ZACKS·2025-10-24 15:06Core Insights - Verizon Communications Inc. and Charter Communications Inc. are leading U.S. communication services providers competing in broadband, wireless services, and enterprise connectivity [1][2] - Verizon is benefiting from a growing demand for its 5G portfolio and is focusing on customer-centric business models [3][4] - Charter is expanding its 5G coverage and investing significantly in fiber-optic infrastructure [7][8] Verizon's Position - Verizon's 5G network is supported by massive spectrum holdings, deep fiber resources, and a large number of small cells [3] - The company is experiencing significant 5G adoption and is shifting its revenue mix towards growth services like cloud and security [4][5] - Verizon is facing intense competition from AT&T and others, which is pressuring its margins due to increased promotional spending [6] Charter's Position - Charter is growing in residential mobile and Internet services, with a focus on competitive pricing and connectivity [7] - The company plans to invest $7 billion to expand its fiber-optic network by over 100,000 miles [8] - Charter's EPS growth is projected at 10.7% for 2025, indicating strong performance compared to Verizon [12][14] Financial Performance - Verizon's 2025 sales and EPS estimates imply modest growth of 2.6% and 2.2%, respectively, with a downward trend in EPS estimates [12] - Charter's 2025 sales and EPS estimates indicate growth of 0.1% and 10.7%, respectively, with an upward trend in EPS estimates [12][14] - Over the past year, Verizon's stock has declined by 7.2%, while Charter's has plummeted by 27.4% [15] Valuation Comparison - Charter's shares trade at a forward P/E ratio of 5.74, lower than Verizon's 7.87, making Charter more attractive from a valuation standpoint [15] - Charter's better Zacks Rank and aggressive growth strategy suggest it offers more upside potential compared to Verizon [17]