Verizon to cut about 15,000 jobs as it restructures under new CEO

Core Insights - Verizon is planning to cut approximately 15,000 jobs, representing about 15% of its workforce, as part of a restructuring under new CEO Dan Schulman [2][4] - The layoffs are expected to primarily affect non-union management ranks, with over 20% of that workforce impacted [4] - Verizon's shares rose by about 1.4% following the announcement, although the stock has stagnated over the past three years, gaining only 8% compared to the S&P 500's nearly 70% increase [3] Company Strategy - The restructuring aims to address rising competition and slowing subscriber growth in the U.S. wireless market, where Verizon faces pressure from rivals AT&T and T-Mobile US [5] - Schulman emphasized the need for aggressive change, including cost transformation and restructuring the expense base, to create a simpler and leaner business [6] - The company plans to transition around 180 corporate-owned retail stores to franchised operations as part of its strategy [4] Financial Context - Verizon had about 100,000 U.S. employees at the end of 2024, having cut nearly 20,000 employees over the past three years [7] - The company has previously announced significant layoffs, including a reduction of 4,800 employees through a voluntary program last year, which incurred a nearly $2 billion charge [7] - Verizon has invested heavily in acquiring wireless spectrum and companies, spending $52 billion on C-band spectrum in a 2021 auction and $20 billion on Frontier Communications [9]