On Wednesday, Bernstein analysts maintained their Market Perform rating on Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) with a steady price target of $46.00. The telecommunications giant, with a market capitalization of $182 billion and a notable dividend yield of 6.27%, has shown resilience with an 11.68% year-to-date return. According to InvestingPro analysis, Verizon has maintained dividend payments for 42 consecutive years, demonstrating strong shareholder commitment. Despite a quarter that saw Verizon lose 356,000 consumer postpaid phone net additions, falling short of the consensus estimate of a 256,000 loss, Bernstein looks beyond the initial figures. The analysts pointed out that while a net loss in the first quarter is not uncommon for Verizon, the extent of the loss this time was significant due to intense promotional activities by competitors. With annual revenue of $134.79 billion and a P/E ratio of 10.28x, InvestingPro data reveals the company maintains strong fundamentals despite competitive pressures.
The competitive environment in the telecom sector has been fierce, and Verizon’s results reflect the company’s struggle to keep up with market-leading promotions. The challenges Verizon faced were anticipated by Bernstein analysts, who also noted the impact of DOGE-related issues in the business wireless sector. However, there’s a potential upside as Verizon reported an increase in monthly service discounts (MSD) and a low-double-digit growth in gross adds during March and the ongoing month of April, which was largely attributed to new offers.
In light of these developments, Verizon is holding steady on its full-year service revenue growth forecast, which is projected to be between 2% and 2.8%. This reiteration comes despite the setbacks faced in the early part of the year and reflects the company’s strategic moves to counterbalance the competitive pressures. InvestingPro analysis indicates the company maintains a "GOOD" overall financial health score, with 5 analysts recently revising their earnings estimates upward for the upcoming period.
Verizon’s efforts to adapt and introduce new offers seem to be gaining traction, as evidenced by the recent growth in new additions and service discounts. The company’s determination to maintain its full-year guidance suggests confidence in their strategy and the potential to recover from a challenging first quarter.
In other recent news, Verizon Communications Inc. reported its first-quarter 2025 earnings, with an adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.19, surpassing the forecast of $1.15. The company’s revenue reached $33.5 billion, slightly exceeding expectations of $33.37 billion. Despite these positive financial results, Verizon faced challenges, including a loss of 356,000 postpaid phone subscribers, although the business segment added 67,000 net new phone subscribers. Verizon’s adjusted EBITDA reached a record $12.6 billion, marking a 4% growth year-over-year. Analysts have noted Verizon’s strong financial start to the year, highlighting its ability to drive growth and innovation in the wireless service sector. The company remains confident in achieving its 2025 financial guidance, focusing on expanding wireless service revenue, adjusted EBITDA, and free cash flow. Verizon also continues to progress with its multiyear consumer transformation strategy, emphasizing customer-first connectivity offerings and network expansion.
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