VZ Beats Q1 Earnings Estimates on Healthy Wireless Traction

Core Insights - Verizon Communications Inc. reported strong first-quarter 2025 results with adjusted earnings and revenues surpassing Zacks Consensus Estimates [1][2] Financial Performance - Net income for the quarter was $4.98 billion, or $1.15 per share, compared to $4.72 billion, or $1.09 per share, in the same quarter last year, driven by top-line growth [2] - Adjusted earnings were $1.19 per share, up from $1.15 year-over-year, beating the consensus estimate by 3 cents [2] - Total operating revenues increased by 1.5% to $33.48 billion, exceeding the consensus estimate of $33.32 billion, supported by growth in service revenues and higher wireless equipment revenues [3] Segment Results - Consumer segment revenues rose 2.2% year-over-year to $25.62 billion, surpassing estimates of $25.23 billion, with service revenues up 2.3% to $20.07 billion [4] - Business segment revenues decreased by 1.2% to $7.29 billion, below estimates of $7.35 billion, primarily due to lower wireline revenues [6] Customer Metrics - The company achieved 137,000 retail prepaid net additions, the highest since the TracFone acquisition, while retail postpaid and retail postpaid phone net additions contracted [1] - Wireless retail postpaid churn was 1.13%, and retail postpaid phone churn was 0.9% [5] - Fios Internet net additions were 41,000, while fixed wireless broadband net additions reached 199,000 [5] Operating Metrics - Operating income improved to $7.98 billion, a 6.1% increase, with total operating expenses remaining flat at $25.51 billion [9] - Consolidated adjusted EBITDA rose to $12.56 billion from $12.07 billion, driven by wireless service revenue growth [10] Cash Flow and Guidance - Verizon generated $7.78 billion in net cash from operating activities, with free cash flow of $3.64 billion, up from $2.71 billion year-over-year [11] - For 2025, the company expects wireless service revenue growth of 2%-2.8% and adjusted EBITDA growth of 2%-3.5% [12]