Verizon (VZ): analysis in plain words
Is Verizon cheap or expensive? How it makes money, whether it grows and its risks, explained in plain words and with its official accounts.
Verizon (VZ) is listed on the NYSE and we classify it in telecommunications. Below are its key dated figures, how it makes money, how it compares with its sector, what works for and against Verizon according to those figures, and the questions people ask most about the stock. No buy or sell tips.
Verizon (VZ) key figures as of November 4, 2026
| Figure | Value | What it measures |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $46.17 | Last price on November 4, 2026 |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 11.8x | Price over earnings per share |
| Revenue growth | +1.5% | Latest quarter vs the same quarter a year earlier |
| Net margin (TTM) | 11.8% | Profit for every 100 of sales |
| Net debt / EBITDA | 3.7x | Years of operating profit to repay debt |
| Dividend yield | 6.26% | Annual dividend over price |
| Market cap | $191.4 billion | What the stock market values it at |
The Verizon figures come from Yahoo Finance, the same source the Fintols analysis uses, retrieved on November 4, 2026. Any VZ figure that is not available shows as N/A: we do not estimate it.
How Verizon makes money
Verizon Communications is a U.S. carrier with two segments. Consumer, the larger, sells Verizon wireless plans and prepaid brands like Visible and Total Wireless, plus Fios fiber and fixed wireless home internet. Business provides wireless, networking and connectivity to enterprises, small businesses and government agencies.
Over the last 12 months, Verizon brought in revenue of $139.4 billion. For every 100 it sells, Verizon keeps 59.8 after the direct cost of what it sells (gross margin) and 25.1 after all operating costs (operating margin). With 93,300 full-time employees, that is about $1 million of revenue per employee.
Verizon against its sector
To know whether a Verizon figure is high or low you have to put it next to similar companies. This table compares Verizon with the median of the 6 telecommunications companies Fintols covers, with data as of November 4, 2026.
| Figure | Verizon | telecommunications median |
|---|---|---|
| P/E | 11.8x | 11.7x (6) |
| Revenue growth | +1.5% | +4.4% (7) |
| Net margin | 11.8% | 9.1% (8) |
| Dividend yield | 6.26% | 4.19% (8) |
| Net debt / EBITDA | 3.7x | 3.7x (8) |
In short, against the typical telecommunications company, Verizon grows more slowly, earns a wider margin and pays a higher dividend yield. By size, Verizon ranks number 1 of 5 telecommunications companies quoted in USD on Fintols.
The bull case for Verizon
What works in favour of Verizon, according to its figures as of November 4, 2026:
- For income seekers, Verizon pays a dividend yielding 6.26% at today's price, using 72% of its profit to fund it.
- Verizon generates real cash: $16.0 billion of free cash flow over 12 months, 8.4% of its stock market value.
- Analysts expect Verizon earnings to rise: its P/E on the next 12 months of estimated earnings is 8.7x, below the current 11.8x.
The main risk for Verizon
Debt is heavy: Verizon carries net debt equal to 3.7x its annual EBITDA. With high interest rates or a weak year, interest payments eat into what it can invest or pay out.
And, like the rest of telecommunications, Verizon is exposed to price wars between operators and the heavy spending its networks need every year.
Frequently asked questions about Verizon
Is it a good time to buy Verizon stock?
Fintols does not tell you whether to buy or sell Verizon, and nobody knows what the price will do tomorrow. What we can show you is where it stands today. As of November 4, 2026, Verizon stock trades at $46.17, 11% below its 52-week high ($51.68) and 19% above its low ($38.68). Its P/E is 11.8x against a telecommunications median of 11.7x, and 8.7x on the earnings analysts expect over the next 12 months. With Verizon, as with any stock, timing matters less than understanding the business, investing for the long run and not betting everything on a single company.
Does Verizon pay a dividend?
Yes. As of November 4, 2026, Verizon pays $2.83 per share a year, which at today's price is a yield of 6.26%. It uses 72% of its profit to pay it. Its average dividend yield over the last five years is 6.20%. The telecommunications median on Fintols is 4.19%.
Is Verizon stock expensive?
It depends on what you compare it with. On P/E, Verizon trades at 11.8x its last 12 months of earnings: in line with the telecommunications median (11.7x). Including its debt, Verizon is valued at 7.3x its EBITDA (EV/EBITDA). A high P/E alone does not make Verizon expensive: it can be justified if earnings grow fast, and a low one can reflect a business in trouble.
Who are Verizon's competitors?
On Fintols we compare Verizon with Comcast, AT&T and T-Mobile, which are also in telecommunications. As of November 4, 2026, Comcast is worth $88.2 billion and trades on a P/E of 7.9; AT&T is worth $147.1 billion and trades on a P/E of 11.7; T-Mobile is worth $168.6 billion and trades on a P/E of 15.3. Each has a side-by-side comparison with Verizon below.
Verizon competitors
- Comcast (CMCSA) analysis · Verizon vs Comcast comparison
- AT&T (T) analysis · Verizon vs AT&T comparison
- T-Mobile (TMUS) analysis · Verizon vs T-Mobile comparison
To understand Verizon better
- How to Read a Balance Sheet: A Beginner's Guide
- Dividend Growth Investing: FCF Payout Ratio and Compounding
More companies like Verizon: telecommunications stocks, S&P 500 companies and S&P 100 companies. Open the full VZ analysis with its valuation and scenarios. Educational content about Verizon, not investment advice.