 200 day moving average price of $46.81. Verizon Communications has a 52 week low of $38.39 and a 52 week high of $51.68. The firm has a market capitalization of $195.36 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.24, a PEG ratio of 1.31 and a beta of 0.25. The company has a current ratio of 0.60, a quick ratio of 0.57 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.36.

Verizon Communications Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, August 3rd. Investors of record on Friday, July 10th were issued a dividend of $0.7075 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, July 10th. This represents a $2.83 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.0%. Verizon Communications’s payout ratio is presently 73.70%.

Institutional Trading of Verizon Communications

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in VZ. Robinswood Financial LLC purchased a new position in Verizon Communications in the first quarter valued at about $27,000. Lam Group Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Verizon Communications in the first quarter worth about $28,000. Strengthening Families & Communities LLC boosted its position in shares of Verizon Communications by 490.0% in the fourth quarter. Strengthening Families & Communities LLC now owns 649 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 539 shares during the period. EQ Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Verizon Communications in the fourth quarter valued at about $29,000. Finally, Sarver Vrooman Wealth Advisors grew its stake in shares of Verizon Communications by 173.0% in the fourth quarter. Sarver Vrooman Wealth Advisors now owns 707 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 448 shares in the last quarter. 62.06% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.