Empirical Asset Management LLC Buys 24,911 Shares of Verizon Communications Inc. $VZ

Empirical Asset Management LLC grew its stake in Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) by 221.0% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 36,182 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock after acquiring an additional 24,911 shares during the quarter. Empirical Asset Management LLC’s holdings in Verizon Communications were worth $1,590,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Brighton Jones LLC raised its stake in Verizon Communications by 61.2% during the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 43,986 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock worth $1,759,000 after buying an additional 16,704 shares during the period. United Bank increased its holdings in shares of Verizon Communications by 11.5% in the second quarter. United Bank now owns 7,843 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock worth $339,000 after acquiring an additional 806 shares in the last quarter. GoalVest Advisory LLC raised its position in shares of Verizon Communications by 3,029.0% during the second quarter. GoalVest Advisory LLC now owns 970 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock worth $42,000 after purchasing an additional 939 shares during the period. Cobblestone Capital Advisors LLC NY acquired a new stake in shares of Verizon Communications during the second quarter worth about $208,000. Finally, AustralianSuper Pty Ltd lifted its holdings in shares of Verizon Communications by 0.7% during the 2nd quarter. AustralianSuper Pty Ltd now owns 463,181 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock valued at $20,042,000 after purchasing an additional 3,199 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 62.06% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research firms recently issued reports on VZ. Royal Bank Of Canada increased their target price on Verizon Communications from $44.00 to $48.00 and gave the stock a “sector perform” rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 3rd. Weiss Ratings raised shares of Verizon Communications from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a research report on Thursday, February 5th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on shares of Verizon Communications from $47.00 to $49.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 3rd. Morgan Stanley upped their target price on shares of Verizon Communications from $47.00 to $49.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Monday, February 2nd. Finally, KeyCorp reissued a “sector weight” rating on shares of Verizon Communications in a research note on Monday, January 26th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have assigned a Buy rating and eleven have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $49.02.

Insider Buying and Selling at Verizon Communications

In other news, EVP Joseph J. Russo sold 9,579 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $44.88, for a total transaction of $429,905.52. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 44,045 shares in the company, valued at $1,976,739.60. This represents a 17.86% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. 0.10% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

More Verizon Communications News

Here are the key news stories impacting Verizon Communications this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Daiwa upgraded VZ to Buy and raised its price target to $58, citing stronger-than-expected subscriber growth and fourth-quarter momentum that supports upside to estimates. Daiwa Upgrades Verizon (VZ) as Subscriber Growth Signals Strong Momentum
• Positive Sentiment: Technical momentum — VZ recently traded to a 52‑week high and cleared a “golden cross” (50‑day SMA above 200‑day SMA), which often attracts momentum and technical funds. Verizon Communications stock hits 52-week high at 50.25 USD
• Positive Sentiment: Additional technical coverage highlights the golden cross as a potential buy signal for traders, reinforcing the recent price strength. Verizon Communications (VZ) Now Trades Above Golden Cross: Time to Buy?
• Positive Sentiment: Zacks and other analysts spotlight VZ as a momentum/value pick versus peers — noting cheaper valuation and rising 2026 estimates relative to T-Mobile, which supports rotation into VZ for income + growth exposure. Verizon vs. T-Mobile: Which 5G Stock is the Better Buy Today?
• Positive Sentiment: Dividend/income investors are noticing VZ again — it was listed among high‑yield dividend stalwarts that appeal to conservative, yield-seeking portfolios. That can support demand from income funds. 20 Years on Wall Street Taught Me: Boomers Feel Safe With 5 High-Yield Dividend Giants
• Neutral Sentiment: Verizon completed a €2.25 billion euro and sterling junior subordinated notes sale — a debt raise that appears aimed at refinancing/capital management; it increases outstanding debt but is structured debt, so the near‑term impact is neutral unless credit costs change. Verizon Issues Euro and Sterling Junior Subordinated Notes
• Neutral Sentiment: Management presentation transcript from the Barclays Communications & Content Symposium is available — useful for detail on strategy and 5G/content initiatives, but it contains no major surprises in this release cycle. Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ) Presents at Barclays Communications and Content Symposium 2026 Transcript
• Neutral Sentiment: Broad market volatility headlines (Dow weakness) could cap upside in short windows despite company-specific strength — macro moves remain a watch point for timing. Stock Market Today: Dow Dives As EU Makes Trump Tariff Move; Novo Plunges On This (Live Coverage)

Verizon Communications Stock Up 0.4%

Verizon Communications stock opened at $49.87 on Wednesday. The company has a current ratio of 0.91, a quick ratio of 0.87 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.32. Verizon Communications Inc. has a 1-year low of $38.39 and a 1-year high of $50.47. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $42.79 and a 200 day simple moving average of $42.23. The company has a market cap of $210.35 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.31, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.08 and a beta of 0.33.

Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, January 30th. The cell phone carrier reported $1.09 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.06 by $0.03. The company had revenue of $36.38 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $36.20 billion. Verizon Communications had a net margin of 12.43% and a return on equity of 19.03%. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 2.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.10 EPS. Verizon Communications has set its FY 2026 guidance at 4.900-4.950 EPS. Research analysts anticipate that Verizon Communications Inc. will post 4.69 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Verizon Communications Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, April 10th will be paid a $0.7075 dividend. This is a positive change from Verizon Communications’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.69. This represents a $2.83 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.7%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, April 10th. Verizon Communications’s dividend payout ratio is 68.15%.

Verizon Communications Profile

Verizon Communications Inc (NYSE: VZ) is a major U.S.-based telecommunications company that provides a broad range of communications and information services. Its operations span consumer and business markets, with core offerings that include wireless voice and data services, fixed-line broadband and fiber-optic services, and enterprise networking solutions. Verizon is headquartered in New York City and operates a nationwide wireless network that supports consumer subscribers as well as business and government customers.

The company’s consumer products include mobile phone plans, unlimited data services, and Fios, its branded fiber-optic internet, television and voice service for homes and small businesses.