NEW YORK, May 31, 2026, 16:04 (EDT)
Verizon Communications closed down Friday, losing 0.42% at $47.81. Shares are about 1.1% lower than the May 22 close. U.S. equity markets were shut Sunday. The NYSE is open 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern, pausing for Memorial Day on Monday.
The weak showing comes as Wall Street’s big indexes finished the week at fresh highs on Friday. The S&P 500 was up 1.43% for the week, the Nasdaq jumped 2.39%, and the Dow climbed 0.9%, Reuters said. “There’s definitely euphoric sentiment in the market around AI,” Ohsung Kwon, chief equity strategist at Wells Fargo, told Reuters. Reuters
Verizon shares are still moving on old-school subscriber growth under CEO Dan Schulman, not on AI buzz. In April, Verizon posted its first first-quarter net gain in postpaid phone users since 2013. Postpaid phone customers—billed monthly—are Verizon’s main growth gauge. The company also bumped its 2026 adjusted EPS target up to a range of $4.95 to $4.99, before certain items.
Telecoms lagged. AT&T dropped 0.32% to close at $24.80 on Friday. T-Mobile US finished down 0.87% at $187.53. Both stocks sat out the week’s bigger index move, leaving the largest U.S. wireless names trailing.
Company news looks light this week. Verizon’s investor calendar is clear after Schulman’s appearances at J.P. Morgan and MoffettNathanson in May. That leaves investors focused on rates, the tape, and whatever new telecom data drop.
Verizon is “a bit further ahead than I expected in our transformation,” Schulman said at the J.P. Morgan conference, according to a transcript. Bulls welcomed the update, but the stock didn’t keep up this week. Investors remain focused on whether improved customer numbers will lead to steady revenue and cash flow. Seeking Alpha
Competition remains tough. Following Q1 results, Reuters reported Verizon brought new deals and incentives aimed at winning subscribers from AT&T and T-Mobile, hoping to lift its paying customer base. The move is part of an effort to restart wireless growth.
Verizon’s network capacity push is back in the spotlight after the Federal Communications Commission approved the company’s $1 billion purchase of some U.S. Cellular spectrum assets this month. Spectrum is the licensed airwaves used for mobile signals. “This additional spectrum will allow us to better serve our customers,” Verizon senior vice president for public policy and government affairs Kathy Grillo said. Reuters
Verizon faces some clear downside risks. A rise in churn, heavier promo spending, or price pressure from AT&T and T-Mobile could force Verizon to spend more to keep subscriber growth going. Verizon’s investor filings call out competition, execution issues, disruption from AI, inflation, interest expenses, and debt as other key risks.
Verizon shares have traded like a classic dividend telecom lately. Growth names are drawing attention. This week, with nothing big on the company calendar, could show whether investors keep holding on to Verizon’s turnaround or chase faster earnings elsewhere.
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