Key Takeaways
- Verizon shares climbed approximately 4% during premarket hours following stronger-than-expected Q1 results
- The company gained 55,000 net postpaid phone subscribers — marking the first positive first-quarter performance since 2013
- Adjusted earnings per share reached $1.28, surpassing Wall Street’s $1.21 forecast
- 2026 full-year EPS outlook increased to $4.95–$4.99 from the previous $4.90–$4.95 projection
- Wireless service revenue experienced temporary pressure from $20 credits issued following a January network disruption
The telecommunications giant delivered first-quarter performance on Monday that exceeded market expectations, triggering a positive investor response. Shares climbed approximately 4% in premarket activity, touching $48.33.
Verizon Communications Inc., VZ
On an adjusted basis, the company reported earnings of $1.28 per share. This result topped the Street’s consensus estimate of $1.21 per share, based on FactSet data. Total revenue reached $34.4 billion, representing a 2.9% year-over-year increase, though falling modestly short of the $34.8 billion projection.
The real story wasn’t found in the earnings figure — it was in the subscriber count. The carrier added 55,000 net postpaid phone customers during the quarter. Wall Street analysts had anticipated a decline ranging from 81,000 to 88,000.
This marks the first instance Verizon has achieved positive postpaid phone net additions during a first quarter since 2013. For a telecommunications company that has struggled to maintain wireless momentum, this represents a significant achievement.
Behind the Subscriber Revival
CEO Dan Schulman attributed the performance to a revamped customer approach. “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 targeting of competitors’ customer bases. Verizon introduced enhanced offers for consumers who presented billing statements from AT&T and T-Mobile, successfully converting subscribers from rival networks.
Additionally, the carrier has emphasized bundled service packages — pairing home internet with wireless plans — a tactic AT&T has employed effectively to improve customer retention. The strategy appears to be yielding results.
The quarterly figures also incorporate Frontier’s business for the first time, following the completion of that transaction on January 20.
One notable challenge: wireless service revenue faced pressure from $20 account credits distributed to customers following a roughly 10-hour service disruption in January. Hundreds of thousands of subscribers received these credits, creating a modest drag on revenue.
Improved Full-Year Forecast
The company elevated its full-year adjusted EPS projection to $4.95–$4.99 per share. This represents an increase from the prior $4.90–$4.95 range, and exceeds the $4.90 analyst consensus at the midpoint.
Management also indicated it now anticipates total retail postpaid phone net additions for 2026 to fall within the upper portion of its 750,000 to 1 million guidance range.
While subtle, this upgrade carries significance. Verizon isn’t merely celebrating a first-quarter win — it’s signaling to the market that sustained momentum lies ahead.
S&P 500 futures showed minimal movement on Monday as investors awaited major technology company earnings releases.
