Verizon Lifts 2026 Profit Outlook Following Strong Subscriber Turnaround

Verizon Communications (VZ) has raised its financial outlook for fiscal year 2026, citing improved operational performance and a recovery in subscriber acquisitions. The telecom giant now projects adjusted earnings per share (EPS) between $4.95 and $4.99, an increase from its previous forecast of $4.90 to $4.95. This upward revision represents a year-over-year growth rate of 5.0% to 6.0%. A key driver of the optimism is the company's retail postpaid phone net additions, which are now expected to land in the upper half of the 750,000 to 1.0 million range—a figure approximately two to three times higher than the results reported in 2025. First-quarter results supported the guidance hike, with consolidated net income rising 3.3% year-over-year to $5.1 billion. Adjusted EPS for the quarter reached $1.28, marking a 7.6% increase. Total operating revenue grew 2.9% to $34.4 billion, while consolidated adjusted EBITDA rose 6.7% to $13.4 billion. Notably, Verizon recorded 55,000 total postpaid phone net additions in the first quarter. This marks the first time the company has achieved positive net additions in the first quarter since 2013, a turnaround attributed to a higher proportion of new customers joining the network. The company maintains its expectation for total mobility and broadband service revenue growth of 2.0% to 3.0%, targeting approximately $93 billion. Following the announcement, Verizon shares rose 3.57% to $48.05 in pre-market trading.