GET DAILY SIGNALSVerizon (VZ) Earnings Preview: Tracking Subscriber Trends in Q3 2026
Key Takeaways
- Verizon Communications (VZ) is scheduled to report third-quarter 2026 results on Monday, October 26, before the market opens.
- Wall Street consensus calls for adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of about $1.27, up from $1.21 in the same quarter a year ago.
- Analysts expect revenue near $34.77 billion, compared with roughly $33.8 billion in the prior-year period.
- Verizon has raised its full-year guidance in each of the past two quarters, fueled by accelerating postpaid phone and broadband net additions.
- The options market is pricing in a move of roughly 4.8% in either direction following the release, reflecting elevated event-driven volatility.
- Get more context on this ticker's Major News, Today's Price Move, Price Targets, and Forecast on Tickeron's dedicated pages.
- Explore Trending AI Robots to see how AI-driven trading strategies are scanning the market in real time.
Earnings Context and Why It Matters
Verizon's third-quarter report arrives at an important juncture for the wireless and broadband provider. The company began 2026 with fresh momentum, delivering its first positive first-quarter postpaid phone net additions since 2013 and following that with some of its strongest second-quarter operating metrics in years. Management has already lifted full-year guidance twice, citing faster mobile and broadband service revenue growth, improved free cash flow, and higher adjusted EPS. I am watching closely to see whether that momentum continues amid promotional pressure in the consumer wireless space and emerging competition from satellite-based wireless services. A third straight quarter of accelerating results would strengthen the turnaround story that has supported the stock's 2026 performance.
Earnings Expectations
Analysts expect Verizon to report adjusted EPS of approximately $1.27 for the third quarter, an improvement from $1.21 in the year-ago period. Consensus revenue estimates sit near $34.77 billion, up from about $33.8 billion a year earlier. These figures follow a second quarter in which the company delivered adjusted EPS of $1.30, an increase of 6.6% year over year, alongside revenue of $34.25 billion.
Beyond the headline numbers, investors will focus on postpaid phone net additions, broadband net additions, and consumer postpaid churn. Management has guided for mobile and broadband service revenue growth approaching 3% in the third quarter and roughly 4% in the fourth quarter. Historical market reactions have been notable: the stock rose 5.84% after the July report and surged 11.83% following January results, underscoring how sensitive shares are to subscriber and guidance trends. I also checked this using Tickeron’s AI Screener to see how VZ compares with peers in the sector.
Market Reaction and Investor Sentiment
Sentiment heading into the report is constructive but cautious. Wall Street maintains a Moderate Buy consensus on Verizon, with a mix of Buy and Hold ratings and a consensus price target around $49.77, implying double-digit upside from recent levels. Options traders are pricing in a roughly 4.8% move after earnings, reflecting the stock's history of sharp, varied post-report swings. The key risk factors investors are weighing include the intensity of promotional competition in the wireless market, the durability of subscriber growth, and the potential long-term impact of satellite-based wireless entrants. Strong subscriber momentum paired with reaffirmed or raised guidance could extend the rally, while any softness in churn or net additions would likely test the stock's recent gains.
Forward Outlook and Key Factors to Monitor
Following the third-quarter release, investors should focus on several themes that will shape Verizon's trajectory through the rest of 2026 and beyond.
First, watch the company's subscriber economics. Verizon has emphasized that it is achieving better net additions at lower acquisition and retention costs, a combination that has driven both adjusted EPS and free cash flow higher. Whether management can sustain this "quality over quantity" approach will be central to the outlook.
Second, monitor guidance. The company has raised its full-year targets in consecutive quarters, including adjusted EPS growth of 6% to 7%, revenue growth of 2.5% to 3%, and free cash flow growth of 9% to 10%. Any further upward revision, or conversely any caution, will carry significant weight for the stock.
Third, keep an eye on capital allocation. Verizon has accelerated share repurchases, raising its full-year buyback target to up to $4.5 billion, while maintaining a quarterly dividend of 70.75 cents per share. Continued free cash flow strength would support this shareholder-return agenda.
Finally, broader industry dynamics, including competition from cable operators and emerging satellite-based wireless initiatives, remain important longer-term factors. As always, this outlook is grounded in reported data and consensus estimates rather than forward-looking price predictions.
Using Tickeron’s AI Tools for Earnings Research
In preparing for earnings season, I often turn to Tickeron’s suite of AI-driven platforms to cross-check sector trends and pattern signals. The AI Screener helps surface comparable names quickly, while the AI Trend Prediction Engine offers an additional lens on momentum. These resources have become a regular part of my workflow when evaluating names like VZ ahead of major releases.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer.
Contributor
Sergey Savastiouk, Ph.D. has a degree in Applied Mathematics from Moscow University and has extensive experience as an entrepreneur, investor, manager, and mathematician. His professional expertise is in applied mathematics, mathematical modeling, system and pattern analysis, and software and hardware system integration. He has served as the CEO of several hi-tech start-up companies and nonprofit organizations, which has given him proven capabilities in business strategy for high-tech start-up companies, market assessment, company formation, team building, product development, marketing, and sales. He has published numerous articles in journals and magazines on related fields. As a retail investor, he spent 15 years developing his proprietary trading and quantitative algorithms (now Tickeron’s A.I.), which brought him significant returns in trading the stock market. His current work and goal in founding Tickeron is to bring professional, sophisticated stock market analysis capabilities to retail investors via an easy-to-use interface.
VZ's RSI Oscillator recovers from oversold territory
The RSI Oscillator for VZ moved out of oversold territory on October 12, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is shifting from a downward trend to an upward trend. Traders may want to buy the stock or call options. The A.I.dvisor looked at 36 similar instances when the indicator left oversold territory. In 28 of the 36 cases the stock moved higher. This puts the odds of a move higher at 78%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The Momentum Indicator moved above the 0 level on October 23, 2026. You may want to consider a long position or call options on VZ as a result. In 38 of 82 past instances where the momentum indicator moved above 0, the stock continued to climb. The odds of a continued upward trend are 46%.
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) for VZ just turned positive on October 16, 2026. Looking at past instances where VZ's MACD turned positive, the stock continued to rise in 27 of 47 cases over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 57%.
Following a +3.83% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where VZ advanced for three days, in 144 of 313 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 46%.
VZ may jump back above the lower band and head toward the middle band. Traders may consider buying the stock or exploring call options.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The Stochastic Oscillator has been in the overbought zone for 1 day. Expect a price pull-back in the near future.
VZ moved below its 50-day moving average on September 21, 2026 date and that indicates a change from an upward trend to a downward trend.
The 10-day moving average for VZ crossed bearishly below the 50-day moving average on September 28, 2026. This indicates that the trend has shifted lower and could be considered a sell signal. In 10 of 22 past instances when the 10-day crossed below the 50-day, the stock continued to move higher over the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 45%.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where VZ declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 48%.
The Aroon Indicator for VZ entered a downward trend on October 20, 2026. This could indicate a strong downward move is ahead for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options.
Fundamental Analysis (Ratings)
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is 16 (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to outstanding earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is 50 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating steady price growth. VZ’s price grows at a higher rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Seasonality Score of 50 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is fair valued in the industry. The Tickeron Seasonality score describes the variance of predictable price changes around the same period every calendar year. These changes can be tied to a specific month, quarter, holiday or vacation period, as well as a meteorological or growing season.
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is 54 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating strong sales and a profitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of 62 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is fair valued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: P/B Ratio (1.786) is normal, around the industry mean (1.855). P/E Ratio (11.630) is within average values for comparable stocks, (-3.989). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (0.830) is also within normal values, averaging (8.005). Dividend Yield (0.063) settles around the average of (0.122) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (1.509) is also within normal values, averaging (5.777).
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 78 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating that the returns do not compensate for the risks. VZ’s unstable profits reported over time resulted in significant Drawdowns within these last five years. A stable profit reduces stock drawdown and volatility. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 83, placing this stock better than average.
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General Information
a provider of wired and wireless telecommunication services
Industry MajorTelecommunications
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