Key Takeaways:
- Reports Q1 adjusted EPS of $1.28, beating estimates of $1.21.
- Adds 55,000 postpaid phone subscribers, the first Q1 gain since 2013.
- Raises full-year 2026 adjusted EPS guidance to a range of $4.95 to $4.99.
Back
Back
Verizon Stock Jumps 4% on Rare Subscriber Gain and Raised Outlook
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ) reported first-quarter adjusted earnings of $1.28 per share, beating analyst estimates and adding postpaid phone subscribers for the first time in a first quarter in over a decade.
"Our first-quarter 2026 results show that our turnaround is not only progressing, it is gaining momentum," CEO Dan Schulman said in a statement.
Shares jumped over 4% in pre-market trading as the surprise subscriber gain and raised guidance suggest the company's turnaround strategy is taking hold. Verizon now expects 2026 adjusted EPS of $4.95 to $4.99, above the $4.90 consensus.
The addition of 55,000 net postpaid phone customers was a significant beat of Wall Street expectations for a loss of 88,100 and marked the first time since 2013 that the metric was positive in the typically challenging first quarter. The company attributed the performance to healthier customer economics and lower churn.
Citing the strong quarter, Verizon raised its full-year 2026 outlook. The company now expects adjusted earnings per share of $4.95 to $4.99. It also guided for total retail postpaid phone net additions to be in the upper half of its previously announced 750,000 to one million range.
While the company posted a strong beat on earnings and subscribers, total revenue of $34.4 billion was up 2.9% from a year ago but came in slightly below the $34.8 billion analysts had forecast. Free cash flow for the quarter was $3.8 billion, a 4.0 percent increase year-over-year.
The positive results from Verizon set a competitive tone for the telecoms sector this earnings season. Rival T-Mobile (TMUS) is scheduled to report its quarterly results on Tuesday, and investors will be closely watching for a response to Verizon's market share gains.
The positive subscriber numbers signal that Verizon's focus on customer retention and value is yielding results against competitors like T-Mobile. Investors will be watching T-Mobile's (TMUS) earnings on Tuesday to compare performance across the sector.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.
[1] Verizon’s Transformation Actions Deliver Growth & Profitability in 1Q26; Company Raises Adjusted EPS Guidance[2] Verizon lifts 2026 profit outlook after rare subscriber gain[3] Earnings live updates: Domino's stock falls as busy 'Magnificent 7' earnings week begins[4] Verizon lifts annual profit forecast after surprise rise in wireless subscribers
Features
Resources
© 2026 Finture Development Limited. All rights reserved