In the latest trading session, Verizon Communications (VZ) closed at $54.75, marking a +0.33% move from the previous day. This change outpaced the S&P 500’s 0.44% loss on the day. Elsewhere, the Dow lost 0.53%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq lost 0.26%.
Coming into today, shares of the largest U.S. cellphone carrier had gained 5.49% in the past month. In that same time, the Computer and Technology sector gained 4.58%, while the S&P 500 gained 3.59%.
Investors will be hoping for strength from VZ as it approaches its next earnings release, which is expected to be October 18, 2018. In that report, analysts expect VZ to post earnings of $1.18 per share. This would mark year-over-year growth of 20.41%. Meanwhile, our latest consensus estimate is calling for revenue of $32.43 billion, up 2.25% from the prior-year quarter.
For the full year, our Zacks Consensus Estimates are projecting earnings of $4.66 per share and revenue of $130.50 billion, which would represent changes of +24.6% and +3.54%, respectively, from the prior year.
Any recent changes to analyst estimates for VZ should also be noted by investors. Recent revisions tend to reflect the latest near-term business trends. As such, positive estimate revisions reflect analyst optimism about the company’s business and profitability.
Our research shows that these estimate changes are directly correlated with near-term stock prices. To benefit from this, we have developed the Zacks Rank, a proprietary model which takes these estimate changes into account and provides an actionable rating system.
The Zacks Rank system ranges from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell). It has a remarkable, outside-audited track record of success, with #1 stocks delivering an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Within the past 30 days, our consensus EPS projection has moved 0.02% higher. VZ is currently a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Investors should also note VZ’s current valuation metrics, including its Forward P/E ratio of 11.7. This represents a discount compared to its industry’s average Forward P/E of 37.38.
Meanwhile, VZ’s PEG ratio is currently 1.98. This metric is used similarly to the famous P/E ratio, but the PEG ratio also takes into account the stock’s expected earnings growth rate. The Wireless National industry currently had an average PEG ratio of 2.27 as of yesterday’s close.
The Wireless National industry is part of the Computer and Technology sector. This industry currently has a Zacks Industry Rank of 46, which puts it in the top 18% of all 250+ industries.
The Zacks Industry Rank gauges the strength of our industry groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.
Be sure to follow all of these stock-moving metrics, and many more, on Zacks.com.
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
Be the first to comment