Verizon 2026 Conference Summary Company Overview - **Company**: Verizon (NYSE: VZ) - **Date**: February 24, 2026 - **Key Speaker**: Tony Skiadas, CFO of Verizon Core Industry Insights - **Telecommunications Industry**: The wireless and broadband markets are described as robust and resilient, with high demand for connectivity remaining strong. The integration of Frontier Communications is expected to enhance Verizon's market position and service offerings. Key Points and Arguments Operational Changes and Strategy - Verizon is undergoing significant operational changes aimed at improving customer experience and shareholder value. The company is at a critical inflection point, focusing on network excellence and responsible growth in mobility and broadband [5][6]. - A renewed sense of excitement within the company has been noted, with bold actions taken to drive $5 billion in cost savings, some of which will be reinvested in customer service [6][7]. Financial Guidance for 2026 - Verizon expects to add 750,000 to 1 million postpaid phone net adds, which is a significant increase compared to previous years [11]. - Mobility and broadband service revenue is projected to grow by 2%-3% in 2026, with adjusted EPS growth expected between 4% and 5% [11][12]. - Free cash flow is anticipated to grow by at least 7%, reaching approximately $21.5 billion [12]. Capital Allocation Framework - Verizon's capital allocation priorities include investing in the business (CapEx of $16-$16.5 billion), maintaining a strong balance sheet, paying dividends (20th consecutive year of dividend increase), and share buybacks (up to $25 billion authorized over three years) [12][13][14]. Fiber and Broadband Strategy - Verizon aims to pass 40-50 million premises with fiber in the medium term, with a goal of at least 2 million premises passed in 2026 [29]. - The company has over 5.7 million fixed wireless access (FWA) subscribers and plans to continue growing this segment alongside fiber [30]. Cost Management and Efficiency - Verizon is targeting $5 billion in operational expense savings, which will provide flexibility for growth investments and operational efficiency [33]. - The company has reduced its workforce by 13,000, with a focus on rationalizing IT platforms and improving customer experience to reduce call volumes [34]. AI Integration - AI is being leveraged to enhance customer experience and operational efficiency, with initiatives aimed at reducing customer service handling times and optimizing network performance [58][59]. Market Position and Competitive Landscape - The wireless industry is expected to maintain healthy growth, with Verizon's offers resonating well in the market. The company is focused on sustainable volume growth and improving customer loyalty [16][18]. - The partnership with cable companies is seen as a strong revenue source, with a long-term agreement in place to enhance market positioning [46]. Additional Important Insights - The company is cautious about future pricing strategies, acknowledging potential pressures on average revenue per user (ARPU) due to competitive dynamics [22][24]. - Verizon's approach to spectrum management includes a build versus buy analysis, ensuring that the company maintains a strong balance sheet while pursuing growth opportunities [48][49]. This summary encapsulates the key points discussed during the Verizon 2026 conference, highlighting the company's strategic direction, financial outlook, and operational initiatives.

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Core Insights - Verizon Communications Inc. has been recognized among the Dividend Champions, Contenders, and Challengers List, highlighting its strong dividend yield [1] - TD Cowen raised its price target for Verizon from $51 to $54, maintaining a Buy rating due to better-than-expected phone subscriber additions in Q4, despite some impact on EBITDA [2] - Verizon reported its strongest net customer additions since 2019 in Q4 2025, meeting its full-year guidance, which is a significant indicator of telecom growth [3] Financial Performance - Verizon's operating revenue for the full year increased by 2.5% to $138.2 billion, with a notable 12% rise in share price on the earnings release day [4] - The company generated $20.1 billion in free cash flow over the past year, up from $19.8 billion the previous year, providing a solid cushion for dividend payments of approximately $11.6 billion [5] Strategic Developments - Verizon completed its acquisition of Frontier Communications in January, which enhances its fiber footprint and supports long-term growth strategies [4] - The company operates as a holding entity providing a range of communication, technology, information, and streaming services to various customer segments [6]

Core Insights - Verizon's new CEO Daniel Schulman announced a strategic shift towards a customer-focused approach to address the loss of wireless customers, resulting in the highest quarterly net subscriber additions since 2019 [1][9]. Subscriber Growth - In the latest quarter, Verizon added 1 million net subscribers, including 616,000 postpaid phone subscribers and 372,000 broadband net additions, which comprised 319,000 fixed wireless subscribers and 67,000 Fios households [5]. - Consumer revenue increased by 3.2% year over year to $28.14 billion, while service revenue rose by 0.9% [6]. Financial Performance - Overall revenue grew by 2% year over year to $36.4 billion, with service revenue slightly up by 0.1% to $28.2 billion and wireless equipment revenue increasing by 9.1% to $8.2 billion [5]. - Adjusted EPS decreased by 0.9% to $1.09, and EBITDA fell by 0.6% to $11.9 billion [6]. Future Projections - Verizon anticipates adding between 750,000 to 1 million postpaid phone subscribers in 2026, with mobility and broadband service revenue expected to rise by 2% to 3% [7]. - Adjusted EPS is projected to increase by 4% to 5%, reaching between $4.90 and $4.95 [7]. Shareholder Returns - The company announced a $25 billion buyback plan to be executed over the next three years, supported by a projected 7% increase in free cash flow to $21.5 billion [8]. - Verizon's dividend is considered secure, well-covered by free cash flow, and the buyback is expected to support its stock price [10]. Competitive Positioning - Verizon aims to stop the trend of losing customers to competitors, with impressive net additions in Q4 and opportunities for cross-selling and bundling following the acquisition of Frontier Communications [9]. - The stock trades at a forward P/E ratio of 9.2 based on 2026 earnings estimates, compared to 11.3 for AT&T, with a forward yield of 6.5%, making it an attractive dividend stock [10].

Core Viewpoint - Verizon Communications has shown significant improvement in its financial performance, making it an attractive option for income investors, particularly due to its robust free cash flow growth, accelerating earnings, and an improving underlying business. Group 1: Financial Performance - Verizon's shares increased by 11.83% following its Q4 update, reflecting positive investor sentiment [2][3] - The company reported free cash flow of $20.1 billion for 2025, an increase from $19.8 billion in the previous year, with guidance projecting a further growth of at least 7% to $21.5 billion in 2026 [3][4] - Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) are projected to be between $4.90 and $4.95 in 2026, indicating a year-over-year growth of 4% to 5% [5][6] Group 2: Business Improvement - Verizon's underlying business is showing noticeable improvement, with the highest quarterly postpaid phone net additions since 2019 [6][8] - Wireless services revenue rose by 1.1% to $21 billion in Q4, while wireless equipment revenue increased by 9.1% year over year to $8.2 billion [8] - The company has successfully reduced its net unsecured debt to $110.1 billion at the end of Q4 2025, down from $113.7 billion the previous year [8] Group 3: Strategic Moves - The acquisition of Frontier Communications, set to close on January 20, 2026, is viewed as a pivotal step in Verizon's turnaround strategy, significantly expanding its fiber footprint to over 30 million homes and businesses [9]

Core Viewpoint - Verizon Communications reported a significant increase in postpaid mobile users and revenue growth, indicating a potential turnaround under new CEO Dan Schulman, who is implementing cost-cutting and strategic transformation plans [1][2][4]. Financial Performance - Verizon's Q4 revenue grew by 2% year-over-year, reaching $36.4 billion, slightly exceeding analyst expectations [2][5]. - The company reported earnings per share of $0.55, with adjusted earnings of $1.09, impacted by severance costs from layoffs [6]. - Wireless service revenue, Verizon's largest segment, amounted to $21 billion [5]. User Growth - The company added 616,000 postpaid mobile users in Q4, significantly surpassing the expected 417,000 [2][6]. - Total wireless retail subscribers reached 146.9 million by the end of the quarter [5]. - Verizon also gained 372,000 net broadband users and 319,000 net fixed wireless users during the quarter [3][7]. Strategic Developments - Verizon completed the acquisition of Frontier Communications for $9.6 billion, expanding its fiber network and broadband user base to 16.3 million [3][6]. - The company aims to provide both mobile and home network services as part of its strategy [3]. - Capital expenditures are projected to be between $16 billion and $16.5 billion in 2026, with approximately $17 billion expected in 2025 [7]. Future Outlook - Verizon forecasts a net addition of 750,000 to 1 million postpaid mobile users for the current year [2][6]. - The company expects wireless service revenue to remain stable, while overall mobile and broadband service revenue is anticipated to grow by 2% to 3% [2][6].

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) is included among the 15 Best S&P 500 Dividend Stocks to Buy in 2026. Bernstein Sees Tougher Competitive Landscape Taking Shape for Verizon (VZ) and Peers Ken Wolter / Shutterstock.com On January 16, Bernstein cut its price target on Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) to $44 from $46, while sticking with a Market Perform rating. The firm said the industry looks like it is heading into a more aggressive phase of competition. Bernstein noted that through 2025, each ...

Core Insights - The article discusses the 15 best S&P 500 dividend stocks to consider for investment in 2026, emphasizing the stability that dividend stocks can provide during market downturns [1] Dividend and Buyback Strategy - Dan Lefkovitz from Morningstar Indexes suggests that combining dividend-paying stocks with companies that actively buy back shares can yield better returns compared to a high-dividend-only strategy [2] - An index that includes both dividends and buybacks has outperformed a high-dividend-only index over the past three years, although it still lags behind the overall US market [2] Cash Return to Shareholders - The article highlights the difference in how companies return cash to shareholders, noting that dividends are a long-term commitment while buybacks are more flexible and often increase when management perceives the stock as undervalued [3] - Large technology companies have been leading in buyback activities, while dividend payments are primarily concentrated in sectors like financials, utilities, energy, and consumer staples [3] International Dividend Yields - Income-focused investors are encouraged to look beyond the US, as domestic dividend yields have decreased to approximately 1.1%, while some European regions offer yields above 3% [4] - Caution is advised against chasing high yields, as unusually high payouts may indicate underlying business stress and potential future dividend cuts [4] Methodology for Stock Selection - The selection process for the 15 best dividend stocks involved screening S&P 500 companies with a market cap of at least $10 billion, focusing on those with stable dividends and yields around 2% as of January 21 [6] - The final list was based on popularity among hedge funds, utilizing data from Insider Monkey's Q3 2025 database [6][7] Company-Specific Insights - **Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ)**: - Holds a dividend yield of 7.06% as of January 21, with 60 hedge fund holders [8] - Bernstein has cut its price target for Verizon to $44, citing increased competition in the telecom industry [8] - Verizon's $20 billion acquisition of Frontier Communications was approved, with commitments to expand fiber internet and wireless coverage in California [9] - **Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ:AMGN)**: - Has a dividend yield of 3.05% as of January 21, with 62 hedge fund holders [11] - Bernstein downgraded Amgen to Market Perform, indicating 2026 may be a waiting year for its product MariTide [11] - Amgen announced the acquisition of Dark Blue Therapeutics for up to $840 million, enhancing its oncology pipeline [12][13]

Core Viewpoint - StandardAero Inc. will replace Frontier Communications Parent Inc. in the S&P MidCap 400 index effective January 22, 2026, due to Verizon Communications Inc.'s acquisition of Frontier Communications [1] Group 1: Index Changes - Effective January 22, 2026, StandardAero will be added to the S&P MidCap 400 index under the ticker SARO in the Industrials sector [1] - Effective January 22, 2026, Frontier Communications Parent will be deleted from the S&P MidCap 400 index under the ticker FYBR in the Communication Services sector [1] Group 2: Acquisition Details - Verizon Communications Inc. is acquiring Frontier Communications Parent, with the deal expected to close soon pending final conditions [1]

Core Insights - Verizon Communications, Inc. has secured all regulatory approvals for the $20 billion acquisition of Frontier Communications, which is essential for its long-term growth strategy [1][8] - The acquisition will expand Verizon's fiber reach to over 30 million passings across 31 states, significantly enhancing its market presence [1][8] Company Performance - As of Q3 2025, Frontier reported 3.3 million broadband customers and added 326,000 fiber passings, reaching a total of 8.8 million fiber locations [2] - Verizon will gain access to Frontier's substantial user base post-acquisition, which includes 133,000 new fiber broadband customers [2] Strategic Opportunities - The acquisition presents significant cross-selling opportunities, allowing Frontier customers to access Verizon's premium mobility, home internet, streaming, and connected home services [3] - Verizon plans to introduce bundled mobile and home internet plans, which may reduce customer churn in a competitive telecom market [3] Market Trends - The Fiber to the Home broadband market was valued at $56.03 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 12.4% from 2025 to 2030, indicating a favorable market environment for Verizon's expansion [4] Competitive Landscape - Verizon faces competition from AT&T and Charter Communications, with AT&T expanding its fiber network to 30 million locations and planning to acquire Lumen's fiber internet business [5] - Charter is investing $7 billion to enhance its fiber-optic network, focusing on rural internet service [6] Financial Metrics - Verizon's stock has gained 2.6% over the past year, contrasting with a 2.8% decline in the Wireless National industry [7] - The company's shares currently trade at a price/earnings ratio of 8.16, down from the industry's 11.34 [9]