Pacer Advisors Inc. Has $419.43 Million Holdings in Verizon Communications Inc. $VZ

Pacer Advisors Inc. grew its position in Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) by 3.1% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 10,297,784 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock after acquiring an additional 307,658 shares during the period. Verizon Communications accounts for approximately 0.6% of Pacer Advisors Inc.’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 23rd biggest position. Pacer Advisors Inc.’s holdings in Verizon Communications were worth $419,429,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Strengthening Families & Communities LLC grew its position in Verizon Communications by 490.0% during the 4th quarter. Strengthening Families & Communities LLC now owns 649 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 539 shares during the last quarter. Holos Integrated Wealth LLC bought a new position in Verizon Communications in the fourth quarter valued at about $28,000. Foster Dykema Cabot & Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Verizon Communications during the third quarter valued at about $29,000. EQ Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Verizon Communications during the fourth quarter valued at about $29,000. Finally, Sarver Vrooman Wealth Advisors grew its holdings in shares of Verizon Communications by 173.0% during the fourth quarter. Sarver Vrooman Wealth Advisors now owns 707 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 448 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 62.06% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on VZ shares. Erste Group Bank reaffirmed a “hold” rating on shares of Verizon Communications in a research note on Tuesday, May 5th. Raymond James Financial reiterated an “outperform” rating and set a $56.00 target price on shares of Verizon Communications in a research report on Thursday, March 12th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on shares of Verizon Communications from $44.00 to $46.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Tuesday, April 28th. Scotiabank upgraded shares of Verizon Communications from a “sector perform” rating to a “sector outperform” rating and upped their price target for the company from $50.25 to $54.50 in a research report on Monday, March 9th. Finally, Barclays raised their price target on shares of Verizon Communications from $43.00 to $47.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 31st. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have assigned a Buy rating and twelve have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $50.59.

Verizon Communications Trading Down 0.9%

Shares of VZ stock opened at $45.44 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $189.72 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.08, a PEG ratio of 1.12 and a beta of 0.24. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $46.97 and a 200-day moving average of $45.66. The company has a current ratio of 0.64, a quick ratio of 0.61 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.38. Verizon Communications Inc. has a 1-year low of $38.39 and a 1-year high of $51.68.

Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, April 27th. The cell phone carrier reported $1.28 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.21 by $0.07. The company had revenue of $34.44 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $34.82 billion. Verizon Communications had a return on equity of 19.25% and a net margin of 12.46%.The firm’s revenue was up 2.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.19 earnings per share. Verizon Communications has set its FY 2026 guidance at 4.950-4.990 EPS. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Verizon Communications Inc. will post 4.97 earnings per share for the current year.

Verizon Communications Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, August 3rd. Shareholders of record on Friday, July 10th will be given a dividend of $0.7075 per share. This represents a $2.83 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, July 10th. Verizon Communications’s dividend payout ratio is currently 69.02%.

Key Headlines Impacting Verizon Communications

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

• Positive Sentiment: Verizon unveiled a customer offer that removes two major fees, part of a broader loyalty push that also eliminates activation/upgrade charges. That could help improve retention and ease pressure from elevated wireless churn, potentially supporting revenue stability. Verizon adds new offer that removes 2 major fees for customers
• Neutral Sentiment: Verizon completed the expiration and final results of several debt exchange/tender and consent solicitations, a balance-sheet management move that is likely routine rather than a major near-term earnings driver. Verizon announces expiration and final results of its private exchange offers and consent solicitations for 11 series of notes
• Neutral Sentiment: Verizon also announced final results for tender offers and consent solicitations across multiple note series, which may modestly support financial flexibility but does not change the core operating outlook by itself. Verizon announces expiration and final results of its tender offers and consent solicitations for 20 series of Verizon and certain of its subsidiaries’ notes
• Neutral Sentiment: Several articles noted that Verizon remains on investor watch lists because of its dividend yield and valuation, but these pieces were mostly commentary rather than new company-specific catalysts. Why Is Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) Drawing Telecom Investor Attention?
• Negative Sentiment: Recent trading showed VZ underperforming the broader market, with investors still concerned about competitive pressure and churn in the wireless business. Verizon Communications (VZ) Falls More Steeply Than Broader Market: What Investors Need to Know

About Verizon Communications

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.