Stock Update (NYSE:VZ): Led by Verizon And AT&T, Telecom Tops S&P Sectors; Dividends Rule

[at Investor’s Business Daily] – With Verizon Communications (VZ) stock up nearly 17% and AT&T (T) soaring over 14%, the S&P telecommunications services sector is poised to lead the S&P 500’s 10 sectors in Q1 performance. As of afternoon … Read more on this. Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ) , valued at $220.65B, began trading this morning at $54.01. Shares have traded today between $53.92 and $54.26 per share with a trailing 52-week range being $38.06 to $54.37. Priced at 13.54x this year’s forecasted earnings, VZ shares are relatively inexpensive compared to the industry’s 18.05x forward p/e ratio. The company pays shareholders $2.26 per share annually in dividends, yielding 4.23%. In a review of the consensus earnings estimate this quarter, 25 sell-side analysts are looking at $1.06 per share, which would be $0.04 better than the year-ago quarter and a $0.00 sequential decrease. The full-year EPS estimate is $3.99, which would be a $0.00 better than last year. The quarterly earnings estimate is predicated on a consensus revenue forecast of $32.64 Billion. If reported, that would be a 2.06% increase over the year-ago quarter. In terms of ratings, Deutsche Bank Initiated VZ at Hold (Feb 24, 2016). Previously, DA Davidson Initiated VZ at to Neutral. The average price target for VZ shares by the analysts covering the stock is $51.19, which is 5.22% below where the stock opened this morning. See more in (NYSE:VZ) Similar Articles: Market Update (NYSE:VZ): This rural telecom giant is taking the reigns for Verizon’s FIOS network in San Antonio Stock Update: Verizon Communications Inc (NYSE:VZ) – As S&P 500 Turns Positive, Top Sectors Are Also Highest Yielding Market Update (NYSE:VZ): Verizon (VZ) Stock Up, Strikes Deal With Cuba Telecom Operator Etecsa