Verizon(US:VZ) ZACKS·2025-08-11 18:06Core Insights - Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ) has outperformed the Wireless National industry and the S&P 500 index, gaining 6.5% over the past six months compared to the industry's 2.3% growth [1][9] - The company has shown solid momentum in its wireless verticals, with wireless service revenue growing 2.2% year over year to $20.9 billion and wireless equipment revenue increasing by 25.2% year over year to $6.3 billion [3] - Verizon's broadband connections surged 12.2% year over year to 12.9 million, driven by fiber broadband expansion and the acquisition of Frontier Communications, which is expected to add 2.2 million fiber customers [4][17] Company Performance - Verizon's stock has underperformed AT&T Inc. (T), which gained 10.8%, but outperformed Charter Communications (CHTR), which declined by 27.6% during the same period [2] - The company has been expanding its retail footprint through strategic collaborations, such as with Staples, to enhance brand visibility and accessibility [5][6] Growth Drivers - The company is focusing on fiber broadband expansion and has recorded significant net additions in broadband and fixed wireless access, with 293K and 278K net adds respectively [3][4] - Verizon's customer-focused approach and innovative AI-powered solutions are contributing to customer growth and strong demand for wireless services [17] Challenges - Verizon faces challenges from heavy spending and intense competition in the U.S. wireless market, which is driving up customer acquisition costs and affecting margins [9][11] - Competitors like AT&T and Charter are also investing heavily in fiber network expansion, which poses additional challenges to Verizon's growth initiatives [12] Financial Estimates - Earnings estimates for 2025 have increased by 0.21% to $4.7, while estimates for 2026 have improved by 1.44% to $4.93 [13] - From a valuation perspective, Verizon's shares are trading at a price/earnings ratio of 8.91, which is lower than the industry average of 13.48 [14]