Stock Update: Verizon Communications Inc (NYSE:VZ) – Verizon’s Value Proposition in the US Telecom Market

[Market Realist] – As of April 12, 2016, Verizon was the third-largest telecom company by market capitalization in the world. Read more on this. Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ) , with a current value of $212.65B, started the session at $51.80. Looking at today’s market, VZ one day range is $51.79 to $52.17 with a trailing 52-week range being $38.06 to $54.49. Priced at 13.00x this year’s forecasted earnings, VZ shares are relatively expensive compared to the industry’s 4.32x forward p/e ratio. And for passive income investors, the company pays shareholders $2.26 per share annually in dividends, yielding 4.40%. According to a consensus of 26 analysts, the earnings estimate of $1.06 per share would be $0.04 better than the year-ago quarter and a $0.01 sequential increase. Investors should also note that the full-year EPS estimate of $3.98 is a $0.01 setback when compared to the previous year’s annual results. The quarterly earnings estimate is based on a consensus revenue forecast of the current quarter of $32.51 Billion. If realized, that would be a 1.66% increase over the year-ago quarter. In terms of ratings, Bernstein downgraded VZ from Outperform to Mkt Perform (Apr 7, 2016). Previously, Jefferies downgraded VZ from Buy to Hold. The average price target for VZ shares is $52.07, which is 0.52% above where the stock opened this morning. See more in (NYSE:VZ) Similar Articles: Market Update: Verizon Communications Inc (NYSE:VZ) – Verizon (VZ) Stock is the ‘Chart of the Day’ Market Update (NYSE:VZ): Verizon (VZ) Stock Up, Strikes Deal With Cuba Telecom Operator Etecsa Market Update: Verizon Communications Inc (NYSE:VZ) – Verizon Communications (VZ) Stock Rises in Pre-Market Trading on New Network Offer