Core Viewpoint - Verizon Communications Inc. has introduced a three-year price lock guarantee for its myPlan and myHome network plans, aiming to attract new customers and retain existing ones in a challenging economic environment [1][17]. Group 1: Customer-Centric Initiatives - The price lock guarantee ensures that core monthly plan prices for calling, data, and texting will remain unchanged for three years, excluding taxes and fees [1]. - Verizon offers a free phone from major brands like Apple, Google, or Samsung with any myPlan enrollment when users trade in any phone, along with free home internet routers for myHome plans [2]. - Customers can enjoy free satellite text messaging services on qualifying devices and save over 40% on popular subscription services like Netflix and Disney+ [2][3]. Group 2: 5G and Infrastructure Development - Verizon is experiencing significant adoption of 5G and fixed wireless broadband, supported by premium unlimited plans and a mix-and-match pricing strategy [4]. - The company is focused on enhancing its 5G network through massive spectrum holdings, deep fiber resources, and deploying small cells [3][5]. - High capital expenditures are being made to support the launch and build-out of the 5G Ultra Wideband network and significant fiber assets [9][10]. Group 3: Strategic Partnerships - Verizon is exploring a partnership with Banco Santander to enhance customer satisfaction, which may lead to increased customer additions [6][7]. - Santander aims to leverage Verizon's customer base to develop its technology platform for consumer banking in the U.S. [7]. Group 4: Financial Performance and Market Position - Verizon's stock has gained 8.3% over the past year, lagging behind competitors like AT&T and T-Mobile, which have seen gains of 64.2% and 66.3%, respectively [12]. - Earnings estimates for Verizon for 2025 and 2026 have declined by 0.2% and 0.4%, indicating bearish sentiment towards the stock [16]. - The company's wireline division is facing challenges with persistent losses in access lines due to competitive pressures [8][11].

Group 1 - Verizon Communications is a leading U.S. cellphone carrier with a strong track record of exceeding earnings estimates, particularly in the last two quarters, achieving an average surprise of 0.88% [1] - For the last reported quarter, Verizon's earnings were $1.10 per share, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.09 per share, resulting in a surprise of 0.92% [2] - In the previous quarter, Verizon reported earnings of $1.19 per share against an expected $1.18 per share, delivering a surprise of 0.85% [2] Group 2 - Recent favorable changes in earnings estimates for Verizon indicate a positive Earnings ESP of +0.98%, suggesting analysts are optimistic about the company's earnings prospects [4][7] - The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) suggests a high likelihood of another earnings beat, with historical data showing that such combinations lead to positive surprises nearly 70% of the time [5][7] - The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate, with the Most Accurate Estimate reflecting the latest analyst revisions, which may provide a more accurate prediction [6]

Core Insights - Zacks Premium provides various tools for investors to enhance their stock market strategies, including daily updates on Zacks Rank and Industry Rank, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens [1][2] Zacks Style Scores - Zacks Style Scores rate stocks based on value, growth, and momentum characteristics, helping investors identify securities likely to outperform the market in the next 30 days [2][3] - Each stock receives a rating from A to F, with A indicating the highest potential for outperformance [3] Value Score - The Value Style Score focuses on identifying undervalued stocks using financial ratios such as P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, and Price/Cash Flow [3] Growth Score - The Growth Style Score assesses a company's financial strength and future outlook by analyzing projected and historical earnings, sales, and cash flow [4] Momentum Score - The Momentum Style Score evaluates stocks based on price trends and earnings outlook changes, helping investors identify optimal buying opportunities [5] VGM Score - The VGM Score combines all three Style Scores, providing a comprehensive indicator for investors who utilize multiple investing strategies [6] Zacks Rank - The Zacks Rank is a proprietary model that uses earnings estimate revisions to simplify portfolio building, with 1 (Strong Buy) stocks achieving an average annual return of +25.41% since 1988, significantly outperforming the S&P 500 [7][8] - Investors are encouraged to select stocks with a Zacks Rank of 1 or 2 and Style Scores of A or B for the highest likelihood of success [9][10] Company Spotlight: Verizon Communications (VZ) - Verizon Communications, formed from the merger of Bell Atlantic and GTE Corp, is the largest wireless carrier in North America, providing various communication services [11] - Currently rated 3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, Verizon has a VGM Score of B and a Momentum Style Score of B, with shares increasing by 4.4% over the past four weeks [12] - Analysts have recently revised Verizon's earnings estimate upwards for fiscal 2025, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate now at $4.69 per share, and the company has an average earnings surprise of 1.3% [12][13]

Core Insights - Verizon is advancing its consumer business transformation with a strong value commitment aimed at enhancing long-term customer relationships across its mobile and home services [1][2] - The company is introducing a three-year price lock guarantee on all myPlan and myHome network plans, which is a first in the industry, ensuring price stability for customers [6] Business Strategy - The transformation journey began two years ago, focusing on redefining consumer relationships through innovative offerings and a robust network [2] - Verizon aims to improve customer retention, sustainable revenue growth, and long-term shareholder value by providing unprecedented value and predictability [2] Customer Value Enhancements - The new offerings include a price lock guarantee, a free phone with every myPlan, and a home router included at no additional cost [3][4][6] - Customers can save over 40% on popular subscription services like Netflix, Disney+, and Hulu, with additional savings available for those who have both myPlan and myHome [6] Market Position - Verizon positions itself as the first and only carrier to offer a three-year price lock guarantee, automatically enrolling existing customers and resetting the price lock with any plan change [6] - The company emphasizes its unique market position by providing free satellite text messaging on qualifying devices and various savings opportunities through partnerships like the Verizon Visa Credit Card [6]

In investing, it is necessary to adjust your opinion as new data comes in. A wonderful example that I could point to involves telecommunications giant Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ ). In my most recent article about it, published Subscribers get to use a 50+ stock model account, in-depth cash flow analyses of E&P firms, and live chat discussion of the sector. Sign up today for your two-week free trial and get a new lease on oil & gas! Crude Value Insights offers you an investing service and community foc ...

For new and old investors, taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals. Zacks Premium provides lots of different ways to do both. The Style Scores are broken down into four categories: Value Score Value investors love finding good stocks at good prices, especially before the broader market catches on to a stock's true value. Utilizing ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and many other multiples, the Value Style Score identifies the most attractive ...

Verizon Communications Inc. VZ is dialing up a bullish breakout as its stock pushes past key technical levels. With shares up 12.76% year to date and 5.20% in the past month, Verizon stock has now confirmed a golden cross, a classic bullish indicator signaling potential for more upside. Chart created using Benzinga Pro Read Also: EXCLUSIVE: Why Defiance ETF CEO Sees Big Gains Ahead During Nvidia's 6G Revolution Verizon Stock Technicals Confirm A Strong Uptrend At $44.93, Verizon stock is currently above its ...

Investors are shifting their strategies due to rising market uncertainty caused by ongoing tariff disputes and widespread economic concerns. They are seeking safety in historically defensive sectors, and as a result, the telecommunications sector is experiencing a resurgence of interest. The double-digit growth of telecom giants Verizon NYSE: VZ and AT&T NYSE: T over the past three months highlights the renewed attention on these companies. These established telecom titans may be emerging as crucial defensi ...

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights three companies—Altria, Verizon, and Chubb Limited—that are considered insulated from the impact of tariffs proposed by the Trump administration, making them attractive investment options in an unpredictable market [1][2]. Group 1: Altria - Altria is the largest tobacco company in America, controlling 45.9% of the U.S. retail cigarette market in 2024, and has diversified into smokeless products [4][6]. - Despite declining adult smoking rates, Altria has managed to maintain profitability through price increases, cost-cutting, and share buybacks, with analysts projecting a 4% EPS growth in 2025 and 3% in 2026 [5][6]. - The stock trades at 11 times forward earnings and offers a forward dividend yield of 7.1%, having raised its payout annually since 2008, making it appealing to income-oriented investors [6][7]. Group 2: Verizon - Verizon is a major telecom company that generates most of its profits from domestic wireless and wireline services, making it less vulnerable to tariffs [8]. - In 2024, Verizon saw a significant recovery, more than doubling its postpaid phone net additions and reducing its total wireless churn rate to 1.62%, attributed to localized marketing and customizable plans [9]. - Analysts expect Verizon's adjusted EPS to grow by 2% in 2025 and 4% in 2026, with the stock trading at 9 times forward earnings and a forward yield of 6.1%, having raised its payout for 18 consecutive years [10]. Group 3: Chubb Limited - Chubb is the largest publicly traded provider of various insurance policies, which are not directly affected by tariffs, as insurance companies do not engage in import/export activities [11]. - Chubb's core operating income per share rose by 30% in 2023 and 13% in 2024, with consolidated net premiums increasing by 13.5% in 2023 and 8.7% in 2024 [12]. - The stock trades at 14 times forward earnings, offers a forward dividend yield of 1.2%, and has raised its payout for 32 consecutive years, making it a stable investment option [13].

Group 1: Financial Stability and Cash Flow - Strong cash flows reflect financial stability, enabling companies to eliminate debt, pursue growth opportunities, and distribute dividend payments [1][6] - Companies with strong cash flows are better equipped to weather downturns, providing a long-term advantage for investors [1] Group 2: Apple Inc. (AAPL) - Apple has generated $108.8 billion in free cash flow throughout FY24, with flows on a steady uptrend [3] - The company posted adjusted EPS of $2.40 and sales of $124.3 billion, reflecting growth rates of 10% and 4%, respectively, both all-time records [5] - Apple has raised its quarterly dividend payout for 13 consecutive years, currently yielding 0.5% annually with a five-year annualized dividend growth of 4.9% [2][3] Group 3: Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ) - Verizon's FY24 free cash flow of $19.8 billion grew 6% year-over-year, with shares currently yielding 6.2% annually [8] - The company is close to joining the elite Dividend Aristocrats club due to years of consistently higher payouts [8] - Continued customer growth and expanding broadband market share have positively impacted Verizon's performance [10] Group 4: NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA) - NVIDIA reported quarterly sales of $39.3 billion, a 78% increase year-over-year, and adjusted EPS of $0.89, reflecting 71% growth YoY [11] - Data Center sales grew 90% year-over-year to $35.6 billion, highlighting strong demand [12] - The company posted free cash flow of $15.2 billion, up 40% from the previous year, driven by demand [13]