Key Takeaways
- Verizon shares climbed approximately 4% during premarket hours following better-than-expected Q1 results
- The telecom giant secured 55,000 net postpaid phone additions — marking the first positive first quarter performance since 2013
- Adjusted earnings per share reached $1.28, surpassing Wall Street’s $1.21 forecast
- Company increased its 2026 full-year EPS projection to $4.95–$4.99, up from the previous $4.90–$4.95 target
- Wireless service revenue faced temporary pressure from $20 credits issued following a January network disruption
The telecommunications giant delivered a strong first-quarter performance on Monday that exceeded investor expectations, sending shares higher. Verizon’s stock price climbed approximately 4% before market open, hitting $48.33.
Verizon Communications Inc., VZ
The company reported adjusted earnings of $1.28 per share, comfortably topping the Street’s $1.21 consensus estimate compiled by FactSet. Total revenue reached $34.4 billion, representing a 2.9% increase from the year-ago period, though falling just short of the anticipated $34.8 billion.
While the earnings beat was notable, the real story centered on customer acquisition. The carrier brought in 55,000 net postpaid phone subscribers during the quarter. Wall Street had braced for a decline of approximately 81,000–88,000 customers.
This marks the first occasion Verizon has recorded net postpaid phone customer growth during a first quarter in thirteen years. For a telecommunications provider working to revitalize its wireless division, this represents a significant achievement.
Behind the Customer Growth Revival
CEO Dan Schulman attributed the turnaround to evolving customer priorities. “We are beginning to reclaim our market leadership by putting the customer at the center of everything we do, reducing friction to increase loyalty and create genuine value,” he stated.
The company’s approach included aggressive competitive targeting. Verizon introduced enhanced offers specifically for customers willing to switch from competitors like AT&T and T-Mobile, successfully converting subscribers from rival networks.
Additionally, the carrier has emphasized bundled service offerings — pairing home internet with mobile plans — a tactic AT&T has deployed effectively to strengthen customer retention. Early indicators suggest this strategy is yielding results.
These quarterly results represent the first to incorporate Frontier following the completion of that acquisition on January 20.
One notable challenge: wireless service revenue experienced some pressure from $20 compensation credits distributed to customers after a network outage in January that disrupted service for approximately 10 hours. These credits, issued to hundreds of thousands of subscribers, created a modest revenue headwind.
Improved Full-Year Outlook
Management elevated its full-year adjusted EPS guidance to a range of $4.95–$4.99 per share. This represents an increase from the prior $4.90–$4.95 target and exceeds the analyst consensus of $4.90 at the midpoint.
The company also indicated that total retail postpaid phone net additions for 2026 are now projected to reach the upper portion of its 750,000 to 1 million forecast range.
Though subtle, this upgrade carries weight. Verizon isn’t merely celebrating a single-quarter outperformance — management is signaling sustained momentum ahead.
S&P 500 futures traded largely unchanged on Monday as market participants awaited major technology sector earnings reports.
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