Before we let you go, you are the newly named independent chairman at Verizon for the newly named CEO Dan Schulman. >> Yes. >> Um why the change and what's going to be different at this point.>> Um Verizon has gone from number one in market cap bond ratings and and share to number three. Um and the network isn't as differentiated as it used to be. in large part because everybody's been spending money to put these 5G networks in place.So losing 30% share over the last eight years is an issue. Um and we have ...

Company Overview - Verizon has experienced a decline in market position, dropping from number one to number three in market capitalization, bond ratings, and share value [1] - The company has lost 30% of its market share over the past eight years, indicating a significant issue that needs to be addressed [2] Strategic Changes - The newly appointed CEO, Dan Schulman, is tasked with evaluating the underlying cost structure and implementing changes to improve the company's performance [2] - There is a belief that once a comprehensive plan is established, Verizon will have a compelling narrative to present to the market [3] Market Dynamics - The market has reacted to the potential for a price war, but the focus is shifting towards the value of the products offered rather than just pricing strategies [3] - The board of Verizon recognized the need for action and has taken steps to address the company's challenges [3]

Core Insights - JUST Capital has appointed six new members to its board of directors, enhancing its leadership and expertise in technology, research, communications, and corporate strategy [1][2][4] Group 1: New Board Members - Mehdi Ansari is a partner at Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, specializing in intellectual property and technology, particularly in AI [7][8] - Jonathan Auerbach has over 30 years of experience in technology and financial services, previously serving as Chief Strategy and Growth Officer at PayPal, where he led significant initiatives including the launch of PayPal USD [9][10][12] - Laxman Narasimhan, former CEO of Starbucks and Reckitt, brings extensive experience in leading global brands and driving digital transformation [14][15][16] - Franz Paasche, EVP of Corporate Affairs at Verizon, has over 30 years of experience in public affairs and communications, previously holding leadership roles at Columbia University and PayPal [19][20][21] - Stephanie Stahl is a seasoned business leader and executive coach with a strong background in marketing and strategy, serving on multiple public company boards [23][25][26] - Charles C.Y. Wang is a professor at Harvard Business School, focusing on corporate governance and valuation, with extensive research published in leading academic journals [27][29] Group 2: Organizational Goals and Developments - The new board members will support JUST Capital's transformation into an AI-powered corporate intelligence platform, set to launch its JUST Intelligence platform in 2026 [2][4] - JUST Capital aims to provide C-suites and boards with insights on stakeholder performance, competitive benchmarking, and strategic guidance on critical issues [4][5] - The organization has already improved job quality for 2.6 million workers and reached over 30 million Americans through media partnerships [5]

Core Viewpoint - Verizon Communications is planning to raise approximately $10 billion in the corporate bond market to finance its acquisition of Frontier Communications [1] Group 1 - The funding will be utilized specifically for the deal involving Frontier Communications [1]

Acquisition Funding - Verizon initiated a corporate bond offering to finance its acquisition of Frontier [1]

Core Insights - During market turbulence, investors often seek dividend-yielding stocks, which typically have high free cash flows and offer substantial dividends [1] Group 1: Company Ratings and Analyst Insights - Verizon Communications Inc (NYSE:VZ) has a dividend yield of 6.89%. Goldman Sachs analyst Michael Ng initiated coverage with a Buy rating and a price target of $49, while Morgan Stanley's Benjamin Swinburne maintained an Equal-Weight rating, raising the price target from $47 to $48 [7] - Interpublic Group of Companies Inc (NYSE:IPG) has a dividend yield of 5.18%. JP Morgan's David Karnovsky maintained an Overweight rating but reduced the price target from $35 to $33. Citigroup's Jason Bazinet reinstated a Buy rating with a price target of $35 [7] - Comcast Corp (NASDAQ:CMCSA) has a dividend yield of 4.83%. Citigroup's Michael Rollins maintained a Buy rating but cut the price target from $39 to $35, while Goldman Sachs' Michael Ng maintained a Neutral rating and reduced the price target from $39 to $30 [7] Group 2: Recent Company Performance - Verizon reported better-than-expected third-quarter adjusted EPS results on October 29 [7] - Analysts expect Interpublic Group to post quarterly earnings of 73 cents per share on revenue of $2.19 billion for the latest quarter [7] - Comcast posted positive quarterly results on October 30 [7]

Core Viewpoint - T-Mobile US, Inc. (TMUS) is outperforming its peers, particularly Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ), despite telecom stocks being perceived as bond-like investments by some investors [1]. Group 1: Company Performance - T-Mobile has surpassed Verizon in performance metrics, indicating a strong competitive position in the telecom sector [1]. Group 2: Investment Perspective - The article suggests that T-Mobile's performance may attract investors looking for growth opportunities in the telecom industry, contrasting with the traditional view of telecom stocks as stable, bond-like investments [1].

Core Insights - Verizon is reportedly planning to close several retail locations and lay off employees as part of a broader restructuring initiative, with an official announcement expected around November 20 [1][5][10] - The layoffs may affect employees at both closing and remaining locations, particularly underperforming stores [2][10] - There is significant internal concern among employees regarding job security, with reports of reduced income for sales representatives [3][12] Company Strategy - Verizon has been investing heavily in artificial intelligence (AI) to modernize operations and support future growth, with a focus on integrating AI into its services [5][6][12] - The company launched Verizon AI Connect to deploy large-scale AI workloads, leveraging its 5G, fiber, and edge-computing networks [6][8] - CEO Daniel Schulman emphasized a strategic shift towards efficiency and customer experience, with plans to reduce costs while enhancing service through AI [11][12][13] Industry Context - The retail landscape is experiencing significant pressures, with a trend of increasing store closures as companies adapt to digital services and AI automation [14][15][16] - Coresight Research forecasts that U.S. store closures could reach around 15,000 this year, reflecting broader challenges faced by traditional brick-and-mortar retailers [16][17] - Major U.S. retailers have reported a 29.6% decrease in openings and a 334.3% increase in closures in 2025 compared to 2024, indicating a shift in the retail environment [17]

Market Overview - The overall market has performed well this year, with the S&P 500 still up double digits despite a recent pullback, which is viewed as a healthy sign [1] Analyst Background - The contributing analyst is part of the iREIT+Hoya Capital investment group and focuses on dividend investing in quality blue-chip stocks, BDCs, and REITs, aiming to help lower and middle-class workers build investment portfolios of high-quality, dividend-paying companies [2] Investment Position - The analyst has a beneficial long position in the shares of MO and VZ, indicating a personal investment interest in these companies [3]

Group 1 - Verizon Communications Inc. is recognized as one of the 15 Best DRIP Stocks to Own Right Now [1] - BofA analyst Michael Funk has reduced the price target for Verizon from $49 to $45 while maintaining a Neutral rating, citing better-than-expected results in consumer postpaid phone net losses and pricing strategy [2] - The company is undergoing a restructuring phase and ramping up marketing initiatives, which has led BofA to adjust its 2026 free cash flow multiple due to potential execution risks [2] Group 2 - CEO Daniel Schulman highlighted a strategic shift from a technology-focused approach to a customer-centric growth strategy, with plans to enhance the network foundation through increased investment in cybersecurity and convergence [3] - Verizon is in the process of acquiring Frontier, expected to close early next year, and has reaffirmed its cash flow guidance for 2025 to be between $19.5 billion and $20.5 billion, anticipating stronger cash flows in 2026 [3] - Verizon is a leading global telecommunications provider, offering a wide range of products and services to consumers, businesses, and government clients [4]