Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ) experienced a significant pre-market surge of 5.10% following the release of its fourth-quarter 2025 financial results, which surpassed analyst expectations across key metrics.
The telecom giant reported adjusted earnings per share of $1.09 for Q4, beating the consensus estimate of $1.05. Revenue came in at $36.4 billion, exceeding forecasts of $36.06 billion. A major highlight was the addition of 616,000 postpaid phone subscribers, marking the company's highest quarterly wireless subscriber growth in six years and trouncing expectations of 417,250 additions.
Investors reacted positively to Verizon's optimistic outlook for 2026, which includes adjusted EPS guidance of $4.90 to $4.95, above the $4.76 analyst estimate. The company also forecasts annual free cash flow of at least $21.5 billion, exceeding market expectations. These results, achieved under new CEO Dan Schulman's leadership, signal a potential turnaround for the company as it focuses on wireless and broadband convergence following its Frontier acquisition.
