Verizon Communications Inc., through its subsidiaries, engages in the provision of communications, technology, information, and entertainment products and services to consumers, businesses, and governmental entities worldwide. It operates in two segments, Verizon Consumer Group (Consumer) and Verizon Business Group (Business). The Consumer segment provides wireless services across the wireless networks in the United States under the Verizon and TracFone brands and through wholesale and other arrangements; and fixed wireless access (FWA) broadband through its wireless networks, as well as related equipment and devices, such as smartphones, tablets, smart watches, and other wireless-enabled connected devices. The segment also offers wireline services in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern United States, as well as Washington D.C. through its fiber-optic network, Verizon Fios product portfolio, and a copper-based network. The Business segment provides wireless and wireline communications services and products, including FWA broadband, data, video and conferencing, corporate networking, security and managed network, local and long-distance voice, and network access services to deliver various IoT services and products to businesses, government customers, and wireless and wireline carriers in the United States and internationally. The company was formerly known as Bell Atlantic Corporation and changed its name to Verizon Communications Inc. in June 2000. Verizon Communications Inc. was incorporated in 1983 and is headquartered in New York, New York.

Verizon демонстрирует смешанную фундаментальную картину. С одной стороны, компания имеет низкий P/E (8.51), что указывает на недооцененность, но это также может сигнализировать о рыночных опасениях относительно роста. EPS и EPS Forecast значительно выше медианных значений по отрасли, что позитивно сказывается на прогнозах прибыли. Однако высокая долговая нагрузка (debt-equity ratio 1.19) и низкий текущий коэффициент (0.74) указывают на потенциальные финансовые риски. Дивидендная доходность сократилась до нуля, что может негативно сказаться на восприятии инвесторов. Несмотря на это, компания демонстрирует сильные операционные показатели, включая высокие маржи прибыли и рост выручки, что может свидетельствовать о ее устойчивости. В целом, высокая рентабельность и рост доходов являются сильными сторонами, однако долговая нагрузка и низкая ликвидность представляют собой риски, требующие внимания. Это создает неопределенность в оценке компании и требует корректировки целевой цены.

Verizon Communications Inc.

Key Points
Verizon's dividend yields 5.8% and has risen for 20 straight years.
The strain on the balance sheet could force the company to rethink its dividend.
If you're an income investor, Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) stock may look like a no-brainer on the surface. It is one of only three nationwide 5G providers, and the massive cost of building a competing network makes an increase in competition unlikely.
Moreover, the 5.8% dividend yield is far above the S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) average of 1.1%, and a 20-year streak of payout hikes usually implies that more dividend increases are likely.
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However, when one takes a closer look at Verizon's financials, they point to a ticking time bomb. Although addressing that issue could ultimately help its stock price, dividend investors should probably stay away from the communications stock. Here's why.
The ticking time bomb for Verizon
Verizon's growing issue is its total debt. It now stands at $172 billion, up from $158 billion at the end of last year and $144 billion in the year-ago quarter. This is well above the $105 billion in total equity, representing a huge burden for the company.
Most of the recent debt increase came from its $20 billion acquisition of Frontier Communications, which closed earlier this year. Investors may also recall its $53 billion purchase of C-band spectrum in 2021. That probably improved the quality of its wireless network but also increased its debt.
Additionally, Verizon continues to spend heavily on capital expenditures (capex). It plans to spend $16 billion to $16.5 billion in capex this year, down only slightly from the $17 billion spent in 2025.
The problem for Verizon is also that its 20 years of dividend increases have come at a tremendous cost. On the surface, its Q1 free cash flow of $3.8 billion was enough to cover the $2.9 billion in dividend costs.
Nonetheless, that leaves only $0.9 billion for share repurchases, investments in the company, and yes, debt repayment. Amid the rising debt, interest expenses were $1.9 billion in Q1 alone, up from $1.6 billion in the first quarter of last year.
That financial reality may ultimately leave Verizon with no choice but to cut or suspend its dividend to help reduce these costs. The same thing happened to rival AT&T (NYSE: T) in 2022. High debt levels from the failed DirecTV and Time Warner acquisitions led it to abandon its 35-year streak of annual dividend hikes and to cut the dividend by nearly 50%.
Such a move may prompt income investors to sell the stock, leading to a near-term decline. Admittedly, a lower debt burden may later lead investors to buy the stock as its balance sheet strengthens, but that transition bodes poorly for Verizon's stock price in the shorter term.
Moving forward with Verizon
As one of the largest communications services companies, Verizon is likely to continue generating positive free cash flows. Also, a reduced debt load should eventually boost the stock as its balance sheet strengthens.
However, the dividend is claiming most of its free cash flow, making it difficult for Verizon to reduce the massive total debt that has strained its balance sheet. Thus, if one owns Verizon for the dividend income, they should probably get out now and seek cash returns in other investments.
Should you buy stock in Verizon Communications right now?
Before you buy stock in Verizon Communications, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Verizon Communications wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $496,797!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,282,815!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 979% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 200% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.
*Stock Advisor returns as of April 30, 2026.
Will Healy has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Verizon Communications. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

The Ticking Time Bomb That Could Force Income Investors to Sell Verizon Stock

Key Points
Following a challenging period, Verizon impressed with another strong quarter of subscriber growth.
The telecom giant has a big opportunity to sell bundled services following its acquisition of Frontier.
Verizon Communications' (NYSE: VZ) shift in strategy last fall once again showed it was paying dividends in Q1, with another solid quarter of subscriber growth. At the time, the company's new CEO said it would move from a technology-centric approach to a customer-focused one and that it would no longer be a wireless subscriber loser.
Another quarter of strong subscriber growth
During the quarter, Verizon added 55,000 postpaid phone subscriptions. It was the first time the company added subscribers during the first quarter since 2013. It also added 341,000 broadband net additions, including 214,000 fixed wireless subscriptions and 127,000 fiber households.
Will AI create the world's first trillionaire? Our team just released a report on the one little-known company, called an "Indispensable Monopoly" providing the critical technology Nvidia and Intel both need. Continue »
Verizon's overall revenue increased by 2.9% year over year to $34.4 billion, with service revenue rising 2.4% to $28.8 billion and wireless equipment revenue jumping 5.2% to $5.7 billion.
Consumer revenue rose by 3.3% year over year to $26.5 billion, with service revenue up 2%. The company's business unit was solid, with revenue up by 1.8% year over year to $7.4 billion. Overall adjusted earnings per share (EPS) climbed 7.6% to $1.28, while earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) grew 6.7% to $13.4 billion.
Looking ahead, Verizon expects to hit the high end of its prior guidance of adding between 750,000 to 1 million postpaid phone subscribers for the year. It continues to expect mobility and broadband service revenue to rise between 2% to 3%. Meanwhile, it slightly raised its adjusted EPS guidance from a range of $4.90 and $4.95 to a new range of $4.95 to $4.99, representing 5% to 6% growth.
Is the stock a buy?
Verizon's new customer-focused strategy is paying off, and it has strong cross-sell and bundling opportunities ahead following its recent acquisition of Frontier Communications earlier this year. It said that only about 20% of its customers have both wireless and broadband subscriptions, so this is a big opportunity in the years ahead. Meanwhile, it's also leaning into artificial intelligence to offer tailored customer offerings that help attract new customers and improve retention.
One of the big reasons investors own Verizon is its dividend and the stock's 6% yield. This looks to be in good shape, with its unsecured leverage (net unsecured net/adjusted EBITDA) between 2 times and 2.25x, and it is set to generate $21.5 billion in free cash flow this year, which is well above the approximately $12 billion in dividends it will pay out this year.
Verizon stock has a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 9.6 based on 2026 earnings estimates. This is a dividend stock that income-oriented investors should want to own.
Should you buy stock in Verizon Communications right now?
Before you buy stock in Verizon Communications, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Verizon Communications wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $497,606!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,306,846!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 985% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 200% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.
Geoffrey Seiler has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Verizon Communications. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Is Verizon Stock a Buy as Strategy Shift Leads to More Subscribers?

Key Points
Specialty retailer Tractor Supply has found a niche that works despite last quarter’s disappointing results.
Realty Income offers reliable dividend payments at a pace that is more in line with your expenses.
Telecom giant Verizon may not offer enormous growth, but it offers reliable recurring income.
Are you looking for some dividend stocks you can comfortably hang onto forever, without feeling like you must start thinking defensively every time things get a little shaky? They're out there. There aren't a whole lot of these rock-solidly reliable income-generating names, but they're out there.
Here's a closer look at three of them, only one of which is likely to be a name you're highly familiar with.
Will AI create the world's first trillionaire? Our team just released a report on the one little-known company, called an "Indispensable Monopoly" providing the critical technology Nvidia and Intel both need. Continue »
Tractor Supply
The prevailing narrative suggests the entire brick-and-mortar retailing business is on its deathbed. But that's not quite the case. Most of the industry's misery is limited to malls in general, and department stores in particular. Focused, specialized retailers like pet stores and sporting goods stores are still doing surprisingly well.
And there's an often-overlooked player in the specialty retail space that's latched onto a cultural shift that isn't likely to unwind anytime soon. That shift is the growing preference for self-sufficiency and a greater awareness of how we live, and even what we eat. The company is home-farm supply outfit Tractor Supply (NASDAQ: TSCO). Most of the retailer's 2,395 stores are located in suburbs and even in rural areas, where such a lifestyle shift is feasible, and where its goods, ranging from seeds to fencing to boots to tools, are most marketable to consumers.
This didn't seem to be the case just a few days ago, when the retailer reported first-quarter results that missed expectations. Specifically, while revenue of $3.6 billion was in line with analysts' estimates, per-share earnings of $0.31 fell short of the consensus of $0.34 per share. Same-store sales growth of only 0.5% also missed forecasts for year-over-year growth of 1.6%. Already on the defensive, the news upended TSCO stock, driving it well into multiyear territory.
In many ways, however, this sharp sell-off may also serve as the last frenzied leg of a sell-off that needed to run its full course before turning back into an uptrend.
The prospect of a recovery effort starting to take shape here is certainly high. Although last quarter's earnings missed estimates, the company still contends that same-store sales will improve between 1% and 3% this year, lifted by overall revenue growth of between 4% and 6%. It's also still looking for respectable earnings growth of around 6%, which, of course, will continue supporting a dividend payment that's now been raised for 17 consecutive years.
Newcomers will be plugging in while TSCO's forward-looking dividend yield stands at a decent 2.6%.
Realty Income
Speaking of retail, how would you like to be a landlord to some of the retail industry's most resilient names like Walmart, Dollar General, Home Depot, and yes, even the aforementioned Tractor Supply? Well, you can. That's what a stake in real estate investment trust (REIT) Realty Income (NYSE: O) does. The company owns 15,511 different retail properties offering a total of 355 million square feet of retail space that's consistently more than 98% occupied.
The real estate leasing business is obviously ideally suited for supporting recurring dividends, which Realty Income has proven in earnest for decades now. Not only has it paid a dividend like clockwork since it was founded in 1969, but it has also raised its quarterly per-share payout in each of the past 114 quarters. The stock's forward-looking dividend yield at this time is a healthy 5.1%.
The kicker: Unlike most other dividend stocks, Realty Income dishes out its dividends on a monthly rather than on a quarterly basis. If you need investment income to help cover some of your monthly living expenses, this income name is a particularly convenient one to own.
Verizon
Finally, add wireless telecom giant Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) to your list of income stocks you can buy now and never sell, while its forward-looking dividend yield is just over 6%.
The thesis here is pretty obvious. Consumers may cut back on discretionary purchases when money is tight or postpone the purchase of a new automobile. They're almost certainly going to maintain their mobile connection to the rest of the world, though. We're arguably addicted to our smartphones, after all. A recent survey performed by Reviews.org indicates that Americans check their cellphones an average of 186 times per day just to make sure they've not missed anything, contributing to the five hours they're typically looking at their device's screen every day.
Mentally healthy or not, people aren't likely to give up their wireless service now. Verizon simply needs to make sure it remains competitive with AT&T and T-Mobile US, which it is. The company added (net) 340,000 new postpaid wireless customers during the first quarter of this year, and expects to add as many as one million customers over the course of 2026.
Perhaps of more interest to income-minded investors, Verizon has upped its per-share dividend payment in each of the past 19 years, and by more than a little. The current quarterly payment is nearly 75% bigger than its payout was back at the beginning of 2006. You might not get a ton of capital appreciation from this stock, but you'll certainly get plenty of ever-rising income.
Should you buy stock in Realty Income right now?
Before you buy stock in Realty Income, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Realty Income wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $497,606!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,306,846!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 985% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 200% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.
*Stock Advisor returns as of April 29, 2026.
James Brumley has positions in AT&T. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Home Depot, Realty Income, Tractor Supply, and Walmart. The Motley Fool recommends T-Mobile US and Verizon Communications and recommends the following options: short April 2026 $55 calls on Tractor Supply. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Want Income for Life? Here Are 3 Stocks to Buy Now and Never Sell.

Key Points
Sirius XM pays out an excellent dividend yield of 4%.
Verizon, however, pays out a dividend with a yield of 6.1%.
Verizon has also increased its dividend for 21 years in a row.
When Warren Buffett, the former CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, buys a stock, it warrants an extra look, just because of his tremendously successful track record.
In late 2023, Buffett (through Berkshire) bought shares of satellite radio company Sirius XM (NASDAQ: SIRI), and the stock immediately got the Buffett bounce. But since then, the stock has struggled, down about 46% from late 2023 when it traded at $48 per share. It is up a robust 35% year to date in 2026 to $27 per share, but it is still down big from when Buffett bought it.
Will AI create the world's first trillionaire? Our team just released a report on the one little-known company, called an "Indispensable Monopoly" providing the critical technology Nvidia and Intel both need. Continue »
Despite its 2026 rebound, there is limited upside for Sirius XM, at least according to analysts. Revenue and adjusted earnings were down last year, and the outlook for 2026 is not much better. The company calls for flat revenue and a slight decline in adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) in 2026.
There is scuttlebutt that Sirius XM is in talks to buy iHeartMedia, but nothing is concrete or official. That could change its trajectory, one way or the other, depending on the deal. Stay tuned for more when Sirius reports Q2 earnings on April 30.
On the plus side, Sirius XM has a strong dividend, paying $0.27 per share at a yield of 4.06%. But there is another media and communications stock, Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ), with a better dividend and more upside.
Verizonʻs stellar dividend
Verizon released its first-quarter earnings on Monday, April 27, and the results lifted the stock more than 3% to about $48 per share. While revenue rose 3% year over year in Q1, it missed estimates by a whisker. However, adjusted earnings topped estimates, growing nearly 8%. It was the highest adjusted earnings growth rate since 2021.
In addition, Verizon raised its 2026 guidance, calling for adjusted earnings of $4.95 to $4.99 per share, representing 5% to 6% growth. Also, it lifted its guidance for retail postpaid phone net additions to be in the high end of the 750,000 to 1.0 million range. That would be 2 to 3 times above 2025 levels.
Verizon stock is up about 15.5% year to date, and Wall Street analysts have a median price target of $49.50 per share, which is only about a 5.3% gain. But that could reset higher following this outlook rise.
The primary draw of Verizon stock right now is its dividend. This quarter, Verizon raised its dividend to $0.71 per share, from $0.69 per share the previous quarter. Its ridiculously high yield of 6.1% is one of the highest youʻll find. Further, Verizon has increased its dividend annually for the past 21 years.
That dividend is fed by Verizonʻs strong free cash flow. In Q1, Verizon increased its free cash flow by 4% to $3.8 billion. For 2026, Verizon anticipates $21.5 billion in free cash flow, some 7% more than 2025 and the highest total since 2020.
The dividend alone makes it a great buy in these choppy markets. When you reinvest that dividend back into the stock, you are boosting its total return. Either that, or you pocket the high-yield dividend. Either way, Verizon is one of the best dividend stocks youʻll find.
Should you buy stock in Verizon Communications right now?
Before you buy stock in Verizon Communications, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Verizon Communications wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $497,606!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,306,846!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 985% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 200% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.
*Stock Advisor returns as of April 29, 2026.
Dave Kovaleski has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Berkshire Hathaway. The Motley Fool recommends Verizon Communications. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Forget This Struggling Audio Stock: This 6.1%‑Yielding Dividend Stock Is the Safer Way to Get Paid.

Key Points
These stocks are leaders in telecom, and investors have relied on their dividend payments for years.
Verizon's yield is higher, but AT&T's payout ratio is far lower, offering a greater buffer.
AT&T's stock has done better in recent years, but in 2026, it's been Verizon that's been the hotter buy.
Dividend investors often target stable sectors and industries to invest in because that can minimize the risk that there will be surprises and volatility later on. Telecom stocks, thus, can make for ideal options to consider given that their businesses provide customers with necessary services and they generate a great deal of recurring income.
Two of the biggest names in telecom are AT&T (NYSE: T) and Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ). They also are among the most compelling dividend stocks to consider, with both offering fairly high yields. But which one is the better option for dividend investors today?
Will AI create the world's first trillionaire? Our team just released a report on the one little-known company, called an "Indispensable Monopoly" providing the critical technology Nvidia and Intel both need. Continue »
Verizon's yield is higher at 6%
What inevitably draws the most attention from investors when it comes to dividends is the overall yield, and Verizon has an edge here. It pays 6%, which is more than five times the S&P 500 average of just 1.1%. AT&T also offers a fairly high yield at 4.3%, but it is notably lower than Verizon's payout.
But investors often worry that high yields aren't sustainable, which is why stocks with high payouts don't necessarily rise in value. In fact, that's one of the reasons Verizon's yield is high -- its share price has declined 16% over the past five years. When that happens, its yield rises (assuming, of course, the dividend remains intact). Meanwhile, AT&T stock has risen by 11% over that same time frame.
What's important to consider is the payout ratio, which helps to gauge just how safe a dividend is, regardless of the actual yield. AT&T is paying out approximately 37% of its earnings as dividends, while Verizon's payout ratio is around 67%. AT&T has more of a buffer, but both payouts look to be safe.
AT&T hasn't raised its dividend for several years
With a low payout ratio, the nagging question about AT&T stock is whether it might raise its dividend anytime soon. It hasn't increased its payout since 2020. That means that over time, inflation has been chipping away at the dividend income AT&T has provided its shareholders with, especially with inflation being particularly high in recent years.
Verizon, on the other hand, has prided itself on continuously growing its dividend. Earlier this year, it increased its dividend by 2.5%. And over the past five years, its quarterly dividend has risen by nearly 13%. That's not terribly impressive, as inflation has been higher over that stretch, but at the very least, it has given investors some incentive to buy and hold.
Which business is in better shape today?
Another key factor to consider when analyzing dividend stocks is the strength of their underlying businesses. A yield can look impressive, but if a company isn't going in the right direction, there may be a dividend cut or suspension looming around the corner.
Verizon recently posted its first-quarter earnings for 2026, which were encouraging. The telecom company boasted of its postpaid phone net adds, which it says were positive in Q1 for the first time since 2013. In light of its strong results, the company raised its guidance for the year and expects that for 2026, its adjusted per-share earnings will rise between 5% and 6%.
AT&T has also been doing well, as in its Q1 results, revenue was up 2.9% and totaled $31.5 billion. Its free cash flow did, however, fall from $3.1 billion to $2.5 billion, as the company has been investing more in its fiber business.
Overall, both businesses appear to be doing well, and it's hard to say that one is in much better shape than the other.
Which dividend stock is the better buy?
Verizon's stock has performed better since the start of this year, rising by 16% while AT&T's stock is up a more modest 5%. But remember, Verizon's been struggling for a while now, and it's just now recovering after showing signs of progress earlier in the year with encouraging quarterly results. Verizon trades at just under 10 times its expected future earnings (based on analyst expectations), whereas AT&T is at a multiple of just over 11.
All things considered, I'd go with Verizon today. Its yield is slightly higher, and although the growth in its dividend has been modest in recent years, it has at least shown a willingness to grow its payout. And with a slightly lower valuation, that clinches it. Both of these stocks are good options if you want dividend income, but I think Verizon is a more compelling buy right now.
Should you buy stock in Verizon Communications right now?
Before you buy stock in Verizon Communications, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Verizon Communications wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $497,606!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,306,846!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 985% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 200% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.
*Stock Advisor returns as of April 29, 2026.
David Jagielski, CPA has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Verizon Communications. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Verizon Communications vs. AT&T: What's the Better Dividend Stock to Buy Right Now?

Key Points
Verizon just posted its highest adjusted earnings per share growth rate in more than four years.
Management says it is maintaining an "ironclad commitment" to its meaty dividend.
A low valuation and a new share repurchase program make the dividend stock too good to pass up.
Investors looking for income from their portfolio can always appreciate a reliable dividend-paying business. Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) is one of those companies. And more recently, it's been not only rewarding shareholders with a high dividend yield but also with a surging stock price. The stock is up more than 15% year to date, and the company's latest quarterly results reinforced the bull case as new CEO Dan Schulman is helping the company reaccelerate its business and reward shareholders with even more capital as Verizon started executing on an aggressive share repurchase program.
Here's why Verizon's first-quarter results only make the bull case for this dividend stock -- and its 6.1% dividend yield -- even stronger.
Will AI create the world's first trillionaire? Our team just released a report on the one little-known company, called an "Indispensable Monopoly" providing the critical technology Nvidia and Intel both need. Continue »
Earnings growth accelerates
At first glance, Verizon's results may look unimpressive. Revenue grew just 2.9% year over year to $34.4 billion.
But what's impressive is that the company is demonstrating operating leverage. Verizon's net income rose at a faster rate than revenue, increasing 3.3% year over year. And its adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) increased 6.7% year over year to $13.4 billion.
Verizon delivered $1.28 in non-GAAP (adjusted) earnings per share. This beat analysts' estimates and marked the strongest adjusted earnings-per-share growth rate the company has posted in years. And driving home how the company is making progress on profitability, Verizon's adjusted earnings per share rose 7.6% year over year, marking the company's best quarterly year-over-year growth rate since 2021.
"Our first quarter financial results show our disciplined execution is directly translating into operating leverage," explained Verizon chief financial officer Tony Skiadas during the company's first-quarter earnings call. "We are driving financial growth and strong free cash flow even as we undergo a transitional year for revenue.
This earnings momentum came with an important customer milestone. Verizon reported 55,000 total postpaid phone net additions in the first quarter of 2026 -- its first positive first-quarter result on this metric since 2013. That is a sharp reversal from the year-ago period, when postpaid phone net losses totaled 289,000, and suggests the company's efforts to reduce churn and improve customer economics may be working.
Impressive guidance
Management's full-year outlook added to the case that Verizon's turnaround has some traction. Verizon raised its 2026 adjusted earnings-per-share guidance to $4.95 to $4.99, representing year-over-year growth of 5% to 6%. This is a nice uptick from management's previous guidance for 4% to 5% growth.
And moving down to the cash flow that supports the company's dividend, Verizon maintained its outlook for free cash flow of at least $21.5 billion -- a huge figure for a company with a market capitalization of $197 billion.
A mouth-watering capital return program
And speaking of the company's dividend, Schulman noted that Verizon has an "ironclad commitment," so investors should be able to count on it.
Further, this dividend is growing. The company's latest increase was a 2.5% boost, marking Verizon's 20th consecutive year of dividend increases.
Even more, the company's dividend isn't Verizon's only shareholder-return lever anymore. Verizon completed $2.5 billion in share repurchases in the first quarter and remains on track to repurchase at least $3 billion for the full year. The buyback reflects management's "conviction in the value of the stock at current levels," said Skiadas during the company's earnings call.
A cheap valuation
Best of all, the stock is cheap.
Shares currently trade at just 10 times the midpoint of management's 2026 adjusted earnings-per-share guidance.
There are risks, of course. Verizon's debt load is still substantial, and the Frontier acquisition pushed net unsecured debt higher in the quarter. Further, competition from AT&T and T-Mobile remains intense.
But Verizon's lucrative dividend helps offset these risks, as investors are compensated to hold shares while the company dukes it out in the intensely competitive wireless carrier market. In addition, the company's strong quarterly results arguably bolster the bull case.
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Daniel Sparks and his clients have no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Verizon Communications. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

This Stock Has a Mouth-Watering 6% Dividend Yield -- and It's a Buy

The S&P 500 Index ($SPX) (SPY) on Monday closed up +0.12%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average ($DOWI) (DIA) closed down -0.13%, and the Nasdaq 100 Index ($IUXX) (QQQ) closed up +0.01%. June E-mini S&P futures (ESM26) rose +0.14%, and June E-mini Nasdaq futures (NQM26) fell -0.02%.
Stock indexes settled mostly higher on Monday, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 posting new all-time highs. Optimism that demand for AI-infrastructure will remain strong and continue to power technology earnings boosted stocks on Monday. The megacap technology stocks of Alphabet, Apple, Amazon.com, Microsoft, and Meta Platforms all report quarterly earnings this week.
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The broader market saw some downward pressure from Monday’s +2% rally in WTI crude oil prices, which raised inflation expectations. Crude oil prices jumped after President Trump on Saturday canceled planned negotiations with Iran in Pakistan, saying Iran "offered a lot, but not enough" to continue negotiations. Iranian President Pezeshkian said Iran won't enter "imposed negotiations under threats or blockade." Secretary of State Rubio said Iran still wants to retain control of the Strait of Hormuz, and that was "unacceptable" to the US.
However, AI-infrastructure stocks found support on Monday after TF International Securities said that Qualcomm is working with OpenAI and Taiwan’s MediaTek to develop smartphone processors. Also, Micron Technology and SanDisk both received buy ratings from Melius Research. In addition, strength in health insurers was a positive factor for the market.
Stock indexes found support from the Axios report that Iran has given the US a new proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the war, which includes postponing nuclear negotiations. The plan calls for extending the ceasefire so the parties can work toward a permanent end to the war, and nuclear talks would come later, only after a US blockade of the strait is lifted. The White House said Monday afternoon that President Trump is discussing the proposal with national security and foreign policy officials.
The US and Iran are locked in a battle for control of the Strait of Hormuz, with both sides blocking the waterway to gain leverage during an extended ceasefire. The US increased pressure on Iran with its naval blockade as it seeks to get Iran to agree to talks, while Israel and Lebanon are set to extend a ceasefire for three weeks.
WTI crude oil prices (CLM26) rose by more than +2% on Monday after President Trump canceled a planned weekend trip by US envoys to Pakistan and Iran said it won’t negotiate while the US naval blockade of Iran remains in force. The Strait of Hormuz remains essentially closed, threatening to deepen the global energy crisis. The ongoing blockade could exacerbate global oil and fuel shortages, as about a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas transits through the strait. Goldman Sachs estimates that crude output in the Persian Gulf has been curtailed by about 14.5 million bpd, or more than 50%, so far in April, and that the current disruption has drawn down nearly 500 million bbl from global crude stockpiles, which could hit a billion bbl by June.
Kevin Warsh now appears to be on a glide path toward Senate approval as the new Fed Chair after Senator Thom Tillis said on Sunday that he dropped his opposition to the nomination. Mr. Tillis dropped his opposition after the US Justice Department dropped its criminal investigation into the Fed’s overspending on the renovation of its building, in line with Mr. Tillis’ demand. Mr. Tillis views the investigation into Fed Chair Powell as an attempt to force the Fed to cut interest rates. The Senate Banking Committee is due to vote on Mr. Warsh’s appointment this Wednesday and then send the nomination to the full Senate for a vote.
The markets are discounting a 0% chance for a +25 bp FOMC rate hike at the Tue-Wed policy meeting. The markets are expecting the FOMC to leave policy unchanged this week as it awaits further developments in oil prices and inflation.
Earnings season ramps up this week with several Magnificent Seven technology stocks reporting. Earnings results thus far have been supportive of stocks. As of Monday, 80% of the 139 S&P 500 companies that reported Q1 earnings have beaten estimates. Q1 S&P 500 earnings are projected to climb +12% y/y, according to Bloomberg Intelligence. Stripping out the technology sector, Q1 earnings are projected to increase around +3%, the weakest in two years.
Overseas stock markets settled mixed on Monday. The Euro Stoxx 50 closed down -0.39%. China's Shanghai Composite closed up +0.16%. Japan's Nikkei Stock 225 rallied to a new record high and closed up +1.38%.
Interest Rates
June 10-year T-notes (ZNM6) on Monday closed down -6 ticks. The 10-year T-note yield rose +3.6 bp to 4.337%. June T-notes retreated on Monday due to the +2% increase in the price of WTI crude oil, which boosts inflation expectations. The 10-year breakeven inflation rate rose to a 14-month high of 2.457% on Monday. Supply pressures also weighed on T-note prices, as the Treasury auctioned $69 billion of 2-year T-notes and $70 billion of 5-year T-notes.
Demand for Monday’s Treasury auctions was mixed. The 2-year T-note auction saw decent demand, with a bid-to-cover ratio of 2.65, above the 10-auction average of 2.60, while demand for the 5-year T-note auction was tepid, with a bid-to-cover ratio of 2.33, below the 10-auction average of 2.35.
European government bond yields moved higher on Monday. The 10-year German bund yield rose +3.9 bp to 3.033%. The 10-year UK gilt yield rose +6.0 bp to 4.972%.
The German May GfK consumer confidence index fell -5.2 to a 3.25-year low of -33.3, weaker than expectations of -30.0.
Swaps are discounting a 6% chance of a +25 bp ECB rate hike at its next policy meeting on Thursday.
US Stock Movers
Health insurance stocks rallied on Monday to provide support to the overall market. Centene (CNC) closed up more than +4%, and Elevance Health (ELV) and Humana (HUM) closed up more than +3%. Also, UnitedHealth Group (UNH) and the Cigna Group (CI) closed up more than +2%, and Cardinal Health (CAH) and Molina Healthcare (MOH) closed up more than +1%.
Airline stocks and cruise line operators fell on Monday after WTI crude oil rose more than +2%, which raises fuel costs and weighs on corporate profits. American Airlines Group (AAL) closed down more than -3%, and Alaska Air Group (ALK), Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (RCL), and Southwest Airlines (LUV) closed down more than -2%. Also, United Airlines Holdings (UAL), Carnival (CCL), and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd (NCLH) closed down more than -1%, and Delta Air Lines (DAL) closed down -0.37%.
Chipmakers moved lower on Monday, weighing on the broader market. ARM Holdings Plc (ARM) closed down more than -8% to lead losers in the Nasdaq 100. Also, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), Marvell Technology (MRVL), and Lam Research (LRCX) closed down more than -3%. In addition, Applied Materials (AMAT), Microchip Technology (MCHP), NXP Semiconductors NV (NXPI), KLA Corp (KLAC), and Texas Instruments (TXN) closed down more than -2%, and Analog Devices (ADI) and ASML Holding NV (ASML) closed down more than -1%.
Sandisk (SNDK) closed up more than +8% to lead gainers in the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100, and Micron Technology (MU) closed up more than +5% after Melius Research LLC initiated coverage on the stocks with buy recommendations.
Stanley Black & Decker (SWK) closed up more than +4% after its board authorized a $500 million stock buyback program.
Verizon Communications (VZ) closed up more than +1% to lead gainers in the Dow Jones Industrials after boosting its full-year adjusted EPS forecast to $4.95-$4.99 from a previous forecast of $4.90-$4.95, stronger than the consensus of $4.90.
Fortinet (FTNT) closed up more than +1% after Arete double-upgraded the stock to buy from sell with a price target of $104.
Crowdstrike Holdings (CRWD) closed up more than +1% after Mizuho Securities upgraded the stock to outperform from neutral with a price target of $520.
VeraDermics (MANE) closed up more than +46% after reporting that its oral extended-release minoxidil formulation VDPHL01 met all primary and key secondary endpoints with high statistical significance in a Phase 2/3 clinical trial for male pattern baldness.
Organon & Co. (OGN) closed up more than +16% after Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. had lined up a short-term loan to finance its $12 billion acquisition of the company.
Oruka Therapeutics (ORKA) closed up more than +10% after giving positive results from a mid-stage trial of its therapy to treat plaque psoriasis.
Domino’s Pizza (DPZ) closed down more than -8% to lead losers in the S&P 500 after reporting Q1 revenue of $1.15 billion, below the consensus of $1.16 billion.
GE Vernova (GEV) closed down more than -2% after BNP Paribas downgraded the stock to neutral from buy.
Adobe (ADBE) closed down more than -2% after Mizuho Securities downgraded the stock to neutral from outperform.
Earnings Reports(4/28/2026)
Allegion plc (ALLE), American Tower Corp (AMT), Arch Capital Group Ltd (ACGL), Avery Dennison Corp (AVY), Booking Holdings Inc (BKNG), BXP Inc (BXP), Centene Corp (CNC), CMS Energy Corp (CMS), Coca-Cola Co/The (KO), Corning Inc (GLW), CoStar Group Inc (CSGP), Ecolab Inc (ECL), Edison International (EIX), Equity Residential (EQR), Essex Property Trust Inc (ESS), Expand Energy Corp (EXE), Extra Space Storage Inc (EXR), F5 Inc (FFIV), Fair Isaac Corp (FICO), FirstEnergy Corp (FE), Franklin Resources Inc (BEN), General Motors Co (GM), Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc (HLT), Incyte Corp (INCY), Ingersoll Rand Inc (IR), Invesco Ltd (IVZ), Kimberly-Clark Corp (KMB), Mondelez International Inc (MDLZ), NXP Semiconductors NV (NXPI), Omnicom Group Inc (OMC), ONEOK Inc (OKE), PACCAR Inc (PCAR), Pentair PLC (PNR), PPG Industries Inc (PPG), Robinhood Markets Inc (HOOD), S&P Global Inc (SPGI), Seagate Technology Holdings PL (STX), Sherwin-Williams Co/The (SHW), Starbucks Corp (SBUX), Sysco Corp (SYY), Teradyne Inc (TER), T-Mobile US Inc (TMUS), United Parcel Service Inc (UPS), Veralto Corp (VLTO), Visa Inc (V), Waste Management Inc (WM), Welltower Inc (WELL), Xylem Inc/NY (XYL), Zimmer Biomet Holdings Inc (ZBH).
On the date of publication, Rich Asplund did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. For more information please view the Barchart Disclosure Policy here.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Tech Earnings Optimism Powers Stocks Higher

Key Points
Verizon's sales came in lower than expected in Q1, but earnings topped Wall Street's forecast.
The company raised its full-year adjusted earnings growth target to between 5% and 6% -- up from previous guidance for growth between 4% and 5%.
Verizon (NYSE: VZ) stock closed out Monday's trading in the green. The telecom company's share price gained 1.5% in the daily session and had been up as much as 4.5% earlier in trading. The S&P 500 ended the day up 0.1%, and the Nasdaq Composite climbed 0.2% in the session.
Verizon published its first-quarter results before the market opened this morning and reported mixed sales and earnings for the period. With the modest gain recorded in today's session, the stock is now up roughly 16% year to date.
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Verizon beat Q1 earnings despite a sales miss
Verizon posted a non-GAAP (adjusted) profit of $1.28 per share on revenue of roughly $34.4 billion in the first quarter. The company's adjusted profit per share beat the average analyst forecast by $0.07, but sales fell roughly $490 million short of the average Wall Street analyst target for the period. Sales growth of 2.7% year over year in the quarter fell short of analyst's estimate, but stronger-than-expected margins paved the way for an earnings beat that helped support gains for the stock.
What's next for Verizon?
With its Q1 report, Verizon raised its full-year target for adjusted earnings-per-share growth to between 5% and 6%. Previously, the company had targeted annual growth between 4% and 5% for adjusted earnings per share.
Verizon's ability to deliver better-than-expected earnings growth despite softer-than-expected sales in the first quarter was a bullish indicator, and management's decision to raise guidance suggests that positive profit trends will continue. The company also said that it expected postpaid phone net additions for the year to be in the upper half of its previous guidance for adds between 750,000 and 1 million -- supporting a solid performance outlook for the remainder of the year.
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Before you buy stock in Verizon Communications, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Verizon Communications wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $498,522!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,276,807!*
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*Stock Advisor returns as of April 27, 2026.
Keith Noonan has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Verizon Communications. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Why Verizon Stock Gained Today

Key Points
The S&P 500 is up 0.1% while the Dow and Nasdaq-100 are down 0.1% on early Monday afternoon.
About one-third of S&P 500 and Nasdaq-100 members are reporting earnings this week.
The Iran conflict and Strait of Hormuz blockade aren't generating fresh headlines, despite continued tension.
The market is about as flat as it gets today. As of 1:45 p.m., the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJINDICES: ^DJI) and Nasdaq-100 indexes are down by 0.1%. The S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) is up by 0.1%. On average, it's a standstill:
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Monday's handful of reports is just the appetizer
Investors are holding their proverbial breath for a week full of high-impact earnings reports. About one-third of S&P 500 and Nasdaq-100 members are issuing financial reports this week. The Dow leads the way with 11 reports out of 30 components, or 36.7% of the full roster.
But most of the action is coming in a few days. Verizon (NYSE: VZ) started off with a mixed report on Monday morning, representing the only quarterly update among Dow stocks. Domino's Pizza (NASDAQ: DPZ) joined Verizon as an S&P 500 representative, falling just short of Wall Street's headline targets. None of the Nasdaq-100 names issued a report this morning.
Beyond a very light load of earnings reports, the Iran conflict isn't generating fresh headlines. Oil prices have barely moved since last Thursday, the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked, and serious peace talks are still on the back burner.
Five mega-cap reports could shake things up
So this week is off to a quiet start, but that will surely change as the earnings reports pour in. Five of the Magnificent 7 companies are slated to report on either Wednesday or Thursday. Whether they have good news or bad, their presentations will move the market. In particular, investors will look for new evidence of profitable growth in artificial intelligence (AI) services.
And of course, no one knows what will happen in the Persian Gulf this week. Be prepared for sudden market swings in any direction.
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Anders Bylund has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Domino's Pizza. The Motley Fool recommends Verizon Communications. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

S&P 500 Goes Nowhere as Investors Brace for Big Tech Week

Among the underlying components of the S&P 500 index, we saw noteworthy options trading volume today in Uber Technologies Inc (Symbol: UBER), where a total of 65,395 contracts have traded so far, representing approximately 6.5 million underlying shares. That amounts to about 47.3% of UBER's average daily trading volume over the past month of 13.8 million shares. Particularly high volume was seen for the $55 strike put option expiring May 15, 2026, with 29,252 contracts trading so far today, representing approximately 2.9 million underlying shares of UBER. Below is a chart showing UBER's trailing twelve month trading history, with the $55 strike highlighted in orange:
Coterra Energy Inc (Symbol: CTRA) options are showing a volume of 32,485 contracts thus far today. That number of contracts represents approximately 3.2 million underlying shares, working out to a sizeable 45.3% of CTRA's average daily trading volume over the past month, of 7.2 million shares. Especially high volume was seen for the $36 strike call option expiring July 17, 2026, with 10,001 contracts trading so far today, representing approximately 1.0 million underlying shares of CTRA. Below is a chart showing CTRA's trailing twelve month trading history, with the $36 strike highlighted in orange:
And Verizon Communications Inc (Symbol: VZ) options are showing a volume of 114,120 contracts thus far today. That number of contracts represents approximately 11.4 million underlying shares, working out to a sizeable 44.5% of VZ's average daily trading volume over the past month, of 25.7 million shares. Particularly high volume was seen for the $50 strike call option expiring May 01, 2026, with 14,963 contracts trading so far today, representing approximately 1.5 million underlying shares of VZ. Below is a chart showing VZ's trailing twelve month trading history, with the $50 strike highlighted in orange:
For the various different available expirations for UBER options, CTRA options, or VZ options, visit StockOptionsChannel.com.
Also see:
Stocks with Recent Secondaries That Hedge Funds Are Buying
Institutional Holders of XXV
Energy Stocks Hedge Funds Are Buying
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Verizon Communications Inc.

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