Verizon stock drops as FCC loosens phone unlocking rule and traders look to earnings next
New York, Jan 13, 2026, 15:09 EST — Regular session Verizon Communications Inc shares fell 2.4% to $38.89 in afternoon trading on Tuesday, lagging the broader market a day after U.S. regulators eased a long-standing phone-unlocking rule. The change matters because “unlocking” determines whether a handset can be used on a rival network, which shapes how easily customers can switch. Verizon has argued the old timeline made its devices easier to steal and resell, while consumer advocates say faster unlocking lowers switching costs and boosts competition. Late Monday, the Federal Communications Commission revised its rule requiring Verizon to unlock phones