Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) Q1 Earnings Beat Expectations, Stock Rises Amidst Competitive Telecom Market

Font: Financial Modeling Prep  • Apr 27, 2026

• Earnings Outperformance: Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) reported an adjusted EPS of $1.28, exceeding analyst estimates of $1.21.
• Revenue Shortfall: Despite strong earnings, the company's total operating revenue of $34.4 billion fell short of the consensus forecast of $34.82 billion.
• Operational Growth & Outlook: Verizon demonstrated subscriber growth in broadband and postpaid phone services, leading to a raised full-year adjusted EPS guidance of $4.95 to $4.99.

Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) is a major telecommunications company based in the United States. It primarily offers wireless services, internet access, and TV entertainment to millions of customers. The company operates in a highly competitive market, with its main rivals being AT&T (NYSE: T) and T-Mobile (NASDAQ: TMUS).

On April 27, 2026, Verizon reported its quarterly results, announcing an adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.28. This figure surpassed the consensus analyst estimate of $1.21 and marked a 7.6% increase from the previous year. Following the news, the stock increased by 3.8% to $48.10, as highlighted by Schaeffersresearch.com.

While earnings were strong, Verizon's revenue did not meet expectations. Verizon reported total operating revenue of $34.4 billion for the quarter. Although this was a 2.9% increase year-over-year, it fell short of the analyst consensus mark of $34.82 billion, showing slightly slower growth than anticipated in the competitive telecom landscape.

The strong earnings were supported by a record adjusted EBITDA of $13.4 billion. This was helped by a 3.1% decrease in selling, general, and administrative (SG&A) expenses, which are the costs of running the business. Operationally, Verizon added 341,000 broadband subscribers and a surprising 55,000 postpaid phone subscribers, showcasing robust operational performance.

In light of its performance, Verizon raised its adjusted EPS guidance for the full year to a range of $4.95 to $4.99. The company's debt-to-equity ratio is 1.92, a key financial metric that compares a company's total debt to the value owned by shareholders. A higher ratio indicates more leverage, which is an important consideration for investors.