New York, Jan 31, 2026, 04:48 EST — Market closed
- Verizon shares jumped 11.8% on Friday following optimistic profit and cash-flow targets for 2026.
- The company greenlit a $25 billion share buyback and raised its quarterly dividend.
- Traders enter Monday focused on whether the move sticks and how competitors adjust their prices.
Shares of Verizon (VZ) closed Friday at $44.52, jumping $4.71, or 11.8%, on roughly 124 million shares changing hands.
The jump came after Verizon rolled out a bullish 2026 forecast and unveiled a new buyback plan. The company projected adjusted earnings between $4.90 and $4.95 per share for 2026, surpassing the $4.76 expected by analysts, per LSEG data. It also set a free cash flow target of at least $21.5 billion. Free cash flow is the cash remaining after capital expenditures.
Timing is key. U.S. wireless hasn’t seen many big subscriber jumps lately, and promotions can backfire. On the earnings call, Anthony Skiadas called 2026 a “transitional year” for Verizon, as the company cycles through past price hikes while dealing with promotional expenses. The Motley Fool
Verizon reported adjusted earnings of $1.09 per share in the fourth quarter, with revenue hitting $36.4 billion. The company also added over 1 million net subscribers in mobility and broadband. Dan Schulman commented in the earnings release, “Verizon will no longer be a hunting ground for our competitors.” Verizon
A filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission revealed the board declared a quarterly dividend of $0.7075 per share, payable May 1 to shareholders of record April 10. Verizon also authorized a repurchase program of up to $25 billion. The company expects to buy back at least $3 billion of stock in 2026 but retains the option to suspend the program.
Verizon is ramping up its fiber holdings. On Jan. 20, it closed the deal to acquire Frontier Communications Parent, Inc., paying $38.50 in cash per Frontier share, according to a separate filing.
Cable players are in the mix as well. Comcast and Charter Communications renewed their MVNO deal with Verizon — MVNOs rent wireless network capacity from carriers to offer service. Comcast co-CEO Mike Cavanagh described it as “a good arrangement for all parties involved.” Roger Entner of Recon Analytics suggested the cable companies likely “got a better rate.” The report added that these cable operators also have a business-focused MVNO agreement with T-Mobile US set to start later this year. Light Reading
Friday’s gains carried over to other players. AT&T jumped 4.3%, closing at $26.21, and T-Mobile climbed 4.2% to finish at $197.21.
The pop leaves little margin for error. Subscriber gains could stall quickly if competitors counter with similar promotions, while the fiber rollout and Frontier integration might pressure costs before boosting growth. Any early hints of rising churn, weaker demand, or a tougher pricing battle could bring Friday’s rally into question.
U.S. markets are closed for the weekend, so all eyes shift to the open on Feb. 2 — along with any analyst notes that surface then. Key upcoming dates include April 10, the record date for the dividend, and the payout scheduled for May 1.
