Verizon Communications Inc. $VZ has recently caught Wall Street’s attention, earning a fresh upgrade from Evercore ISI—from “In Line” to “Outperform”—with a raised price target of $48. This shift marks a strong vote of confidence in Verizon’s execution and future direction, especially within its core wireless and broadband segments.
🔹 Momentum in Wireless: Verizon’s Consumer division has shown clear improvement in postpaid subscriber growth, while its Business segment continues to see healthy wireless demand. This performance reinforces the company’s position as a strong competitor in the wireless space.
🔹 Broadband Execution: Verizon is hitting its targets in broadband customer additions, reflecting solid delivery on strategic goals. The buildout of its fiber footprint and rollout of 5G services are beginning to yield measurable results.
🔹 Attractive Valuation & Capital Strategy: Evercore notes that $VZ’s current stock price does not reflect the full value of its wireless service growth or infrastructure investments. With steady cash flow and lower capital intensity projected ahead, Verizon is well-positioned to increase capital returns, including possible share buybacks beginning in 2027.
📊 Dividend Fundamentals:
- 💵 Annual Dividend: $2.71 per share
- 📈 Dividend Yield: Approximately 6.2%
- 🧮 Payout Ratio: Around 65%, suggesting the dividend is both healthy and sustainable
For income-focused investors, Verizon offers a rare combination: a high-yield dividend backed by stable cash flows and a company executing effectively on its long-term strategy. With Evercore now naming $VZ its top pick in wireless, this upgrade adds a strong endorsement for those considering a new position or doubling down.