New York, February 2, 2026, 19:19 ET — After-hours
Verizon Communications Inc shares ended Monday up 0.2%, holding steady in late after-hours trading following a report that the carrier is exploring possible replacements for consumer chief Sowmyanarayan Sampath. The stock last changed hands near $44.61.
Verizon shares surged 11.8% on Jan. 30, following its quarterly results and the unveiling of 2026 targets. The buzz comes on the heels of that sharp rerating. Investors have bought into the company’s buyback pledge and an improved profit forecast, stepping away from years of tepid growth.
Verizon hasn’t brought in an executive search firm or started interviewing candidates, according to Light Reading, which cites the Financial Times. The report also notes that Sampath’s departure isn’t certain, and he’s been approached with external job offers.
A Verizon spokesperson refused to comment, calling the report “speculation and rumors.” David Barden of New Street Research warned that ongoing shifts in wireless leadership “is not a positive for the sector” and might hinder Verizon’s plans for 2026. Fierce Telecom
U.S. stocks climbed Monday, with the S&P 500 rising 0.54% and the Dow advancing 1.05%. In the telecom sector, AT&T ticked up 0.34%, but T-Mobile US dropped 1.13%.
Verizon reported adding 616,000 postpaid phone subscribers in the fourth quarter, marking its strongest performance on that front since 2019. The company projects adjusted earnings per share between $4.90 and $4.95 for 2026, excluding certain items, along with free cash flow of at least $21.5 billion. Verizon also confirmed the Jan. 20 closing of its Frontier Communications acquisition, which will broaden its fiber footprint, and revealed an updated MVNO agreement with Charter Communications and Comcast, both of which resell Verizon’s mobile service.
A Jan. 30 SEC filing revealed Verizon’s board has approved a share buyback program capped at $25 billion, with plans to repurchase at least $3 billion in stock during 2026. The company also aims to return roughly $55 billion to shareholders via dividends and buybacks through 2028.
Broker notes are reacting to the shift. On Feb. 2, Wells Fargo analyst Eric Luebchow bumped Verizon’s price target to $44, according to StreetInsider.
Yet, a leadership change in the consumer unit comes amid a strategy that hinges on tighter execution—from pricing strategies to network investments. Should churn rise or promotional costs swell, the stock’s dividend won’t carry the load alone.
Markets kick off again Tuesday, Feb. 3, as investors await a clear signal on the consumer sector and buyback activity. The next key date is April 10, when Verizon stock goes ex-dividend ahead of a $0.7075 payment set for May 1.
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