Gibbs Wealth Management Acquires 36,051 Shares of Verizon Communications Inc. $VZ

Gibbs Wealth Management lifted its holdings in shares of Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) by 59.9% during the 1st quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 96,220 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock after buying an additional 36,051 shares during the period. Gibbs Wealth Management’s holdings in Verizon Communications were worth $4,830,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of VZ. Strengthening Families & Communities LLC boosted its holdings in 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 purchasing an additional 539 shares in the last quarter. Lam Group Inc. bought a new position in Verizon Communications during the first quarter valued at about $28,000. EQ Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in Verizon Communications during the fourth quarter valued at about $29,000. Sarver Vrooman Wealth Advisors lifted its position 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 worth $29,000 after buying an additional 448 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Quattro Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Verizon Communications during the 4th quarter worth about $30,000. Institutional investors own 62.06% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have recently commented on the company. Barclays lowered their price objective on Verizon Communications from $47.00 to $45.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, July 8th. Scotiabank reduced their target price on Verizon Communications from $54.50 to $51.50 and set a “sector outperform” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, July 15th. Morgan Stanley upped their target price on Verizon Communications from $49.00 to $50.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 28th. Erste Group Bank reiterated a “hold” rating on shares of Verizon Communications in a report on Tuesday, May 5th. Finally, Freedom Capital raised shares of Verizon Communications to a “hold” rating in a research report on Friday, June 12th. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eleven have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $50.03.

Key Headlines Impacting Verizon Communications

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

• Positive Sentiment: Verizon is highlighting new consumer products, including the Gizmo Watch 4 for families focused on child safety, which could support device sales and customer engagement. Verizon (VZ) Launches Gizmo Watch 4 For Families Focused On Child Safety
• Positive Sentiment: Verizon is also promoting major Samsung Galaxy Z Fold and wearable preorder deals, signaling continued carrier partnerships and potential upgrade-driven demand. Samsung’s next-generation Z Fold meets simplicity & value on Verizon
• Neutral Sentiment: Multiple previews note that Verizon will report Q2 results before the bell on Friday, keeping the stock in focus as investors look for updates on wireless growth, margins, and guidance. Verizon (VZ) To Report Earnings Tomorrow: Here Is What To Expect
• Neutral Sentiment: Coverage ahead of earnings says Verizon is in a broad reset, selling 274 company-owned stores, cutting jobs, and leaning more on franchises to improve efficiency. Verizon Communications (VZ) Sells Stores And Cuts Jobs, Is The Stock Still A Bargain?
• Negative Sentiment: Analysts are watching whether Verizon’s restructuring and cost cuts are enough to offset growth concerns, including competitive pressure from rivals and fears around new Starlink-related offerings in the market. Verizon Earnings Will Put Cost Cuts and SpaceX Fears Under the Microscope
• Negative Sentiment: Peer news from T-Mobile and AT&T underscores a tougher wireless backdrop, with intensified competition and execution risks across the sector that could weigh on Verizon’s outlook. T-Mobile Falls Despite Earnings Beat. CEO Shoots Down Expanded Starlink Deal.

Verizon Communications Trading Down 0.9%

Verizon Communications stock opened at $43.91 on Friday. Verizon Communications Inc. has a 52 week low of $38.39 and a 52 week high of $51.68. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.38, a quick ratio of 0.61 and a current ratio of 0.64. The firm has a market capitalization of $183.36 billion, a PE ratio of 10.71, a PEG ratio of 1.08 and a beta of 0.26. The business’s 50-day simple moving average is $45.39 and its 200-day simple moving average is $46.20.

Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) last announced its earnings results on Monday, April 27th. The cell phone carrier reported $1.28 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.21 by $0.07. The firm had revenue of $34.44 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $34.82 billion. Verizon Communications had a return on equity of 19.25% and a net margin of 12.46%.The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 2.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.19 EPS. Verizon Communications has set its FY 2026 guidance at 4.950-4.990 EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that Verizon Communications Inc. will post 4.98 earnings per share for the current year.

Verizon Communications Dividend Announcement

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 given a $0.7075 dividend. This represents a $2.83 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, July 10th. Verizon Communications’s dividend payout ratio is currently 69.02%.

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.