Verizon(US:VZ) The Motley Fool·2026-01-31 00:07Core Insights - Verizon Communications reported its strongest subscriber gains in years, leading to a significant increase in stock price by over 11% [1][2]. Subscriber Growth - In the fourth quarter, Verizon achieved its highest quarterly net customer additions since 2019, gaining 616,000 postpaid phone subscribers and 372,000 broadband subscribers [2]. Competitive Strategy - New CEO Dan Schulman aims to strengthen Verizon's market position, stating that the company will no longer be an easy target for competitors like AT&T and T-Mobile [3]. Financial Performance - Verizon's total operating revenue for the fourth quarter rose by 2% year over year to $36.4 billion, while adjusted earnings per share slightly declined by less than 1% to $1.09, surpassing Wall Street's expectations of $1.06 [5]. Future Outlook - The company generated $20.1 billion in free cash flow in 2025, with management projecting a growth of approximately 7% to at least $21.5 billion in 2026, supported by anticipated retail postpaid phone net additions of 750,000 to 1 million [6].