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On Monday, Citi analysts upheld their Buy rating and $49.00 price target for Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ), despite anticipating a slower onset of sales for the company in 2025. Currently trading at $43.41, InvestingPro analysis indicates the stock is fairly valued. The forecast adjustment comes after Verizon’s management indicated last week a reduction in new subscriptions and an increase in customer turnover rates. With a P/E ratio of 10.5x and strong financial health metrics, the company maintains its position as a prominent player in the telecommunications sector. Citi’s analysis suggests that the entire industry experienced a sluggish start to the year, prompting an intensified first-quarter promotional period to counteract the slow momentum.
Verizon is expected to sustain robust financial results, according to Citi analysts, as recent pricing strategies should continue to contribute positively to service revenue. The company’s strong financial position is evident in its $48.79 billion EBITDA and 60% gross profit margin over the last twelve months. Additionally, a lower device upgrade rate in the first quarter of 2025 is projected to support strong EBITDA figures for Verizon, even with the potential rise in competitive costs. Although the challenge to enhance Consumer postpaid phone volumes remains, following a normalized performance in 2024 with an increase of 82,000 subscribers, Citi forecasts that phone additions will remain above break-even.
The analysts’ continued endorsement of a Buy rating for Verizon is based on several factors. They predict that the company will achieve its financial objectives and highlight the potential for solid free cash flow (FCF) and an attractive dividend yield. InvestingPro data reveals that Verizon has maintained dividend payments for 42 consecutive years, with a current yield of 6.22%. In their view, these elements position Verizon favorably for investors, despite the headwinds faced at the start of the year.
Verizon’s commitment to delivering on its financial targets while managing the balance between customer acquisition and retention is central to Citi’s outlook. The company’s ability to navigate the competitive landscape and maintain financial discipline is seen as a key driver of its investment appeal. The maintained Buy rating and price target reflect Citi’s confidence in Verizon’s strategy and its potential for continued financial success. For deeper insights into Verizon’s financial health and growth prospects, investors can access comprehensive analysis and additional ProTips through InvestingPro’s detailed research reports.
In other recent news, Verizon Communications Inc. is facing scrutiny over its $2.4 billion contract with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for telecommunications network upgrades. US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has urged Verizon to accelerate its efforts, as the contract’s continuation is under review. Meanwhile, Verizon has announced expectations of a slight increase in customer churn for the first quarter of 2025 due to recent pricing actions, with postpaid phone gross additions projected to remain flat or slightly down from the previous year. Despite these challenges, Verizon is confident in meeting its full-year financial guidance, anticipating higher Consumer postpaid phone net additions in 2025 compared to 2024.
Additionally, the Federal Communications Commission ( FCC (BME:FCC)) has granted Starlink, a subsidiary of SpaceX, permission to operate a direct-to-cell service with T-Mobile, a move opposed by Verizon due to concerns over potential service interference. In corporate governance, Rodney E. Slater, a member of Verizon’s Board of Directors, has announced he will not seek re-election at the 2025 shareholder meeting, marking the end of his tenure. This change is part of the natural cycle of board refreshment, and Verizon has not disclosed immediate plans for his replacement. As these developments unfold, Verizon is navigating a competitive telecommunications landscape, with investors closely monitoring its strategic responses and future initiatives.
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