Core Insights - Verizon is advancing its consumer business transformation with a strong value commitment aimed at enhancing long-term customer relationships across its mobile and home services [1][2] - The company is introducing a three-year price lock guarantee on all myPlan and myHome network plans, which is a first in the industry, ensuring price stability for customers [6] Business Strategy - The transformation journey began two years ago, focusing on redefining consumer relationships through innovative offerings and a robust network [2] - Verizon aims to improve customer retention, sustainable revenue growth, and long-term shareholder value by providing unprecedented value and predictability [2] Customer Value Enhancements - The new offerings include a price lock guarantee, a free phone with every myPlan, and a home router included at no additional cost [3][4][6] - Customers can save over 40% on popular subscription services like Netflix, Disney+, and Hulu, with additional savings available for those who have both myPlan and myHome [6] Market Position - Verizon positions itself as the first and only carrier to offer a three-year price lock guarantee, automatically enrolling existing customers and resetting the price lock with any plan change [6] - The company emphasizes its unique market position by providing free satellite text messaging on qualifying devices and various savings opportunities through partnerships like the Verizon Visa Credit Card [6]

Core Insights - China Mobile launched the "Digital Rural Upgrade Action" at the "Moving Towards New Digital Agriculture" event, achieving nationwide coverage of "dual gigabit in every township and full connectivity in every village" with 5G and gigabit broadband, completing the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology's "Broadband Frontier" goal a year ahead of schedule [1][2] Group 1 - The digital infrastructure in rural and remote areas of China has seen significant advancements over the past decade, establishing a vital connection to the digital economy [2] - By 2025, China Mobile plans to fully implement the digital rural upgrade initiative, focusing on enhancing agricultural efficiency, rural vitality, and farmers' income [3] - The initiative will leverage AI models and intelligent platforms to empower new types of information infrastructure and services, through five upgrades: AI + new infrastructure, AI + new rural areas, AI + new agriculture, AI + new farming households, and AI + new agricultural education [3] Group 2 - Zhejiang province is a pioneer in digital rural construction, achieving 100% 5G coverage in administrative villages and over 10.9 million households connected to broadband [3] - Successful case studies include a 5,000-acre oil tea base that increased yield by 40% and reduced disaster impact by 30% through real-time data analysis via 5G, and a poultry farm that generated an annual profit of 1.5 million yuan by monitoring chicken activity with smart devices [3]

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of value investing and highlights PLDT (PHI) as a strong candidate for value investors due to its attractive valuation metrics and earnings outlook [2][4][6]. Company Analysis - PLDT (PHI) has a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) and a Value grade of A, indicating strong potential for value investors [4]. - The stock's Forward P/E ratio is 7.29, significantly lower than the industry's average of 10.40, suggesting it may be undervalued [4]. - Over the past year, PHI's Forward P/E has fluctuated between a high of 10.14 and a low of 7.06, with a median of 8.49 [4]. Cash Flow Metrics - PLDT has a P/CF ratio of 2.92, which is attractive compared to the industry's average P/CF of 4.43, indicating a favorable cash outlook [5]. - The P/CF ratio for PHI has ranged from a high of 4.05 to a low of 2.88 over the past year, with a median of 3.34 [5]. Investment Outlook - The combination of low valuation metrics and a strong earnings outlook positions PLDT as one of the market's strongest value stocks [6].

Core Viewpoint - AT&T is viewed as a stable investment option in an unstable market, with a significant stock rally of 60% over the past year compared to a 6% rise in the S&P 500 [1] Group 1: Company Restructuring and Financial Performance - AT&T divested from low-margin and unprofitable media assets like DirecTV and Time Warner, allowing it to focus on its core 5G wireless and fiber broadband businesses while reducing debt [2] - In 2023, AT&T added 1.7 million net postpaid phone subscribers and 1.1 million net fiber subscribers, with free cash flow (FCF) increasing by 19% to $16.8 billion, covering $8.1 billion in dividends [3] - For 2024, AT&T expects to add 1.7 million net postpaid phone subscribers and 1 million net fiber subscribers, with FCF growing 5% to $17.6 billion, comfortably covering $8.2 billion in dividends [3] Group 2: Market Position and Future Outlook - AT&T is considered a safe haven stock amid inflation and high interest rates, with a current dividend yield of 3.9% [4] - For 2025, AT&T anticipates mobility service revenue growth at the higher end of 2% to 3%, consumer fiber broadband revenue growth in the mid-teens, and consolidated service revenue growth in low single digits [5] - The company expects to generate over $16 billion in free cash flow and adjusted EPS between $1.97 to $2.07, with adjusted EBITDA projected to grow by at least 3% [6] Group 3: Debt Management and Valuation - AT&T plans to reduce its net-debt-to-adjusted-EBITDA ratio from 2.7 at the end of 2024 to 2.5 in the first half of 2025 while increasing investments in wireless and fiber networks [7] - Analysts project AT&T's revenue and adjusted EBITDA to grow at compound annual rates of 1.5% and 3.2% from 2024 to 2027, with an enterprise value of $314.7 billion [8] - AT&T is trading at 6.9 times this year's adjusted EBITDA, which is competitive compared to Verizon's 6.5 times, despite Verizon offering a higher dividend yield of 6% [8] Group 4: Investment Consideration - AT&T is seen as a worthy investment due to its insulation from tariffs, attractive dividends, and low valuations, making it a safe option for income generation [9]

In investing, it is necessary to adjust your opinion as new data comes in. A wonderful example that I could point to involves telecommunications giant Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ ). In my most recent article about it, published Subscribers get to use a 50+ stock model account, in-depth cash flow analyses of E&P firms, and live chat discussion of the sector. Sign up today for your two-week free trial and get a new lease on oil & gas! Crude Value Insights offers you an investing service and community foc ...

Core Insights - Zacks Premium offers various tools to help investors make informed decisions and enhance their confidence in the stock market [1] - The Zacks Style Scores provide a unique rating system for stocks based on value, growth, and momentum characteristics, aiding investors in selecting securities with high potential for market outperformance [2][3] Zacks Style Scores - Stocks are rated from A to F based on their value, growth, and momentum, with A being the highest score indicating a better chance of outperforming the market [3] - The Value Score identifies attractive and discounted stocks using ratios like P/E, PEG, and Price/Sales [4] - The Growth Score focuses on a company's financial strength and future outlook, analyzing projected and historical earnings, sales, and cash flow [5] - The Momentum Score helps investors capitalize on price trends by evaluating recent price changes and earnings estimate shifts [6] - The VGM Score combines the three Style Scores to highlight stocks with the best value, growth, and momentum characteristics [6] Zacks Rank - The Zacks Rank is a proprietary model that leverages earnings estimate revisions to assist investors in building successful portfolios [7] - Stocks rated 1 (Strong Buy) have historically achieved an average annual return of +25.41% since 1988, significantly outperforming the S&P 500 [8] - Investors are encouraged to select stocks with a Zacks Rank of 1 or 2 and Style Scores of A or B for optimal returns [9] Company Spotlight: Verizon Communications - Verizon Communications Inc. is a major player in the communication services sector, providing local phone, long-distance, wireless, and data services [11] - The company holds a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) and a VGM Score of B, indicating a solid position in the market [12] - Verizon's Value Style Score is B, supported by a forward P/E ratio of 9.67, making it attractive for value investors [12] - Recent earnings estimates for fiscal 2025 have been revised upward, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate now at $4.69 per share, alongside an average earnings surprise of 1.3% [12][13]

Verizon Communications Inc. VZ is dialing up a bullish breakout as its stock pushes past key technical levels. With shares up 12.76% year to date and 5.20% in the past month, Verizon stock has now confirmed a golden cross, a classic bullish indicator signaling potential for more upside. Chart created using Benzinga Pro Read Also: EXCLUSIVE: Why Defiance ETF CEO Sees Big Gains Ahead During Nvidia's 6G Revolution Verizon Stock Technicals Confirm A Strong Uptrend At $44.93, Verizon stock is currently above its ...

Core Insights - 2degrees has signed a six-year agreement with Nokia to enhance its 5G services and optimize network efficiency through the deployment of Nokia's Cloud Native Communication Suite (CNCS) [1][7] - The integration of CNCS will allow 2degrees to streamline network activities, enhance automation, and minimize manual intervention, leading to improved operational efficiency [2][7] - The modernization efforts are expected to reduce infrastructure and carbon footprint while lowering operational costs, with energy efficiency improvements estimated between 10% to 20% compared to standard IMS Voice Core [3] Company Developments - 2degrees will utilize Nokia's MantaRay Network Management solution for a consolidated view of network monitoring and management, further enhancing operational capabilities [5] - The deployment of CNCS on the Nokia Cloud Platform, which includes Red Hat OpenShift, will provide a scalable infrastructure for 2degrees to quickly introduce new services [2][7] - 2degrees aims to modernize its network architecture to create new monetization and innovation pathways, enhancing subscriber experience [2][4] Industry Context - Nokia holds a leading position in the global 5G Standalone Core Networks market, with 55% of live deployments utilizing its software and 123 communication service provider customers as of the end of 2024 [6] - The collaboration between 2degrees and Nokia reflects a broader trend in the telecommunications industry towards cloud-native solutions that enable flexibility and scalability in network management [4][10]

Core Insights - 2degrees has signed a six-year agreement with Nokia to enhance its 5G services and network efficiency through the deployment of Nokia's Cloud Native Communication Suite (CNCS) [1][7] - The integration of CNCS will allow 2degrees to streamline network activities, enhance automation, and minimize manual intervention, leading to improved operational efficiency [2][7] - The modernization efforts are expected to reduce infrastructure and carbon footprint while lowering operational costs, with energy efficiency improvements estimated between 10% to 20% compared to standard IMS Voice Core [3] Company Developments - 2degrees will utilize Nokia's MantaRay Network Management solution for a consolidated view of network monitoring and management, optimizing overall network performance [5] - The deployment of CNCS on the Nokia Cloud Platform, which includes Red Hat OpenShift, will provide a scalable infrastructure for 2degrees to quickly introduce new services [2][7] - 2degrees aims to enhance subscriber experience and optimize network management through new automation tools enabled by the CNCS [2] Industry Context - Nokia holds a leading position in the global 5G Standalone Core Networks market, with 55% of live deployments utilizing its software and 123 communication service provider customers as of the end of 2024 [6] - The collaboration between 2degrees and Nokia reflects a broader trend in the telecommunications industry towards cloud-native solutions that facilitate faster service rollouts and improved network management [4][6]

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights three companies—Altria, Verizon, and Chubb Limited—that are considered insulated from the impact of tariffs proposed by the Trump administration, making them attractive investment options in an unpredictable market [1][2]. Group 1: Altria - Altria is the largest tobacco company in America, controlling 45.9% of the U.S. retail cigarette market in 2024, and has diversified into smokeless products [4][6]. - Despite declining adult smoking rates, Altria has managed to maintain profitability through price increases, cost-cutting, and share buybacks, with analysts projecting a 4% EPS growth in 2025 and 3% in 2026 [5][6]. - The stock trades at 11 times forward earnings and offers a forward dividend yield of 7.1%, having raised its payout annually since 2008, making it appealing to income-oriented investors [6][7]. Group 2: Verizon - Verizon is a major telecom company that generates most of its profits from domestic wireless and wireline services, making it less vulnerable to tariffs [8]. - In 2024, Verizon saw a significant recovery, more than doubling its postpaid phone net additions and reducing its total wireless churn rate to 1.62%, attributed to localized marketing and customizable plans [9]. - Analysts expect Verizon's adjusted EPS to grow by 2% in 2025 and 4% in 2026, with the stock trading at 9 times forward earnings and a forward yield of 6.1%, having raised its payout for 18 consecutive years [10]. Group 3: Chubb Limited - Chubb is the largest publicly traded provider of various insurance policies, which are not directly affected by tariffs, as insurance companies do not engage in import/export activities [11]. - Chubb's core operating income per share rose by 30% in 2023 and 13% in 2024, with consolidated net premiums increasing by 13.5% in 2023 and 8.7% in 2024 [12]. - The stock trades at 14 times forward earnings, offers a forward dividend yield of 1.2%, and has raised its payout for 32 consecutive years, making it a stable investment option [13].