Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) jumped recently after posting earnings. Profit beat estimates and rose year over year, but revenue missed estimates.
The stock still trades at a discount to peers, under 9.5 times forward earnings versus roughly 13x for the group. The question is whether that discount is a gift or a warning sign.
Verizon just posted a strong quarter for postpaid phone net additions in five years, beating ****** yst expectations by a wide margin. Broadband adds stayed strong across fixed wireless and fiber. Adjusted EBITDA hit a record, up 7.2%, pushing margins to an all-time high above 40%.
Management raised full-year guidance for the second straight quarter. EPS growth is now guided to 6-7%, and free cash flow growth guidance got ****** ped to 9-10% from 7% previously. That's a meaningful acceleration from the low single-digit free cash flow growth Verizon posted the last few years.
The dividend looks safe. Free cash flow payout ratio sits under half of what the company generates, and the roughly 6% yield comes with a multi-year streak of annual hikes. Buybacks add another layer of shareholder return: the company is already ahead of pace for the year, and management just raised the full-year target further.
#discount
The stock still trades at a discount to peers, under 9.5 times forward earnings versus roughly 13x for the group. The question is whether that discount is a gift or a warning sign.
Verizon just posted a strong quarter for postpaid phone net additions in five years, beating ****** yst expectations by a wide margin. Broadband adds stayed strong across fixed wireless and fiber. Adjusted EBITDA hit a record, up 7.2%, pushing margins to an all-time high above 40%.
Management raised full-year guidance for the second straight quarter. EPS growth is now guided to 6-7%, and free cash flow growth guidance got ****** ped to 9-10% from 7% previously. That's a meaningful acceleration from the low single-digit free cash flow growth Verizon posted the last few years.
The dividend looks safe. Free cash flow payout ratio sits under half of what the company generates, and the roughly 6% yield comes with a multi-year streak of annual hikes. Buybacks add another layer of shareholder return: the company is already ahead of pace for the year, and management just raised the full-year target further.
#discount
3 months ago
