We came across a bullish thesis on Verizon Communications Inc. on Phaetrix Investing’s Substack by Phaetrix. In this article, we will summarize the bulls’ thesis on VZ. Verizon Communications Inc.'s share was trading at $39.62 as of January 26th. VZ’s trailing and forward P/E were 8.45 and 8.27 respectively according to Yahoo Finance. Ericsson (ERIC) Touches 3-Year High on Strong Earnings TunedIn by Westend61/Shutterstock.com Verizon Communications Inc., through its subsidiaries, engages in the provisio ...

Core Insights - Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ) is the largest telecommunications company in the U.S., valued at $167.1 billion, providing a range of communication and entertainment services [1] Performance Overview - VZ shares have underperformed the broader market, declining 3.3% over the past year, while the S&P 500 Index has increased by nearly 16.1% [2] - In 2026, VZ's stock fell 3.5%, contrasting with a 1.9% rise in the S&P 500 on a year-to-date basis [2] Comparative Analysis - VZ has lagged behind the iShares U.S. Telecommunications ETF (IYZ), which gained approximately 26.1% over the past year, and the ETF's 1.8% year-to-date gains outshine VZ's losses [3] Financial Performance - On October 29, 2025, VZ reported Q3 results with an adjusted EPS of $1.21, exceeding Wall Street expectations of $1.19, while revenue was $33.8 billion, missing forecasts of $34.2 billion [4] - Analysts project VZ's EPS to grow by 2% to $4.68 for the current fiscal year ending December 2025, with a strong earnings surprise history [4] Analyst Ratings - Among 29 analysts covering VZ, the consensus rating is "Moderate Buy," consisting of eight "Strong Buy," three "Moderate Buy," and 18 "Hold" ratings [5] - Wells Fargo maintained an "Equal Weight" rating on VZ, lowering the price target to $41, indicating a potential upside of 4.3% from current levels [6] - The mean price target of $46.87 suggests a 19.2% premium to VZ's current price, while the highest target of $58 indicates a potential upside of 47.5% [6]

Key Takeaways Verizon will report Q4 earnings on Jan. 30, with EPS and revenue estimates at $1.06 and $35.94 billion.New 5G products and optical ring deployments may boost Consumer and Business segment revenues.Margin pressures stem from 5G costs, price promotions, and wireline losses amid rising competition.Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ) is scheduled to report fourth-quarter 2025 earnings on Jan. 30, 2026. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for sales and earnings is pegged at $35.94 billion and $1.06 per share ...

Core Insights - The fourth quarter earnings season is gaining momentum, with major tech companies like Microsoft, Meta, Tesla, and Apple leading the earnings calendar [1] - A positive consensus is emerging, with 13% of S&P 500 companies having reported fourth quarter results, and analysts projecting an 8.2% increase in earnings per share, marking the potential for the 10th consecutive quarter of annual earnings growth for the index [2] - Analysts had initially expected an 8.3% increase in earnings per share, a decrease from the previous quarter's 13.6% growth rate, but have recently raised expectations, particularly for tech companies [3] Industry Trends - The earnings season will not only focus on Big Tech but will also assess the broader stock market breadth that has improved at the start of 2026, with ongoing themes such as artificial intelligence and economic policies from the Trump administration continuing to influence market dynamics [4] - In addition to the major tech earnings, updates will be provided from a diverse range of companies across various sectors, including UnitedHealth, Boeing, General Motors, IBM, Starbucks, and others, indicating a comprehensive earnings landscape [5]

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) is included among the 15 Best S&P 500 Dividend Stocks to Buy in 2026. Bernstein Sees Tougher Competitive Landscape Taking Shape for Verizon (VZ) and Peers Ken Wolter / Shutterstock.com On January 16, Bernstein cut its price target on Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) to $44 from $46, while sticking with a Market Perform rating. The firm said the industry looks like it is heading into a more aggressive phase of competition. Bernstein noted that through 2025, each ...

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Core Insights - Crude Value Insights provides an investment service and community focused on the oil and natural gas sectors, emphasizing cash flow and the companies that generate it, which leads to value and growth prospects with real potential [1] Company and Industry Summary - Subscribers gain access to a model account with over 50 stocks, in-depth cash flow analyses of exploration and production (E&P) firms, and live chat discussions about the sector [1]

Core Viewpoint - Verizon is likely to be removed from the Dow Jones Industrial Average in 2026, with a trillion-dollar company expected to replace it [3][6][11]. Group 1: Verizon's Current Position - Verizon's stock closed at $39.24 per share on January 21, 2023, significantly lower than other Dow components, with only 241 points contributing to the Dow's total of 49,077 points [1][7]. - Since its inclusion in the Dow on April 8, 2004, Verizon's shares have only gained 17%, indicating minimal growth over nearly 22 years [8]. - The company has a high dividend yield of 7% but is expected to have low-to-mid single-digit growth due to high saturation in the domestic wireless and broadband markets [9]. Group 2: Dow Jones Industrial Average Changes - The Dow has undergone nearly 60 changes since its inception in 1896, primarily replacing underperforming companies with those that have better growth prospects [4][5]. - The index has evolved from being dominated by industrial stocks to comprising 30 diverse, multinational companies [5][7]. Group 3: Potential Replacement for Verizon - Alphabet, the parent company of Google, is seen as the most logical replacement for Verizon due to its significant role in both technology and communications [11][13]. - Alphabet generated 72.5% of its net sales from advertising, which includes a dominant position in global internet search and YouTube, making it a valuable indicator for the Dow [13]. - The company is also a leader in cloud computing and AI, with a sales growth rate exceeding 30%, further enhancing its attractiveness as a Dow component [14][15]. - Following a 20-for-1 stock split in July 2022, Alphabet's share price became more suitable for inclusion in the Dow, currently hovering around $330 [16].

Core Insights - The article discusses the 15 best S&P 500 dividend stocks to consider for investment in 2026, emphasizing the stability that dividend stocks can provide during market downturns [1] Dividend and Buyback Strategy - Dan Lefkovitz from Morningstar Indexes suggests that combining dividend-paying stocks with companies that actively buy back shares can yield better returns compared to a high-dividend-only strategy [2] - An index that includes both dividends and buybacks has outperformed a high-dividend-only index over the past three years, although it still lags behind the overall US market [2] Cash Return to Shareholders - The article highlights the difference in how companies return cash to shareholders, noting that dividends are a long-term commitment while buybacks are more flexible and often increase when management perceives the stock as undervalued [3] - Large technology companies have been leading in buyback activities, while dividend payments are primarily concentrated in sectors like financials, utilities, energy, and consumer staples [3] International Dividend Yields - Income-focused investors are encouraged to look beyond the US, as domestic dividend yields have decreased to approximately 1.1%, while some European regions offer yields above 3% [4] - Caution is advised against chasing high yields, as unusually high payouts may indicate underlying business stress and potential future dividend cuts [4] Methodology for Stock Selection - The selection process for the 15 best dividend stocks involved screening S&P 500 companies with a market cap of at least $10 billion, focusing on those with stable dividends and yields around 2% as of January 21 [6] - The final list was based on popularity among hedge funds, utilizing data from Insider Monkey's Q3 2025 database [6][7] Company-Specific Insights - **Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ)**: - Holds a dividend yield of 7.06% as of January 21, with 60 hedge fund holders [8] - Bernstein has cut its price target for Verizon to $44, citing increased competition in the telecom industry [8] - Verizon's $20 billion acquisition of Frontier Communications was approved, with commitments to expand fiber internet and wireless coverage in California [9] - **Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ:AMGN)**: - Has a dividend yield of 3.05% as of January 21, with 62 hedge fund holders [11] - Bernstein downgraded Amgen to Market Perform, indicating 2026 may be a waiting year for its product MariTide [11] - Amgen announced the acquisition of Dark Blue Therapeutics for up to $840 million, enhancing its oncology pipeline [12][13]