NEW YORK, Jan 13, 2026, 20:44 EST — The market has closed.
Shares of Verizon Communications Inc dropped 2.08% to $39.01 by Tuesday’s close, marking their third consecutive session of losses amid fresh regulatory developments and a turbulent market for defensive, high-yield names.
On Monday, the Federal Communications Commission gave Verizon a waiver from a longstanding rule that forced the carrier to unlock handsets 60 days after activation. The FCC’s order cited concerns that “criminal networks are specifically targeting Verizon handsets” under the current policy, tying the exemption to efforts against device theft and trafficking. docs.fcc.gov
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr described the move as a “uniform industry standard” designed to clamp down on black-market activity, Broadband Breakfast reports. Verizon’s public policy chief, Kathy Grillo, said the change would “end bad actors’ ability to exploit” the rule. On the other hand, Michael Calabrese, head of New America’s Wireless Future Project, slammed it as a “profoundly anti-consumer” decision. Broadband Breakfast
Verizon is now required to comply with the CTIA consumer code on unlocking under the waiver. According to that standard, carriers must unlock postpaid phones once the contract ends or the device is fully paid off (or after an early termination fee). For prepaid phones, unlocking must occur no later than one year after activation, The Verge reported.
Verizon’s drop came as major U.S. rivals also slipped, with AT&T falling 1.85% and T-Mobile US sliding 3.97% on the day. The Dow dipped 0.8%, while the S&P 500 edged down 0.2%, MarketWatch reported.
Macro noise worked against the market. U.S. consumer prices increased as anticipated in December, holding annual inflation steady at 2.7%, with core inflation at 2.6%. Treasury yields dipped following the release, Reuters noted.
Separately, Verizon revealed a tweak to executive pay in a filing this week. The board’s human resources committee adjusted the terms of a $30 million target performance stock unit award for CEO Daniel H. Schulman. Vesting now hinges on performance metrics like adjusted earnings per share and relative total shareholder return — a measure comparing stock gains against a peer group.
Verizon’s next major event is its earnings report. The company plans to release its fourth-quarter 2025 results on Friday, Jan. 30, and will hold a webcast at 8:00 a.m. Eastern, with documents available from 6:30 a.m.
Rates are in focus, too. The Federal Reserve’s policy meeting on Jan. 27-28 spans two days and often moves bond yields sharply. That, in turn, affects sectors loaded with dividends, like telecom.
Policy risks remain clear. Consumer advocates warn that easing unlocking rules could trap customers with their carriers. The debate is far from settled in Washington, where discussions on broader standards are ongoing. Verizon’s waiver faces opposition, despite the company’s claims it’s aiming to reduce fraud.
Wednesday’s session will put telecom shares under scrutiny, with traders eyeing if they hold steady. The FCC’s decision could spark fresh commentary, potentially altering forecasts on customer switching and churn—the pace at which subscribers exit—just before Verizon reports later this month.
